A disguised IONIQ 6 was spotted near Hyundai’s R&D hub in Europe, revealing much more than a standard refresh model.
Hyundai tests upcoming SDV with the IONIQ 6
After introducing its advanced new infotainment system, Pleos Connect, last month, Hyundai said it was the first major step in the company’s transition from a standard automaker to a “software-centric mobility leader.”
The system is similar to what’s found in Tesla models, with apps and a customizable layout, making it easier to find what you need, like a smartphone.
Hyundai’s setup includes two main screens. The larger central touchscreen is divided into three sections: driver information on the right, navigation and other apps on the right, and your recently used apps pinned to the bottom bar.
Unlike Tesla, Hyundai Pleos Connect includes an additional, smaller display in front of the driver that provides helpful info like speed, media, and turn-by-turn directions, so you don’t have to check the infotainment system.
Another difference is the addition of physical buttons for climate control and other functions located under the infotainment screen and on the steering wheel.
Hyundai’s Pleos Connect debuted on the new Grandeur in Korea this month and will continue to roll out to new vehicles, including the IONIQ 3 EV. By the end of the decade, the company plans to equip about 20 million Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles with the new Pleos Connect system.
The new infotainment system is Hyundai’s “first tangible step” toward an SDV architecture, which will unlock another level of in-car features.
It appears Hyundai is already testing it out with its first SDV due out next year. New spy images from SH Proshots (via TheKoreanCarBlog) reveal an IONIQ 6 prototype fitted with the new Pleos Connect infotainment system inside.
The exterior looks about the same as the updated model launched last year, but the interior has an added infotainment screen over the standard one, which was shown running Hyundai’s Pleos Connect system.
With Hyundai planning to launch its first fully connected software-defined vehicle in late 2027, we should learn more soon, with prototypes out for testing.
The new Pleos Connect will also feature Hyundai’s advanced new voice companion, Gleo AI. The intelligent AI is built on a large language model (LLM), so it will continue to learn and develop based on your conversations.
You will be able to ask it things like “navigate here” or “find a restaurant near me” and search the web for news, sports, weather, and more. Hyundai plans to continue developing the AI companion over the next few years to offer a custom-tailored experience for every driver.
Park Min-woo, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) division and CEO of 42dot, its global software company, explained it as “a personalized AI that understands users’ behavior and preferences to help them with what they need without being asked.”
Gleo AI is more advanced than traditional in-car AI agents, using multiple large language models (LLMs) to understand what the user says and generate responses based on location, driving conditions, and other real-time factors.
The AI companion will continue to improve over time, adding new features through over-the-air (OTA) software updates, 42dot said.
With Hyundai planning to pull the IONIQ 6 from its US lineup after the 2025 model year, Hyundai is offering leases as low as $189 per month. The IONIQ 5 and three-row IONIQ 9 are also among the best EV deals currently available, with leases starting at just $259 and $369 a month. You can use the links below to find local offers and available Hyundai models near you.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
