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With its official debut less than a week away, the Hyundai IONIQ 3 was spotted charging with what appears to be an NACS charging adapter. The new sighting is sparking speculation that Hyundai’s affordable new EV could arrive in the US after all.
The Hyundai IONIQ 3 is an affordable EV, with NACS?
Earlier this week, Hyundai confirmed its first compact EV under the IONIQ branding will make its global debut at the Munich Motor Show, starting on September 9.
Hyundai offered a sneak peek with a few teaser images. Although they were mainly sketches and close-ups, you can see that Concept THREE has a bold new design, featuring a massive rear ring and a sleek, fastback-like profile.
The concept will arrive as the IONIQ 3 in production form sometime in 2026, a smaller, more affordable sibling to the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
Hyundai claims the Concept Three is “a new typology that reimagines the compact EV silhouette,” featuring a fresh take on the “Aero Hatch” design.
Leading up to its debut, we’ve seen a few camouflaged prototypes out testing, but the most recent one reveals a new surprise.
The IONIQ 3 was caught charging in Korea by ShortsCar (via The Korean Car Blog), with what appears to be an NACS port, hinting that Hyundai’s affordable new EV may launch in the US.
Hyundai said the new EV concept reaffirms its commitment to the European market, with no mention of North America or plans to launch in the US. However, with an NACS port, it would only make sense, right? Not exactly.
Kia, Hyundai’s sister company, is launching the EV5 in Europe and North America, but not in the US. The company announced the EV5 will be exclusively sold in Canada for the North American market. In Canada, it will feature an NACS port, so until we hear the official word, it’s still speculation at this point.
The new entry-level model will sit between the Inster EV and Kona Electric in Hyundai’s lineup. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but it’s expected to start at around £25,000 ($33,700), or slightly less than the Kona.
Like nearly every Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicle, it will be based on the E-GMP platform. It will likely be available with 58.2 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs, offering WLTP ranges of 260 miles and 365 miles, similar to the Kia EV3.
The interior, on the other hand, will bring several upgrades from Hyundai’s current models. It’s expected to debut with Hyundai’s powerful new Pleos infotainment system, which will offer a smartphone-like interface.
We will get our first look at the Concept THREE next week at IAA Mobility 2025. Check back on September 9 for all the details from Hyundai’s press conference.
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