PARIS — Hyundai Motor (005380) and Kia (000270) unveiled a lineup of new sport utility vehicles and hybrids at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, which opened in the French capital on the 12th.
Hyundai Motor gave the world premiere of the All-New Bayon, the latest version of its compact SUV. The new Bayon offers more interior space and comes with advanced driver assistance systems. A 1.0-liter turbo gasoline model will be released first, with a 1.6 hybrid version to follow next year.
Hyundai also presented its flagship SUV, the All-New Tucson, for the first time in Europe. The model has a larger body and more interior room than its predecessor and features Pleos Connect, a next-generation infotainment system with a display of up to 17 inches. The hybrid version delivers a maximum output of 245 horsepower. The automaker also staged the world premiere of the Tucson N Line, which applies the sporty design of its high-performance N models.
The company is also targeting Europe's electric commercial vehicle market. The Staria Cargo electric van on display can travel up to 450 kilometers on a single charge. With an 800-volt electrical system, it can be charged from 10% to 80% of battery capacity in 20 minutes.
Hyundai said it is considering expanding its autonomous driving partnership with Waymo to global markets. Working with Waymo, Hyundai plans to first deploy the Ioniq 5 in U.S. autonomous ride-hailing services.
Kia also took part in the show, giving the European premiere of the second-generation hybrid version of the Seltos, its second-best-selling model globally. The new Seltos Hybrid is the first Kia vehicle to feature an electronic all-wheel-drive system (e-AWD), a technology that precisely distributes driving force to improve traction and stability.
The automaker also presented the new K4 Hybrid in Europe for the first time, ahead of the start of production on the 15th. The new K4 Hybrid will be offered as a hatchback and a sport wagon. Kia also displayed its high-performance GT lineup, including the EV3 GT, EV4 GT and EV5 GT, along with the PV5 Cargo purpose-built vehicle and the seven-seat PV5 Passenger.