The Hyundai Elexio Elite turns heads—not in a shouty way, but through refined, understated styling that feels effortlessly futuristic. Square daytime running lights, paired with slim front and rear light bars, create a distinctive lighting signature that feels modern without going overboard. Its unique 20-inch alloy wheels which incorporates a plum blossom-style design, flush door handles, and blacked‑out wheel arches complete a sleek silhouette that stands out from the increasingly busy EV crowd.
Inside, the Elexio continues its futuristic theme with Hyundai’s new 27‑inch ultra thin 4K panoramic display, stretching almost the full width of the dash. It’s crisp, fast and integrated with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and native navigation. There are even built‑in passenger games, including Space Invaders, which you can only play when parked.
There’s no traditional cluster; instead, a slim head‑up‑style driver display sits high in the line of sight, showing speed, range, speed‑limit info and a customisable right‑hand panel for nav or media.
I liked that the Drive, Reverse and Park controls sit on a dedicated stalk to the right of the steering wheel. It feels natural in use and the physical stop/start button beside it is a nice touch that keeps the basics simple and familiar.
I personally loved the futuristic design and clean minimalism inside the cabin – it feels premium, modern and refreshingly uncluttered. Even the climate is controlled via the big screen, which I adapted to quickly. My partner, however, found it a bit too space age and preferred the traditional physical buttons and knobs.
Strong cooling, ventilated seats with three fan levels, and dual‑zone climate control made those hot days comfortable. The Elexio also provides plenty of thoughtful storage, including four configurable cupholders, a handbag‑friendly shelf under the floating console and under‑boot storage.
With a five‑star ANCAP rating, nine airbags, and Hyundai’s latest SmartSense safety suite, the Elexio is well covered. Other real-world niceties I appreciated included the door-open alert, which chirps if traffic is approaching as you open the door, crisp 360‑degree cameras and the Remote Smart Parking Assist, which is especially handy for squeezing into and out of tight spots.
There's also an auto-opening boot which reveals a 506L space with the seats up and expands to about 1540L when folded. But beware – there’s no spare, just a repair kit. V2L adds a household power point in the boot to power external appliances – perfect for when you’re out and about.
Hyundai’s Aussie team gave the Elexio a local suspension and steering tune and it shows. It’s quiet, comfortable and easy to drive. Acceleration is smooth, even in Eco mode. Normal mode was perfect for everyday driving, while Sport mode gave the Elexio a surprising urgency off the mark.
Like most EVs, the cabin remains pleasantly quiet at all speeds. Steering is light yet accurate; braking is predictable and easy to modulate. You also get steering‑wheel paddles to adjust regenerative braking, from gentle coasting to strong deceleration. I preferred a mid-setting around town and i-Pedal for stop start commutes.
The result is an SUV that’s easy to drive, extremely family‑friendly and impressively refined.
Car Wash mode: prevents water leaks and equipment damage when you’re at the wash bay. One tap folds side mirrors, closes all windows, retracts flush door handles, disables auto wipers and prevents the tailgate/charge door opening.
Camping mode: keeps HVAC and in car power running from the high voltage battery while parked (great for lunch stops or campsite movie nights).
Baby rest mode: softens throttle/brake mapping for smoother rides when little passengers are sleeping.
The Hyundai Elexio Elite makes a seriously strong first impression.
The Hyundai Elexio offers space, loads of tech and refinement. It drives well and delivers the practicality Australians expect from a mid‑size SUV.
It nails the day-to-day brief for families looking to move to an electric vehicle. And thanks to the government EV incentive# which exempts the Hyundai Elexio from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT), you could save thousands with a novated lease. For those weighing up a move from petrol into their first EV, the Elexio makes a compelling case.
