Source: Beijing Hyundai

On October 16, 2025, Beijing Hyundai launched pre-sales for its compact electric SUV EO (formerly known as ELEXIO) in China, with a pre-sale price range set between 130,000 and 150,000 CNY (c. $18,250–$21,100).

The model is positioned as the company’s first pure electric SUV intended to drive its EV transformation and regain momentum in China’s competitive market.

During the pre-sale period, buyers who pay an 88 CNY deposit can secure multiple perks valued at about 12,000 CNY (c. $1,700), including priority delivery, a 5,000 CNY trade-in subsidy, custom body paint, 1,000 CNY insurance discount, and a service package plus a home smart charging station.

Hyundai describes a concept of “effective price” factoring these added benefits rather than focusing solely on sticker price.

As EO enters the market, Hyundai aims to reset consumer expectations in the sub-150,000 CNY EV SUV space by combining advanced specifications with accessible pricing.

Joint ventures like SAIC-GM, GAC Toyota, and GAC Honda have already introduced EV models tailored to local demand.

In this segment, rivals like BYD Yuan Plus and Geely Galaxy E5 already command significant market share in the sub-200,000 CNY electric SUV space.

Source: Beijing Hyundai

For Beijing Hyundai, the EO marks a shift from relying primarily on internal combustion models toward electrification. Previously, Hyundai’s China lineup included hybrid and plug-in offerings, but no fully electric SUV until now.

Technically, the EO is built on Hyundai’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform). It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8295P chip with about 30 TOPS of computing power.

The chassis integrates advanced battery protection, and the vehicle claims to have undergone road validation exceeding 1.2 million km in extreme conditions (high heat, cold, salt-alkali terrain) to ensure robustness.

On the product side, the EO is offered in multiple range configurations (518 km, 540 km, 590 km, 692 km, and up to 722 km under CLTC) and uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in 64.2 kWh and 88.1 kWh variants. Fast charging from 30% to 80% takes about 27 minutes.

Source: Beijing Hyundai

Drive options include a front motor with 160 kW output, and an optional dual-motor AWD setup adding a 73 kW rear motor.

Interior features include a 27-inch integrated 4K display, head-up Display, and a minimalist layout eliminating many physical buttons.

Hyundai touts 29 storage compartments, a BOSE (or Dolby-tuned) sound system, and a refined cabin for modern users.

Its success will hinge on execution in deliveries, after-sales support, and consumer trust in its electric strategy.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 7.12 CNY as of October 16, 2025