Hyundai is testing a small electric SUV. The name Ioniq 4 remains uncertain.
In October 2026, a disguised prototype of a small Hyundai electric vehicle was spotted in South Korea. The car could hit the market as the Ioniq 4, though earlier reports suggested the name Ioniq 1. The manufacturer has yet to confirm either the name or the technical specifications.
Hyundai has just opened pre-orders for the Ioniq 3 in the UK and Europe, yet it is already testing another small electric car. This time, it isn’t a sleek hatchback. A video posted by ShortsCar shows a vehicle with a vertical silhouette, short overhangs, and a body style closer to that of a classic SUV.
We saw the same prototype in March
The car from Korea looks very similar to the prototype photographed in March 2026. The images were published by China’s Autohome, and the vehicle was labeled with the test code HE1. Based on this, there is a hypothesis that Hyundai is preparing the Ioniqa 1 rather than the Ioniqa 4.
The “E” suffix may suggest the use of the E-GMP platform. Earlier prototypes of the Ioniqa 5 and Ioniqa 9 were labeled NE and ME respectively. However, the code HE1 alone does not determine the car’s commercial name. Previous short footage of the interior also showed the Pleos Connect multimedia system that Hyundai is developing for its new models.
The Korean manufacturer announced in August, during the CEO Investor Day, 100 new or refreshed vehicles by 2030. The plan includes 58 models for North America, 49 for South Korea, 41 for Europe, and 26 for India. Among the announced vehicles are an electric A-segment SUV for India, a global B-SUV, and another B-SUV targeted at Europe.
The Ioniq 3 is the first compact electric vehicle in the Ioniq family designed and produced with Europe in mind. However, the test model has noticeably more boxy proportions and may be positioned closer to the Kia EV3.
Kia EV3 hints at possible specifications
If the small Hyundai is indeed technically related to the EV3, batteries with capacities of 58.3 and 81.4 kWh are in consideration. Kia claims ranges of up to 344 and 497 km under WLTP testing with these batteries. The American specification lists batteries of 58.2 and 81.4 kWh, with maximum EPA-rated ranges of 221 or 321 miles.
This is currently just a reference point, as Hyundai’s specifications have not been confirmed. However, prototypes are already being tested in various countries, so the next step should be the revelation of its name and target market. Only then will it become clear whether we’re looking at a European version of the Ioniq 4, a smaller Ioniq 1, or two separate projects.
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