Hyundai’s Concept Three Revealed, Aims to be Compact EV with Galactic Flair

Hyundai revealed the Concept Three at the 2025 IAA Mobility show in Munich and it’s a car that looks like it came from another planet. This compact electric hatchback is a preview of the upcoming Ioniq 3 and combines bold design with urban practicality.

Measuring 168.8 inches long, 76.4 inches wide, 56.2 inches tall and 107.2 inches wheelbase, the Concept Three sits between Hyundai’s tiny Inster and the larger Ioniq 5. It’s sized to compete with the Volkswagen ID.3 or Kia EV3, perfect for zipping through city streets while having enough room for daily life. Hyundai is clearly focused on Europe’s compact EV market where narrow roads and eco-friendly policies favor smaller, more efficient cars. Production is set for 2026 at Hyundai’s Turkey plant and while Europe is the main target, global ambitions hint at more.

Hyundai calls its exterior design the “Art of Steel” referring to the material’s strength and flexibility. Smooth surfaces wrap around the body with sharp lines that give it a sculpted, liquid-metal look. The “Aero Hatch” silhouette stands out with a streamlined roofline that tapers into a ducktail spoiler and vertical tailgate. The anodized-effect finish in Tungsten Gray contrasts with lemon-tinted glass and matching wheels for a pop of futurism and approachability. The Parametric Pixel lights now have a gradient effect and give the front and back of the car a sense of depth and motion even when stationary.

Step inside, and the Concept Three is Moonbeam Yellow and gray all over with a calming, peaceful atmosphere. Sustainable materials like ocean-waste fabrics and lightweight aluminum foam highlight Hyundai’s eco goals without sacrificing design. The dashboard replaces screens with modular “briquette” displays – small, square components that show important info in a clean, customizable way. It’s a welcome change from the giant screens that dominate most cars today. The seats have seatbelts woven through the headrests and look like they belong in a boutique furniture store, with vintage contours and a cyberpunk twist. A fun creature called Mr. Pix appears throughout the cabin and offers interactive surprises that make every journey feel like a discovery.

Hyundai’s “Bring Your Own Lifestyle” widgets take personalisation to the next level. These movable controls come towards the driver when needed and offer a bespoke experience that feels natural and fun. The cabin’s “Furnished Space” philosophy creates a space that’s less cockpit, more living room – soft, cozy and designed to make you feel relaxed. It’s a big statement and if Hyundai can deliver half of this into production the Ioniq 3 could change what a compact EV interior can be.

Details are scarce on power and range but speculation points to the Hyundai E-GMP platform shared with the Kia EV3. Battery options could be 58.3 kWh for around 260 miles of WLTP range or 81.4 kWh for up to 365 miles. A 400-volt system rather than the 800-volt of larger Ioniqs might keep costs down, with rapid charging 130 kW for a 100-mile top-up in about 20 minutes. The Concept Three also hints at tech like Apple CarPlay Ultra so a seamless digital experience when it hits the road.

Subtle Star Wars references are nice without being too on the nose. The side cameras are Death Star and BB-8, the center console is a speeder bike and the back bumper says “May the downforce be with you”. Hyundai isn’t making explicit references, probably to avoid Disney’s lawyers, but these Easter eggs make the car feel like a love letter to sci-fi fans.

Will it come to the US? The focus on Europe suggests not at least for now. Americans haven’t traditionally loved compact hatches but Hyundai’s track record of taking bold design risks (see Ioniq 5’s retro-futurism) might change that. The Ioniq 3 is £27,000 ($36,000) in the UK so if it does come to the US it could be a nice alternative to more expensive EVs.