Hyundai Ioniq 3 UAE: Price, Specs & 2026 Launch

Price: 150,000 AED

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What is the Hyundai Ioniq 3?

The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is Hyundai’s push into the compact electric segment, previewed by the Concept THREE that debuted at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich on September 9, 2025 (Hyundai official press release). It is aimed at city drivers and young families who want an efficient, tech-heavy EV that sits below the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 in both size and price. For more information on the brand and upcoming EVs, visit the official Hyundai website.

With expected UAE pricing from around AED 150,000, it lines up as a strong-value alternative to European and Chinese rivals, and it is being tuned for GCC conditions: high heat, long highway stretches, and public charging networks like DEWA and ADNOC. As of December 19, 2025, the picture is a mix of official details and educated projections, which is usually what early adopters have to work with when planning a future purchase.

Hyundai Europe CEO Xavier Martinet has described the Ioniq 3 as the car that fills out Hyundai’s “total coverage of the EV market”, a more affordable model designed to push the brand deeper into the mainstream.

Confirmed vs Expected:

Production begins in early 2026 at Hyundai’s Turkey plant, with Europe sales in Q3 2026. For the UAE, a realistic window is late 2026 to early 2027, imported through Juma Al Majid, Hyundai’s exclusive distributor in the country. There are no pre-order announcements yet on dealer sites.

The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is a compact all-electric hatchback or crossover built on Hyundai’s Integrated Modular Architecture (IMA) eM platform, a cost-optimized spin on the E-GMP platform with a 400V electrical architecture.

Positioning vs Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 & Segment Rivals

This is Hyundai’s entry-level IONIQ model. It sits below the midsize Ioniq 5 SUV (about 4.64 m long, up to 303 miles EPA range) and the Ioniq 6 sedan (about 4.85 m long, up to 342 miles EPA range).

Expected dimensions for Ioniq 3 are roughly 4.28 m long, 1.94 m wide, and 1.40 m tall, which places it in direct competition with:

• Tesla Model 3 (4.72 m)
• VW ID.3 (4.26 m)
• Kia EV3 (4.30 m)
• BYD Atto 3 (4.45 m)

It trades some outright space and range for lower price, easier parking, and city agility. For UAE buyers, that means a car that fits neatly into mall parking spaces, threads through Dubai traffic, and still offers a class-leading wheelbase for rear-seat space (per design chief SangYup Lee, Car and Driver).

Confirmed Facts vs Expectations from IAA 2025 Reveal

Confirmed by Hyundai at IAA 2025

• Global debut of Concept THREE on September 9, 2025, the first compact IONIQ EV concept using the “Art of Steel” design language (Hyundai press).
• Sleek Aero Hatch profile with Parametric Pixel lighting and a vertical tailgate.
• It signals a Europe-focused compact EV push; Hyundai claims IONIQ is now the second most recognized EV brand after Tesla in Europe.

Industry expectations and early leaks

• Production model will carry the Ioniq 3 name and launch in mid‑2026 in Europe, with Q3 retail timing.
• Spy shots show a minimalist interior featuring Pleos Connect infotainment .
• Battery options are expected to mirror the Kia EV3: 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh, with range estimates carried over as well.

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Release Date & UAE Availability Timeline

Europe Launch: Q3 2026, Production in Turkey

Europe should see the Ioniq 3 in showrooms in Q3 2026 (July to September). Production is scheduled to start in early 2026 at Hyundai’s plant in Turkey, which will supply most European markets. Prototypes spotted around Europe in late 2025 already look close to production.

Expected GCC/UAE Arrival: Late 2026 to Early 2027

Historically, the UAE and wider GCC trail Europe by 3 to 9 months for volume Hyundai EVs. That pattern suggests a UAE launch in late 2026 at the very earliest, stretching into early 2027 if testing and homologation take longer.

Juma Al Majid will handle regional imports. There is no official confirmation yet, but the timing matches how the Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric were rolled out.

Should You Wait or Buy Now? UAE Decision Guide

This is the part that matters in real life: do you wait, or sign for something already on sale?

Wait for Ioniq 3 if:

• Your average daily commute is under 200 km.
• You have or can install home DEWA charging.
• Your budget sits roughly in the AED 150,000 to 210,000 bracket.
• You want Hyundai’s latest Pleos infotainment and a fresh platform.

If you tick those boxes and can wait for 2027 delivery, you avoid current waitlists on Tesla Model 3 and Kia EV3, and you get a car whose projected 5‑year total cost of ownership is around AED 180,000 assuming about AED 0.20/km electricity cost. That undercuts similar petrol crossovers by roughly 20% (based on DEWA tariffs).

Buy something now if:

• You need an EV immediately for regular Dubai–Abu Dhabi trips.
• You are comfortable with what is already on the UAE market.

Two obvious options:

• Hyundai Kona Electric from around AED 140,000+, with about 400 km rated range.
• BYD Atto 3, starting from about AED 94,500+, with a 420 km WLTP rating and some of the lowest 5‑year TCO numbers in the segment, roughly AED 180,000 according to UAE ownership guides.

In that scenario, the savings you start making on fuel now may outweigh the projected 20% lower TCO that the Ioniq 3 could offer compared with rivals like Model 3 with an estimated AED 300,000 5‑year TCO.

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Design & Dimensions

From Concept THREE to Production Styling

Concept THREE was intentionally dramatic: a sharp Aero Hatch body, exaggerated lines, and concept flourishes. The production Ioniq 3 will soften that look but keep the essentials:

• A sloping roofline and ducktail spoiler
• Parametric Pixel headlamps and tail-lamps
• A very slippery 0.26 Cd drag coefficient

Costly elements such as gullwing-style doors and camera mirrors are almost certain to be dropped. Expect 18 to 19‑inch aero wheels, slim LED light strips, and a sportier stance than the squarer Kia EV3.

Size, Proportions & Everyday Use on UAE Roads

Expected dimensions:

• Length: 4.28 m
• Width: 1.94 m
• Height: 1.40 m

The long wheelbase leads to unusually good rear legroom for the class. In practice, that means adults can sit comfortably behind adults, something many compact EVs still struggle with.

The footprint suits:

• Tight mall car parks
• Speed bumps in residential areas
• Regular highway use at 120 to 140 km/h

Ride height and ground clearance look tuned for urban and highway roads rather than off‑road dunes, which is what most buyers actually need.

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Interior Features & Pleos Connect System

Minimalist Cabin: Screens, Controls & Layout

Inside, the Ioniq 3 follows the familiar EV playbook, but not in a bad way. A single 15‑inch horizontal touchscreen anchors the dashboard, backed by a slim digital cluster that acts almost like a head‑up display.

Key cabin highlights:

• Physical knobs and buttons for volume, climate control, and seat adjustments
• Ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, and USB‑C ports on mid and high trims
• A clean, open center console with practical storage

The new Pleos Connect system runs on Android Automotive OS and brings:

• OTA software updates
• Gleo AI voice assistant
• Personalized profiles via Pleos ID
• Support for Apple CarPlay Ultra

Space, Wheelbase & Family Practicality

Hyundai has pushed the wheels out to the corners, which pays off inside. The flat floor makes it easier to fit ISOFIX child seats and shuffle passengers around, and the boot is expected to be around 400 liters, expandable with folding rear seats.

For a typical UAE family, that means:

• Strollers or weekly groceries in the back
• Weekend bags for a Ras Al Khaimah run
• Cupholders and deep storage for the usual clutter

It is still a compact car, yet it feels closer to a traditional C‑segment hatchback in usable space.

UAE‑Relevant Comfort: Cooling & Climate Tech

The Ioniq 3 has to survive 50°C days, so Hyundai’s standard kit matters more than in Europe:

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Dual‑zone automatic climate control
• Remote pre‑conditioning via app
• Strong rear vents and UV‑filter glass to cut cabin heating

Pleos software support for efficiency updates also helps squeeze more range even when the AC is working hard.

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Hyundai Ioniq 3 Specifications

Battery Options & WLTP Range

Expected battery lineup, largely mirrored from Kia EV3:

• 58.3 kWh pack with about 420 km WLTP range
• 81.4 kWh pack with about 587 km WLTP range

Chemistry is expected to mix NCM and LFP depending on variant and market. V2L bidirectional charging should be standard, so you can power devices or even a campsite from the car.

Real‑World UAE Range: 220 to 450 km, Depending on Conditions

The WLTP figures are optimistic for UAE conditions. Tests on the Kona Electric and owner reports suggest losses of 20 to 40% in hot weather with constant AC use.

Rough working figures:

• 58.3 kWh: around 250 to 340 km in mixed city / highway driving
• 81.4 kWh: around 350 to 470 km

A Dubai–Abu Dhabi return trip is roughly 260 km from door to door, so the smaller battery can do that with careful driving and a full charge. Expect AC at 40°C to add about 15% to your energy use.

Shorter daily commutes under 200 km will be fine on the small pack. If you regularly run inter‑emirate routes, the larger battery is the safer call.

Performance: Power, Acceleration & Drivetrain

The Ioniq 3 is tuned more for efficiency than outright thrills, but the figures are still brisk compared with petrol crossovers:

• Single front motor outputting about 150 to 201 hp
• Torque of roughly 283 Nm
• 0 to 100 km/h in under 8 seconds
• Top speed near 170 km/h

Front‑wheel drive keeps cost and consumption down. An all‑wheel‑drive or sportier variant has not been confirmed yet.

Charging Speeds: 400V Hardware & UAE Infrastructure

Charging hardware will likely match most current Hyundai EVs:

• AC 11 kW onboard charger, giving a full charge in about 7 to 9 hours on a DEWA home wallbox. Typical wallbox install costs sit around AED 5,000 in Dubai.
• DC 100 kW fast charging, with 10 to 80% top‑ups in around 30 minutes at compatible ADNOC or EV Green chargers.

The 400V system is well matched to the UAE’s growing network of 50 kW+ DC fast chargers, even if it cannot match the headline figures of a 250 kW Tesla Supercharger.

Safety & ADAS Features

Hyundai’s SmartSense suite is expected to be standard or widely available, with features such as:

• Forward collision avoidance
• Lane keeping assist and lane centering
• Blind‑spot view monitor
• Rear cross‑traffic alert
• Adaptive cruise control

Count on seven airbags and a target of 5‑star Euro NCAP performance, given the segment and Hyundai’s recent record.

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Expected Price in UAE & Cost of Ownership

Estimated UAE Price: 150,000 to 210,000 AED

Indicative pricing, based on UK and EU expectations plus shipping and 5% UAE VAT :

• 58.3 kWh FWD base: around AED 150,000 to 170,000
• 81.4 kWh long‑range: roughly AED 180,000 to 210,000

That should undercut the Kona Electric, which typically starts near AED 190,000+, and sit above entry levels of BYD Atto 3, which can start near AED 95,000 in the UAE.

5‑Year TCO vs Petrol Crossovers & Other EVs

Approximate running costs in the UAE:

• Ioniq 3 electricity cost around AED 0.20/km
• Comparable petrol crossover at roughly AED 0.40/km (examples: Creta, Tucson)

Over 5 years, that translates to:

• Ioniq 3 around AED 180,000 including maintenance
• Petrol equivalent around AED 220,000

So you save roughly AED 40,000 in that period, plus you avoid service items like oil changes and many wear parts.

Against other EVs:

• Tesla Model 3 often lands near AED 300,000 over 5 years
• Kia EV3 and VW ID.3 sit around AED 250,000
• Larger IONIQ 5 proxy around AED 330,000

Estimates are drawn from UAE‑focused cost analyses such as Shozon and DriveArabia, and they assume typical annual mileage.

Also read: Top 10 Best Electric Suvs In 2025 Uae Ranked

UAE Tariffs: DEWA / ADDC Charging Costs

Indicative electricity rates:

• DEWA Green Charger: about 0.64 AED/kWh for AC and 1.14 AED/kWh for DC, plus 5% VAT off‑peak.
• A full charge of roughly 58 kWh at home AC rates works out to around AED 37.
• ADDC and FEWA tariffs are in a similar band, about 0.70 AED/kWh for AC and 1.20 AED/kWh for DC public charging.

If you have villa roof space, integrating home solar can trim bills by up to 50% in the long term.

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Hyundai Ioniq 3 vs Tesla Model 3, VW ID.3, Kia EV3, BYD Atto 3

Viewed simply, the Ioniq 3 aims to be the all‑rounder: strong interior space, solid range, and a comparatively attractive entry price, while Tesla holds the charging and network edge, and BYD sets the floor on upfront cost.

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Conclusion

If the Ioniq 3 lands close to its projected numbers, it will be one of the more convincing compact EVs for the UAE:

• Projected 420 to 587 km WLTP range, translating to roughly 300 to 500 km in real local use
• New Pleos infotainment and 15‑inch central screen
• Competitive pricing from around AED 150,000
• Launch timing of Q3 2026 in Europe and late 2026 to early 2027 for the UAE

For now, the smart move is to monitor announcements from Juma Al Majid dealerships and register interest if you want an early allocation.

Summary Table

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People Also Ask

What is the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and how does it differ from Ioniq 5/6?

The Ioniq 3 is a compact 4.28 m electric hatchback with an estimated 420–587 km range. It sits below the Ioniq 5 (4.64 m SUV, about 490 km range) and Ioniq 6 (4.85 m sedan, about 550 km range), but shares similar efficiency and the latest Pleos tech.

When is the Hyundai Ioniq 3 release date in Europe and UAE?

Europe is expected to get it in Q3 2026, with UAE deliveries roughly late 2026 to early 2027 through Juma Al Majid.

How much will the Hyundai Ioniq 3 cost in UAE AED?

Rough estimates put it between AED 150,000 and 210,000, depending on trim and battery size.

What is the Hyundai Ioniq 3 battery range in real UAE conditions?

Expect roughly 300–500 km of usable range in UAE conditions, starting from WLTP figures of 420–587 km and adjusting for heat, AC use, and highway speeds.

How does Hyundai Ioniq 3 compare to Tesla Model 3 & Kia EV3?

The Ioniq 3 trades blazing performance and 250 kW charging for better value and more rear space than Tesla Model 3, and it broadly matches Kia EV3 on specs at a similar price, with a slightly more family‑friendly wheelbase.

Where can I find certified pre-owned luxury cars nearby?

Alba Cars offers certified pre‑owned luxury cars with verified histories in the UAE.