Hyundai is testing a new compact electric SUV that looks nearly identical to the Kia EV2. The new EV was spotted charging in public ahead of its upcoming debut.

After Kia opened EV2 orders in Europe last week, starting at just €26,600 ($30,500), Hyundai is preparing to launch its own compact electric SUV.

The mysterious new EV has been spotted testing in public a few times now. We got our first look at it earlier this year after a prototype was caught driving near Hyundai’s Sriperumbudur plant in Chennai, India, or the “Detroit of Asia,” as it’s often called.

While Hyundai has yet to reveal any details, the vehicle was labelled with an “HE1” tag, believed to be the IONIQ 1’s codename.

Hyundai’s previous electric vehicles, like the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, were labelled “ME” and “NE” with the “E” indicating they are based on the dedicated E-GMP platform.

More recently, a camouflaged prototype was spotted at a charging station in Gwangju, South Korea, by reporter Jo Jae-hwan. Although it’s still covered, the boxy, upright design appears to be nearly identical to the Kia EV2.

I found this camouflaged Hyundai's electric small suv here in S.Korea. Seems like this car is strategically designed for India. pic.twitter.com/Qx9X6BFf2e

— Jaehwan Cho 조재환 (@hohocho) March 27, 2026

The charging port is located on the front passenger side, similar to the Syros EV Kia is preparing to launch in India by the end of the year.

Hyundai has already confirmed plans to launch its first locally produced electric SUV in India by 2027, so the new EV could be a strategic model for the region.

Will we see it in other markets? Earlier this month, we got a brief look at the interior after a prototype was caught driving in Korea with what appears to be Hyundai’s new Pleos Infotainment system, further suggesting it could be the IONIQ 1.

We should learn more soon, with an expected debut by the end of the year. In the meantime, the IONIQ 3, Hyundai’s entry-level electric hatch, will make its official debut next month at the 2026 Milan Design Week.