Hyundai is set to expand its electric vehicle footprint in India with a sub-4-metre electric SUV offering cutting-edge technology to appeal to value buyers. The latest in a series of spy photos of the heavily-disguised prototype, which goes by the internal codename HE1i, has emerged online. The photos confirm that the HE1i is already undergoing public road and charging tests. The images provide the first detailed look at the interior and exterior of the upcoming compact EV.
Within India, the HE1i will be a home-grown model developed on the E-GMP (K) platform, the cheaper variant of the E-GMP architecture shared with the global Inster EV. It will be built at Hyundai Motor Company’s Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu, with an emphasis on locally-sourced parts, including batteries. This strategy should allow Hyundai to balance entry-level pricing and premium specification, while directly taking on the Tata Punch EV and Nexon EV.
Previewed in the latest photos, the HE1i adopts sequential turn indicators and a boxy upright design language common to sub-4-metre crossovers. More importantly, the interior photos show off components of Hyundai’s next-generation connected car platform, Pleos Connect. Based on the Android Automotive OS, Pleos Connect offers a smartphone-style UI, multi-window support, AI-powered voice assistants, OTA updates and unified Pleos ID system across platforms. Reportedly, the HE1i will showcase a large central infotainment screen and a digital cluster, although exact sizes and features specific to each trim will be revealed closer to launch. Hyundai has confirmed that its upcoming mainstream EV will feature a next-generation connected infotainment system.
The HE1i is expected to offer Level 2 ADAS driving assistance as standard, making it one of the most safety-focused EVs in India. Available in both standard-range and long-range variants, the HE1i’s battery pack capacity is likely to be in the vicinity of 42 kWh to 51 kWh, with aWLTC range of up to 450 km claimed for the longest-range variant. Final figures, along with power figures for the electric motor(s) and actual driving ranges, are set to be revealed closer to the launch, as the HE1i is expected to differ in several key areas from the international Inster EV due to certification, tuning and battery requirements specific to India.
The HE1i is set to arrive in India by the end of 2026, earlier than some reports suggested that forecast its 2027 launch. A formal unveil is likely to take place in the final quarter of 2026, with sales following shortly after. In terms of pricing, the HE1i is expected to be aggressively priced to compete in the ultra-competitive value EV segment, though exact figures are yet to be released.
The HE1i represents a major opportunity for Hyundai in India, as the company looks to offer a compelling mix of a dedicated electric platform, connected car technology like the Pleos Connect infotainment system, Level 2 ADAS and significant local production to offer true value. As testing progresses, the HE1i is sure to attract considerable attention as one of the most anticipated new EVs on the horizon.