TL; DR
- Hyundai’s sub-4m electric SUV, codenamed HE1i, was spied testing with Pleos Connect infotainment.
- Expected specs include a 40-50kWh battery, ~450 km range, and Level 2 ADAS features.
- Pricing is expected to start under ₹10 lakh, directly rivaling the Tata Punch EV.
Hyundai is gearing up for one of its most exciting launch years in a while. The automaker has already confirmed 26 new car launches and major nameplate updates in India over the next four years (by 2030). Of these, three cars could go official soon: the Bayon-based SUV, the next-generation Creta, and the recently spied sub-four-meter electric SUV.
Believed to be codenamed HE1i internally, this could be the Korean automaker’s mass-market EV that competes with Tata’s Punch EV. This time, the spy photographer got a clear look inside the cabin. What makes the spotting interesting is Hyundai’s newer Pleos Connect Infotainment system in a budget-focused EV, no less.
Also Read: Kia Just Showed India Its First Flex-Fuel Car, But You Can’t Buy One Yet
What Pleos Connect Actually Brings To A Cheap Car
Hyundai’s next-generation Pleos Connect debuted on the Grandeur (flagship sedan) in Korea. Afterward, it trickled down to the Ioniq 3 (premium EV), Elantra (sedan), and Tucson (premium SUV sitting above the Alcazar). You see? These models don’t exactly belong to the premium or mass-market segment.
The idea is simple. The Pleos Connect system features a larger central touchscreen (17-inch) paired with a relatively smaller driver-facing display (9.9-inch) to cut through information overload. On the driver’s cluster, the system shows only what matters: speed, range, and efficiency.
While the smallest 9.9-inch driver’s screen is visible in the spy shots, the 17-inch central screen is camouflaged. Even so, reports remain confident that it’s the Pleos Connect system, as Hyundai India has already confirmed it’s coming to an upcoming EV.
The Catch Worth Watching Out For
Hyundai has started making that smaller 9.9-inch driver display an optional accessory on base variants of some global nameplates. Given how price-sensitive the sub-4-meter SUV segment is in the country, the full Pleos package could be reserved for higher trims.
Beyond the screens, the mass-market EV is rumored to feature wireless Android Auto and CarPlay, automatic climate control, a sunroof, and ventilated front seats. Again, some of these features could be reserved for higher trims, so don’t expect them on the entry-level trim below ₹10 lakhs (ex-showroom).
| Feature | Hyundai HE1i (Spied) |
| Codename | HE1i |
| Segment | Sub-4m electric SUV |
| Rival | Tata Punch EV |
| Infotainment | Pleos Connect (17-inch main + 9.9-inch driver display) |
| Turn Signals | Sequential |
| Expected Battery | 40-50kWh |
| Claimed Range | ~450 km |
| Platform | E-GMP (K) derivative |
| Expected Safety | Up to 7 airbags, Level 2 ADAS, 360° camera |
| Expected Price | Under ₹10 lakh |
| Launch Window | Late 2026 or early 2027 |
Also Read: Car Sales August 2026: These Were The Top Brands In India Last Month
I think the real story here is Hyundai’s willingness to trickle premium features into a sub-₹10 lakh EV with 450 km of claimed range and Level 2 ADAS, something that could genuinely reshape what buyers expect at this price point. The variant offering both features, however, could be priced closer to ₹12-13 lakh (ex-showroom), depending on the battery size.
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