Car review: Hyundai Elexio Elite

Posted 3 October, 2026 Mark Borlace

Hyundai’s reputation for selling competitively priced, quality cars with plenty of features has extended into its EV range with the new Elexio – a family-focused, all-electric medium SUV.

In the Hyundai range, the Elexio Elite sits between the Kona Electric and IONIQ 5, and at $59,990 drive-away, it’s very competitive with similar-sized cars such as the Tesla Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Toyota’s bZ4X. Hyundai turned to China to build the Elexio in an effort to compete with the flood of Chinese-branded electric SUVs arriving in Australia.

And it’s evident, with all the tech Hyundai has included in the car. It begins with a 250-volt vehicle-to-load three-pin power outlet in the cargo area, which means you have power for appliances up to 3.6kW.

There’s also Over-the-Air Hyundai software and firmware updates, Bluelink connected car services and a digital key for smartphone entry and start. Similar to many vehicles these days, one part of the tech left behind is the reception for AM stations on the radio.

Features

Creature comforts include leather-appointed front seats that are power-adjustable, heated and ventilated. The driver has a heated leather steering wheel, and there’s dual-zone climate control, two wireless charging pads, and five USB-C ports.

In addition to the five-year standard new-car warranty, Hyundai provides an extended warranty for up to two more years when all servicing is done by Hyundai.

The Hyundai Elexio shares technical DNA with the Kia EV5. However, unlike the EV5, the Elexio has an ultra-thin 27-inch display presenting key information in parallel with a head-up display cluster.

The bulk of the screen is annoyingly on the left side of the dash and is hard to read, which can make it slightly finicky and distracting to use. The information shown on the head-up display is minimal, also hard to read and doesn’t include basic information such as indicator arrows or high-beam and headlight icons. Instead, you have to look across at the display.

While the tech design can be somewhat disappointing, the Elexio makes up for it with interior design. Inside, it’s a roomy five-seater, with good luggage space, a flat floor and plenty of storage cubbies.

On the road

The Elexio shares its 400-volt underpinnings with the Kia EV5, but has bespoke Australian suspension and steering tunes, and this is evident in its superb, refined ride and handling.

The cabin is quiet across most road surfaces, with nothing more than the faint whirr of the electric motor. At lower speeds, a sci-fi-like external sound is generated to warn pedestrians.

Elexio Elite features a 160kW motor, however acceleration of the 2.1 tonne vehicle, via the front-wheel drive, can only be rated acceptable, and there is periodically a bit of a lag when taking off.

Having a large 88.1kWh LFP battery provides drivers a 546km range, with the system using a heat pump for warming the cabin to preserve energy in cold weather; at a consumption rate of 18.2kWh per 100km, this is required.

Hyundai claims a 150kW fast charging speed, which will see the battery go from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 38 minutes.

Overall, the Elexio drives well and is solid value for those looking for a practical family-friendly EV SUV.