Baby Hyundai electric car spied: 2027 Hyundai Ioniq 1 is a new entry-level EV set to challenge the BYD Atto 2, Chery E5, GWM Ora 5 and Leapmotor B10

2027 Hyundai Ioniq 1 spied prototype (Image: Team-BHP.com)

Hyundai hasn’t even revealed the small Ioniq 3 yet, but the South Korean carmaker appears to be working on something even tinier.

As reported by Chinese publication Autohome via Indian forum site Team-BHP.com, a camouflaged prototype of what is tentatively being called the Hyundai Ioniq 1 has been spied in India.

It has a boxy SUV silhouette, a split headlight set-up with Hyundai’s ‘Parametic Pixel’ daytime running light (DRL) motif and an illuminated brand logo, flush door handles, plus a virtually non-existent rear overhang.

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It appears this forthcoming vehicle will be less than 4.0 metres long and could be aimed at developing markets, like India. Vehicles under 4.0 metres long receive tax breaks in India as they have a smaller footprint and are generally more fuel efficient than larger cars.

Autohome speculates production of the Ioniq 1 could be based in India, though it’s unclear whether export markets are on the cards.

No details on the electric powertrain or the platform have been detailed yet.

Once the Hyundai Ioniq 1 does go on sale it will go up against the likes of the Mahindra XUV3XO EV, plus the Tata Nexon EV and speculated Suzuki Fronx EV in India.

2027 Hyundai Ioniq 1 spied prototype (Image: Autohome via Team-BHP.com)

It’ll also likely form as an electric counterpart to the Venue small SUV which was recently launched in new-generation guise in India.

Autohome speculates the Ioniq 1 could also be offered in markets outside of India. If this is the case, Europe would be a likely candidate as a number of tiny, entry-level electric vehicles (EVs) are popping up from many carmakers.

However if the Ioniq 1 is exported to other markets, like Australia, it would likely be more of a budget alternative to the Korean-made Inster. It would also go up against the likes of the BYD Atto 2, GWM Ora 5 and the Leapmotor B10.

It’s expected the reveal of the Ioniq 1 will follow after the Ioniq 3, which is being unveiled in April.

As previously reported, the Ioniq 3, as previewed by the 2025 Concept Three, will likely adopt a fastback-style hatchback look. It’ll likely almost be a new and electric take on the Veloster hatchback.

It’s likely to be built on a version of the Hyundai E-GMP platform like the larger Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9.