All-new Hyundai Ioniq 3 makes its UK debut

If you were fortunate enough to be wandering around the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed, you may have noticed something rather interesting threading its way up the Hill Climb. The world-famous Sussex event was the chosen location to give the new Hyundai Ioniq 3 its first public UK appearance, and judging by the reaction, it’s already shaping up to be one of the most important electric cars of the year.

The Goodwood Hill Climb is one of the most recognisable motoring backdrops in the world, and Hyundai made sure the new Ioniq 3 was impossible to miss. If you’re thinking about leasing your next car, it’s probably worth paying attention to this one as Hyundai has already confirmed customer interest is the highest it has ever recorded for a new model before launch.

Part of that appeal is undoubtedly the price. Hyundai expects the Ioniq 3 to start from under £25,000 when it goes on sale later this year, instantly positioning it as one of the most affordable fully electric hatchbacks in the UK. That’s likely to translate into very competitive monthly rentals for this new Hyundai, especially for salary sacrifice schemes or drivers looking to switch to electric without stretching their budget.

But price is only part of the Ioniq 3 story.

The Ioniq 3 is a compact electric hatchback designed specifically around the everyday needs of European drivers. Hyundai calls the design an “Aero Hatch”, shaped by its new Art of Steel philosophy. The result is a sleek, efficient silhouette with a drag coefficient figure that sits comfortably among the most aerodynamic cars in its class. That slippery shape doesn’t just look good; it also helps maximise range, which is exactly what you want from a practical EV.

And on the subject of practicality, the Ioniq 3 offers seating for five and a surprisingly generous 441-litre boot, making it a genuinely usable family car rather than a city-only runabout.

Two battery sizes for Ioniq 3, with range up to 308 miles

Hyundai will offer two battery options, with the larger pack delivering a projected range of up to 308 miles. That’s more than enough for the daily commute, weekend trips, and the occasional longer journey. When you do need to top up, DC fast charging can take the battery from 10% to 80% in around 29 minutes, meaning you can add a substantial amount of range in the time it takes to grab a coffee.

The technology story is equally strong. The Ioniq 3 is the first European Hyundai model to feature the new Pleos Connect infotainment system, built on Android Automotive OS. That means smoother operation, better app integration, and a more intuitive interface. Hyundai SmartSense driver-assistance technology also comes as standard, adding another layer of safety and convenience to everyday driving.

Hyundai will confirm full UK specifications closer to launch, but based on what we’ve seen so far, the Ioniq 3 is shaping up to be one of the standout electric cars of 2026.

For leasing customers, the timing couldn’t be better.

Given the combination of price, practicality, range, and technology, this is exactly the kind of EV that could tempt drivers away from petrol and diesel without requiring them to make any compromises. The Hyundai Ioniq 3 arrives at a moment when demand for affordable electric cars is rising, and businesses and private drivers alike are looking for models that combine low running costs with everyday usability.

Whether you’re looking for a cost-effective personal lease or a business-friendly EV with predictable running costs, this is one model you’ll want to keep an eye on. And if the early interest is anything to go by, you might not want to hang around too long before registering yours.