Hyundai's Sub-4m Electric SUV Spied: Diwali 2026 Punch EV Killer Incoming
Hyundai's upcoming sub-4-metre electric SUV, internally codenamed HE1i, has been spotted testing in South Korea. The model is part of Hyundai's plan to launch 26 new vehicles by FY2030 and is expected to reach Indian showrooms around Diwali 2026 or early 2027, taking direct aim at the Tata Punch EV.
What was announced
Hyundai has confirmed plans to introduce 26 new models in India by FY2030, with two new SUVs slated for the current financial year. One of these is the subcompact electric SUV codenamed HE1i, which will sit below the Creta Electric and rival the Tata Punch EV, MG Comet and the upcoming Maruti e-Vitara's smaller siblings.
If Hyundai prices the HE1i under Rs 12 lakh on-road loaded, the Punch EV finally has a problem it cannot out-discount.
The latest test mule was spotted in South Korea, following multiple earlier sightings. Despite heavy camouflage, the silhouette mirrors the globally sold Hyundai Inster EV: tall, boxy and upright, with a flat body side. Top-mounted LED DRLs sit high on the bonnet line, while split headlamps are positioned lower, just above the bumper, a layout shared with the Creta Electric and Exter.
The front fascia is expected to carry a closed-off grille typical of EV-specific Hyundai models, along with aero-optimised wheels and flush door handles. Inside, expect a dual-screen layout, connected car tech via Bluelink, and ADAS features on higher trims, mirroring the kit on the Exter and Venue. Battery options have not been confirmed, but the Inster's 42 kWh pack delivering around 355 km WLTP is the likely reference point for the top variant, with a smaller pack for the entry trim. Launch is targeted for Diwali 2026, with deliveries likely stretching into early 2027.
The Car Jury verdict
This is the EV India actually needs from Hyundai. The Creta Electric, which The Car Jury rates a clear BUY, proves Hyundai can do battery-electric properly; a sub-4m version priced near the Punch EV would finally give the segment a real fight. The Inster-derived shape, closed grille and split-lamp face should give it more presence than the boxy Punch.
As Rachit Hirani of MotorOctane notes on Hyundai's broader EV cadence, the brand is sequencing launches tightly through 2026, and Faisal Khan of FasBeam has repeatedly flagged how Hyundai retrofits modern platforms onto older silhouettes. Buyers eyeing a Punch EV or a base Venue should hold off until pricing lands. If Hyundai stays under Rs 12 lakh on-road for the top trim, this becomes the default small EV recommendation.
