Hyundai IONIQ 7 SUV takes shape

As Hyundai seeks to become a global leader in the EV game, it’s deploying a phalanx of eye-popping electric cars in almost every vehicle segment – and soon it will have a large battery-powered SUV to take on the Tesla Model X.

The IONIQ 7 was teased last month in a Tweet from Hyundai and looks set to deliver a striking design not unlike the retro-themed IONIQ 5, with a radical headlight array.

Now the crew at GotchaCars has used the teaser images to render what they think the large electric SUV will look like when it lobs in a couple of years.

The Hyundai IONIQ 7 is locked in for global release in 2024, executives have told carsales, when it will join the just-released IONIQ 5 mid-size SUV and the IONIQ 6 mid-size sedan coming in 2022.

Details are scarce but the new Toyota Kluger-size vehicle will be a three-row family SUV set to be offered in six- and seven-seat configurations.

Based on a stretched version of the same E-GMP platform that will underpin all IONIQ electric vehicles, the IONIQ 7 is tipped to get a higher-capacity battery than the IONIQ 5’s 72.6kWh lithium-ion pack. A circa-100kWh battery is expected in order to offset the longer wheelbase and extra weight.

This could provide a real-world electric driving range of up to 500km and, given the E-GMP’s advanced 800V charging capability, the big SUV will be able to take advantage of 350kW ultra-fast chargers to ensure very quick refuelling.

Other features are likely to include an augmented reality head-up display and video camera-based side mirrors. Level 3 autonomous driving capability may also be on the cards.

Hyundai’s strategy for its IONIQ electric sub-brand appears to target key Tesla models at this stage, starting with the Tesla Model Y-rivalling IONIQ 5, which will be followed by the Tesla Model 3-fighting IONIQ 6 in 2022.

And by 2024 the Tesla Model X electric SUV will get a high-tech competitor in the form of the IONIQ 7.

Hyundai is also plotting a sub-$25,000 entry-level EV by the end of the decade.

But which IONIQ model will be the best-selling? Hyundai Australia’s product planning manager Chris Saltapidas told carsales it’s too early to say at this stage – although the IONIQ 5 is the firm favourite for now.

“It’s a bit volatile at the moment to try and pick a sweet spot as to which model will potentially be the best-seller in the IONIQ range,” he said.

“The market is so dynamic at the moment; you would have seen the EV uptake from last year is incredible year to date, considering both 2020 and 2021 we had lockdowns.”

Off a low base, EV sales increased by 190 per cent to September 2021 in Australia, excluding vehicles sold by Tesla – easily the nation’s most popular EV brand.

Hyundai has a lot of work ahead if its plans to catch up to Tesla’s dominant sales position in the EV market, but is confident it will become a genuine rival for the game-changing Californian auto brand led by billionaire Elon Musk.

The new IONIQ EVs will have “…a massive impact as to how people perceive our brand and also how

they perceive electric vehicles in general,” said Saltapidas.

“After IONIQ 5 we’ll launch IONIQ 6 based on our Prophecy concept, then later on we’ll launch IONIQ 7, a large electric SUV.

“It is our response to fast-growing market demand and accelerates our plan to lead the global EV market,” declared Hyundai’s local product planning chief.