Quick Charge: Ioniq 6 N Priced, Cheap EVs Coming, and Australia’s EV Interest Spikes

A fast 10-minute version of Plugged In Australia episode 48, covering the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N’s Australian launch, Hyundai’s cheaper electric N plans, Lexus’s upcoming three-row EV, Geely EX2 and Chery Q budget EVs, Geely’s PHEV push, Jetour’s Australian launch plans, surging EV interest, April EV sales growth, the ACT’s 34 per cent zero-emission market share, and Hyundai/Kia/Genesis ICCU warranty news.

Quick Charge YouTube timestamps

00:00 Intro
00:34  Hyundai Ioniq 6 N priced for Australia
02:09 Hyundai plans a cheaper electric N car
03:00 Lexus teases a three-row electric SUV
03:56 Geely EX2 budget EV coming to Australia
04:50 Geely’s PHEV product push
05:32 Chery Q and Jetour prepare for Australia
06:41 EV interest and sales surge
07:45 Hyundai, Kia and Genesis ICCU warranty update
08:35 Outro

Disclaimer:

All specifications, pricing, and information discussed in this episode were correct at the time of recording. The electric vehicle market moves quickly, so we recommend you always check the latest details directly with manufacturers, dealers, or official sources.

This podcast provides general news and information only, based on publicly available sources and Australian Consumer Law guidelines. It is not legal, financial, or professional advice. For advice specific to your situation, please contact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) or seek independent professional guidance.

Plugged in Australia and its hosts are not responsible for any decisions, misunderstandings, or purchases made based on the content of this show.

Sourcing & Transparency

At Plugged in Australia, all our stories are sourced from publicly available news articles and reports. We do not receive any advance information or briefings from brands or manufacturers.

Any analysis or opinions we share are based solely on this public information.

Our main sources include (though we also use many others, and they vary by episode):

• https://www.carsales.com.au/
• https://www.carexpert.com.au/
• https://thedriven.io/
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://autotalk.com.au
• https://www.carsguide.com.au
• https://evcentral.com.au
• https://www.drive.com.au

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to Plugged in Australia Quick Charge, the shorter version of the show for when you want the main EV news without the full deep dive. This is episode 48 for Tuesday, the 5th of May 2026, and today the big stories are Hyundai launching the Ionic 6N in Australia, Hyundai N already working on a cheaper performance EV, Lexus teasing a large three-row electric SUV, Geely and Cherry lining up more affordable EVs, and fresh data showing Australian EV interest rising again as fuel price concerns return. Let's get into it. First up, Hyundai has priced the Ionic 6N for Australia, and it's not playing around. The new electric performance sedan starts from $115,000 before on roads, exactly the same as the Ionic 5N. It uses an 84 kWh battery, dual motor all-wheel drive, and produces 448 kW and 740 Nm in standard form or 478 kW and 770Nm with N grin boost. Hyundai claims 0 to 100km hour in 3.2 seconds, making it the fastest production Hyundai ever sold here. Range is 487km on the WLTP cycle, and thanks to the 800V EGMP platform, the Ionic 6 can charge from 10 to 80% in around 18 minutes on a suitable DC fast charger. It also gets revised suspension, adaptive dampers, bigger brakes, an electronic limited slip diff, 20-inch forged wheels, end-specific Pirelli tires, extra body strengthening, torque distribution software, and the full fake sound performance theatre Hyundai has been building around its electric end cars. At $115,000 before on roads, this is a Halo car, not a People's Performance EV. It's much more expensive than a Tesla Model 3 performance and a BYD sealed performance. It may be brilliant and based on the Ionic 5N, Hyundai probably knows what it's doing, but it does not replace the affordable fun cars like the i-20N and the i-30N. Which leads me neatly into the next story because Hyundai's N Division is already working on a cheaper electric performance car. Has not confirmed the name, however, a future Ionic 3N is a extremely strong candidate. Reports point to something potentially using a powertrain similar to the Kia EV4GT with around 215 kW 468 Nm on a dual motor all-wheel drive with an 0 to 100km hour time of somewhere around 5.6 seconds. That kind of car could be more important than the Ionic 6N for everyday buyers. Australia has had a strong relationship with Hyundai N, especially through the I-20N and I-30N. However, those cars are leaving the stage. A smaller, sharper, more affordable electric N car could give enthusiasts a realistic way into EV performance without needing a six-figure budget. Next, Lexus has teased a new large three-row electric SUV expected to be called the TZ. It is likely related to Toyota's upcoming electric highlander, with Subaru also preparing a related model called the Getaway. The Toyota version gives us the rough idea: a large family SUV that is around 5 meters long with 6 or 7 seat layouts and battery options, reportedly including a larger 95.8 kWh pack targeting more than 500km of range in some form. For Australia, this could be a massive deal if Lexus brings it here. We still do not have many three-row electric SUVs. The Volvo EX90 and Cadillac Vistic are coming in at premium prices, and a Lexus alternative could suit families who want space, luxury, and electric driving. However, nothing is guaranteed yet. The key questions are right-hand drive production, timing and price. At the more affordable end of the market, Geely's EX2 is shaping up as one to watch. It was China's best-selling car in 2025 with more than 465,000 units sold, and it is due in Australia in the third quarter of 2026. Pricing is expected to be around the $30,000 mark. The EX2 is a small rear-wheel drive EV measuring 4,135mm long with a 375 litre boot and 70 litre frunk. In South African specification, it uses a 39.4 kWh LFP battery and an 85kW rear motor and offers 325km of WLTP range. It's not quick, but that's not the point. If Gili gets the safety equipment, warranty, cabin quality and pricing right, this could become a very practical budget EV for Australian buyers. Gili is also preparing a much bigger plug-in hybrid push. By the end of 2027, it wants to more than double its Australian model range, with three new plug-in hybrid SUVs and a plug-in hybrid sedan. That includes larger family SUVs, boxier off-road style models, and the M Grand EMI sedan, which is being positioned against the Toyota Camry. This is important because not every Australian buyer is ready for a full EV. Some people tow, some people drive regionally, some cannot charge at home, and some just want a stepping stone. The trick is making sure these plug-in hybrids deliver meaningful electric range and a real efficiency, not just a marketing badge. Jerry is also joining the affordable EV fight with the Q Electric Hatch, confirmed for Australia in 2027. It is known as the QQ3 in China, and while Chinese pricing is very low, Australian pricing will be much higher once safety, compliance, shipping and local costs are included. Reports suggest it's more likely to sit closer to $30,000 than $25,000. The Cherry Q is roughly MG4 sized with rear-wheel drive, a 42 kWh battery, around 350km of estimated WLTP range, a 375 litre boot and a 70 litre frunk. It also supports fast charging from 30 to 80% in around 16.5 minutes and vehicle to load at up to 6.6 kilowatt. Then there is Jatua, another Cherry Group brand preparing for Australia in 2027. Jatua is taking a different angle, it does not want to be seen as just another cheap Chinese brand. It is talking about off-road SUVs, plug-in hybrid models, and higher-end positioning, including vehicles like the T1, T2, and T2 IDM. On the market side, there is fresh evidence that Australians are looking at EVs again as fuel price concerns return. RACV says EV searches on its car match platform jumped 461% in March compared with February, led by BYD, MG and Cherry. Tesla and Polestar also more than doubled combined April sales compared with April last year, reaching 1,458 deliveries. Tesla delivered 1,225 vehicles led by the Model Y with 822, while Polestar delivered 233 vehicles, mostly Polestar 4s. The Model Y was reported as Australia's top-selling vehicle overall for April. The ACT remains the national leader. In April, zero emission vehicles made up 34% of new car sales in the territory. At the start of May, the ACT had 15,596 registered zero emissions vehicles, and ZEVs made up just over 4% of the total registered vehicle fleet. And finally, Holandoy, Kia, and Genesis have extended ICCU warranty coverage on selected EVs to 15 years 300,000 kilometres. The ICCU is the integrated charging control unit, and it is a key part of the EGMP platform's charging and 12 volt system. The extended coverage applies to selected build periods of models, including the Hyundai Ionic 5, Ionic 6, Kia EV6, Genesis G V60, the Electrified G80, and Electrified G V70. That is good news for owners and used EV buyers, but it is also a reminder to check service campaigns, software updates, and build date eligibility. EVs can be very reliable, however, charging hardware and support matter just as much as the battery. That wraps up Plugged In Australia Quick Charge for episode 48. For the full version, just listen to the major episode where we go deeper on the Ionix 6N, the Lexus TZ, the GLE EX2, Cherry Q Jatua EV sales, and the Hyundai Kia Genesis warranty update. As always, thank you so much for your time. Thank you for listening. Hope you enjoyed this quick charge episode. And until the next time, stay plugged in and stay charged.