Hyundai offensive in Europe: 5 new models by 2027 and a massive bet on electrification
Hyundai 2027: The offensive of the 5 new models and the rise of the brand in Romania
Hyundai is not just "keeping up" with the transformation of the automotive industry, it seems to have jumped into the fast lane. Jose Munoz, Hyundai's global CEO, recently confirmed an aggressive strategy for the Old Continent: the launch of 5 new models by the summer of 2027.
This move comes on the back of a stellar 2025, in which the South Korean automaker delivered over 600,000 units in Europe, recording a 48% increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales. Hyundai is essentially making the “electric future” an everyday reality, right before our eyes.
5 News for Europe: Ioniq 3 opens the ball
Hyundai's strategy focuses on segments where Europeans are most active, especially the B segment (small/subcompact class). Of the 5 promised models, three will be part of this category, offering efficient and affordable urban solutions.
- Hyundai Ioniq 3: Star of the Year 2026. It will be officially presented in April at Milan Design Week. It is a compact, 100% electric SUV, built on the E-GMP (400V) platform, intended to compete directly with the Volvo EX30. Production will begin in the second half of this year in Turkey.
- The new Inster (and the Inster Cross variant): Already a press hit, this electric "supermini" has been named "Electric Car of the Year 2025" by professional publications and promises unbeatable maneuverability in the city.
- Ioniq 9: A massive electric SUV with three rows of seats, designed for large families who don't want to compromise between space and ecology.
- Next-generation Tucson (2027): Prepared under the new "Art of Steel" design language, this model will likely rely on a full hybrid range.
- EREV (Extended Range EV) model: Scheduled for 2027, this vehicle will use a high-performance battery assisted by a heat engine as a generator, promising a record range of over 960 km.
Hyundai aims for every model in its European portfolio to have an electrified version (hybrid or electric) by 2027.
Hyundai on the Romanian market: Tucson remains the leader
In Romania, Hyundai has consolidated itself as one of the most popular import brands. Its success is largely due to the Tucson model, which dominates the compact SUV segment, but also to the Kona model, which became the second best-selling electric vehicle in the country in 2025 (after the Dacia Spring), with 618 registered units.
Top best-selling models and prices (2026 estimates)
The Romanian market particularly appreciates the features/price ratio and the extended warranty offered by the brand. Here is what the Hyundai "menu" looks like in local dealerships at the beginning of this year:
| Model | Segment | Estimated Starting Price (incl. VAT)* | Key Strengths |
| i10 | City Car | ~ €14,500 | Perfect for urban driving; agile and very easy to park. |
| i20 | B-Hatchback | ~ €16,900 | Cutting-edge technology and a fresh, youthful design. |
| Inster | Electric (A/B) | ~ €18,500 (after subsidies) | Impressive urban range; winner of "2025 Electric Car of the Year." |
| i30 | C-Hatchback | ~ €19,300 | Well-balanced and comfortable; also available as a Wagon. |
| Tucson | Compact SUV | ~ €27,500 | Romania's best-selling SUV; wide range of MHEV, HEV, and PHEV engines. |
| Kona | Crossover | ~ €23,000 (Hybrid) | Bold, futuristic design with top-tier EV performance options. |
| Ioniq 5 / 6 | Premium EV | ~ €50,000 | Ultra-fast charging (800V) and iconic, award-winning styling. |
Hyundai is proving that you don't have to be a luxury brand to set technological trends. With the Ioniq 3 on the horizon and an increasingly green fleet, South Korea seems determined to definitively "electrify" the roads of Europe and Romania.
Why do Romanians choose Hyundai?
- 5-year unlimited mileage warranty: A decisive argument for new car customers.
- Hybrid reliability: The hybrid systems on the Tucson and Santa Fe are considered among the most efficient on the market.
- Intuitive technology: 12.3-inch panoramic screens and Smart Sense assistance systems are present even on mid-range trim levels.
The bet on Europe and the maturity of the brand in Romania
The offensive announced by Jose Munoz is not just a launch plan, but a crucial strategic pivot. At a time when many traditional manufacturers are showing signs of hesitation in the face of the electric transition, Hyundai is pressing the accelerator pedal. The five new models scheduled by 2027 — with a massive focus on the accessibility of the B segment and the Ioniq technology — demonstrate that the South Korean brand has understood the European specifics: customers want smart, green cars, but above all adapted to the urban environment.
For the Romanian market, Hyundai's future seems as solid as the current success of the Tucson model. If so far the brand has convinced with its price-features ratio and reliability, the new generation of electric and hybrid vehicles has the mission to transform Hyundai from a pragmatic alternative into an image and technology leader.
Ultimately, the 18-month period to mid-2027 will be the ultimate test: can Hyundai maintain its 48% growth rate in the EV segment while retaining its loyal customer base to combustion engines? If the predictions come true, the roads in Romania will soon be not only greener, but also much more "Korean".