Hyundai has introduced a pricing structure that makes digital driver displays an optional add-on for the base trims of the Ioniq 3 and Elantra. This change means entry-level buyers in certain markets must pay extra to avoid a lack of a dedicated instrument cluster in their line of sight.
The $255 upgrade for an Avante's driver display
In South Korea, where the Elantra is marketed as the Avante, buyers of the base configuration must pay approximately 350,000 won—roughly $255—to add the 9.9-inch rectangular digital instrument cluster. According to the report, a similar restriction exists in the United Kingdom for the Ioniq 3 electric hatchback, where the slim driver display is only included as standard starting from the second trim level upward.
This move represents a significant shift in how Hyundai defines "standard" equipment. While a 9.9-inch display is relatively modest compared to luxury offerings, removing it from the base model forces the driver to rely on alternative methods for viewing essential telemetry, or smiply pay a premium for a feature that has become an industry baseline.
Pleos Connect's 20-million vehicle target
The optional hardware is tied to the rollout of Pleos Connect , Hyundai's next-generation infotainment platform powered by Android Automotive OS. As reported, this system first appeared in the Grandeur flagship sedan, which features a massive touchscreen reaching up to 17.9 inches. The software is now expanding into the Elantra and the next-generation Tucson.
Hyundai intends for Pleos Connect to be a cornerstone of its ecosystem, with the company indicating the platform will be installed in roughly 20 million vehicles by the end of the decade. This expansion extends beyond the primary Hyundai brand to include sister marques Kia and Genesis. The report notes that the next-generation Kia Sportage, arriving in 2027, is expected to be the first Kia model to adopt the Pleos Connect system.
Shrinking switchgear in the next-generation Tucson and Elantra
The transition to Pleos Connect coincides with a broader industry trend toward "screen-ification," though Hyundai has been more conservative than some of its competitors. The next-generation Tucson and Elantra still retain several physical buttons and knobs for critical functions, avoiding the total reliance on nested touchscreen menus that has frustrated drivers in other brands.
However, the report highlights that physical switchgear is nonetheless shrinking.. The combination of oversized central displays and a reduced count of tactile buttons suggests that Hyundai is gradually moving toward a more minimalist, touch-heavy interior philosophy, even if it has not yet abandoned physical controls entirely.
Why the Ioniq 3 prioritizes center screens over driver gauges
The decision to make a driver-facing display optional while fitting cars with jumbo central screens raises questions about Hyundai's prioritization of user experience. critics argue that essential driving informatoin—such as speed and fuel or battery levels—should never be a paid upgrade, especially when the hardware cost of a slim 9.9-inch panel is minimal compared to the rest of the vehicle's electronics.
It remains unclear whether Hyundai will maintain this optional pricing when the Ioniq 3 and Elantra launch in additional global markets, or if regional consumer expectations will force the company to make the cluster standard. Furthermore, the source does not specify exactly what the base-trim driver sees in place of the digital cluster—whether it is a traditional analog setup or a complete void that forces reliance on the central infotainment screen.
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