Hyundai Ioniq 3: A new member in the South Korean electric family
Hyundai Ioniq 3: First Official Image and Everything We Know About the New Electric Model
Hyundai continues its offensive in the electric car segment and has just given the public its first official look at the future Ioniq 3. The new model promises to become a benchmark in the compact segment, combining avant-garde design with the efficiency of the E-GMP platform.
A Design Inspired by the Future: From Concept to Reality
Although the teaser image published by the South Korean manufacturer focuses on the light signature and the model name, we already know that the general lines are strongly inspired by the Hyundai Concept Three, presented in the fall of 2025 at the Munich Motor Show.
- "Aero Hatch" silhouette: Ioniq 3 will adopt an aerodynamic hatchback profile, with a generous wheelbase in relation to the overall length (approximately 4.28 meters), optimizing interior space.
- The "Art of Steel" language: The concept introduced a minimalist style, with sculpted surfaces and evolved "Parametric Pixel" details, which will also be found on the production model.
- Technology: The Ioniq 3 is expected to use a 400-volt architecture (similar to its platform relative, the Kia EV3), which will allow for lower production costs and competitive price positioning while still maintaining fast charging speeds.
How much will the Hyundai Ioniq 3 cost in Romania?
Although official prices will only be announced closer to the April 2026 launch, we can estimate its positioning within the current Hyundai lineup. The Ioniq 3 will be placed between the new city car, the Inster, and the compact SUV, the Kona Electric.
Hyundai Ioniq 3 price estimate (Romania):
- Starting price: Approximately €32,000 – €35,000 (before the application of subsidies through the Rabla Plus Program).
- Extended range versions (over 500-600 km by current standards) could reach €40,000.
Hyundai Range in Romania: Models, Sales and Prices
Hyundai remains one of the most popular manufacturers on the local market, constantly at the top of Romanians' preferences, especially thanks to the Tucson model, which dominates sales in the compact SUV segment.
Here are the main models available at the beginning of 2026 and their indicative prices:
| Model | Segment / Powertrain | Estimated Starting Price (incl. VAT) |
| i10 | City car (Petrol) | from ~€14,500 |
| i20 | Subcompact Hatchback | from ~€16,000 |
| i30 / Fastback | Compact (Petrol / Mild-Hybrid) | from ~€19,000 |
| Inster | Electric (City Car) | from ~€22,000 |
| Bayon | Urban Crossover | from ~€18,000 |
| Kona | Small SUV (Petrol / Hybrid) | from ~€24,000 |
| Kona Electric | Small SUV (Full Electric) | from ~€34,000 |
| Tucson | Compact SUV (Bestseller) | from ~€27,000 |
| Ioniq 5 / 6 | Premium Electric | from ~€45,000 |
| Ioniq 9 | Large SUV (7-seater, Electric) | from ~€83,900 |
Sales performance: Hyundai occupies a solid position in the Top 5 imported brands in Romania. The success is mainly due to the 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and a diversified offer, covering all types of propulsion: thermal, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric.
Conclusion
The launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 3 in April will mark a key moment for the democratization of electric mobility within the brand. If the spectacular design of the “Three” concept is largely retained, the new model has every chance of stealing customers from the traditional compact segment, offering a modern, technologically advanced and, most importantly, more affordable alternative to the higher-end Ioniq models.