Hyundai makes instrument clusters optional on Ioniq 3 and Elantra

Hyundai has introduced a controversial strategy for its newest models, the Ioniq 3 electric hatchback and the Elantra (known as the Avante in South Korea), by making the driver’s instrument cluster an optional extra.

In base trims, these vehicles lack the traditional 9.9-inch digital display located in the driver’s line of sight. Instead, drivers must rely on the large central multimedia screen powered by the new Pleos Connect system, which is built on Android Automotive OS. In South Korea, buyers can add the 9.9-inch display for approximately 350,000 won (about $255). In the United Kingdom, the Ioniq 3 only includes the display starting from the second trim level.

This move is viewed as part of a broader industry trend toward cost-cutting and software-defined vehicles. While some competitors have removed driver displays entirely, Hyundai maintains physical controls for certain functions like climate and audio. The Pleos Connect system is expected to be deployed across roughly 20 million vehicles from Hyundai and its sister brands, Kia and Genesis, by the end of the decade.

Additionally, orders for the Ioniq 3 have opened in the UK and Europe, with the entry-level Advance trim starting at approximately £22,245 (roughly $30,000).