China-Only Hyundai Elexio Boasts BYD Batteries & 700 KM Range

Hyundai’s latest electric SUV, the Elexio, is gearing up for launch in China. The EV is being developed under the Korean carmaker’s joint venture with BAIC, known as Beijing Hyundai. With the sales license application now filed under China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), several key specifications and product details have surfaced.

The Hyundai Elexio is a five-seater SUV, measuring 4,615 MM long with a 2,750 MM wheelbase, 1,875 MM wide and 1,673 MM tall. Two powertrain options will be available: front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD).

The FWD variant weighs in at 2,039 KG and is powered by a single 160 kW (215 HP) motor. The AWD version adds a 73 kW (98 HP) rear motor, delivering a combined 233 kW (312 HP) and a curb weight of 2,184 KG.

Both share the same lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack supplied by FinDreams, a subsidiary of BYD. While the exact battery capacity hasn’t been disclosed, Hyundai claims the Elexio can deliver up to 700 KM of range under CLTC conditions (approximately 540 KM WLTP).

The Elexio made its first public appearance at Auto Shanghai 2025, but Hyundai held back on revealing specifications at the time. A global reveal followed on May 8, positioning the model as part of Hyundai’s broader electrification strategy.

Built on Hyundai’s dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP base), the Elexio marks a renewed push by foreign joint ventures to remain competitive in China’s fast-moving EV market. Beijing Hyundai has confirmed that more EVs, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and extended-range hybrids (EREVs) will follow over the next two years.

The Elexio is expected to go on sale in Q3 2025, with pricing anticipated around RMB140,000 (RM91,000). For now, it remains a China-only model.

However, given Hyundai’s current strategy in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, where CKD operations are set to focus only on internal combustion (ICE) and hybrid models, there seems to be a compelling case to consider a right-hand-drive (RHD) version of the Elexio for markets beyond China.

With competitive specifications and proven BYD battery tech, the Elexio could be a serious contender in Malaysia, where Chinese EV brands like BYD and local players like Proton are rapidly gaining ground.

Unlike Hyundai’s pricier Korean CBU EVs, which have struggled to gain traction locally due to high pricing and less favourable spec-to-value ratios, a well-positioned Elexio might finally offer Hyundai the foothold it needs in the mainstream EV segment.

Source: CarNewsChina