On Hyundai’s newest models, even the basic instrument cluster is now an extra-cost option. The new Ioniq 3 and Elantra ship without the 9.9-inch driver’s display in base form, and Motor1 reports buyers have to pay for it separately.
The instrument cluster is now optional
The new Ioniq 3 and the Elantra, called the Avante in South Korea, do not include a standard instrument cluster. Hyundai charges extra for the 9.9-inch rectangular display that sits directly in the driver’s line of sight. Buyers either step up to a higher trim where it is included, or tick a box on the options list.
What it costs
In South Korea, the optional display adds 350,000 won, roughly $255, on the Avante. In the UK, the Ioniq 3 only gets the slim display starting from the second trim level upward.
| Market | How the instrument cluster is offered |
|---|---|
| South Korea (Avante) | Optional, 350,000 won (~$255) |
| UK (Ioniq 3) | Included only from the second trim upward |
Why Hyundai is doing it
The move is part of a wider cost-cutting trend across the auto industry, Motor1 notes. Some brands have dropped conventional driver’s displays altogether and forced drivers to rely on the center screen. Hyundai still gives buyers physical controls for many functions and has not eliminated the cluster entirely, which makes the missing display on base models more puzzling than infuriating.
Connected to the Pleos Connect system
The new setup pairs with Pleos Connect, Hyundai’s next-generation infotainment built on Android Automotive OS. Hyundai plans to deploy it across around 20 million cars by the end of the decade, including sister brands Kia and Genesis. The next-generation Tucson shares the slim instrument cluster design.
What it means for the Philippines
Hyundai has not confirmed when or whether the new Ioniq 3 and Elantra will reach the Philippine market, and no local pricing has been announced. For shoppers weighing their next electric vehicle, the takeaway is simple: when the cluster goes optional, check the fine print on base trims. Hyundai’s luxury arm Genesis is meanwhile pushing its own flagship EV lineup.
