Khyati Sharma 2026-09-07
Hyundai car has introduced an unusual equipment strategy with its latest-generation models featuring the new Pleos Connect infotainment system. The dedicated 9.9-inch slim driver display, which sits directly in front of the driver, is no longer standard on the entry-level versions of the Ioniq 3 and Elantra in certain markets.
The move means buyers of the base versions may have to either pay extra for the driver display, where the option is available, or move to a higher variant. The change is part of Hyundai's wider rollout of its Pleos Connect technology, which combines a large central touchscreen with a slim driver-facing display.
Pleos Connect is Hyundai Motor Group's next-generation in-car infotainment platform. It was introduced in 2026 and is designed around a large central widescreen, a slim display positioned in front of the driver and physical controls for selected functions.
The system integrates navigation, vehicle information, entertainment and connectivity into a software-focused interface. Hyundai says the platform is designed to provide a more intuitive user experience, with features such as split-screen navigation, online maps, an app ecosystem and AI-based functions.
The slim 9.9-inch digital driver display normally provides important information such as vehicle speed, remaining range, speed-limit information and efficiency data.
However, the entry-level versions of the new Ioniq 3 and Elantra do not receive this display as standard. Instead, important vehicle information can be accessed through the main central touchscreen.
For the Korean-market Elantra, sold locally as the Avante, buyers can add the 9.9-inch driver display as an optional feature for 350,000 Korean won, equivalent to around US$255 or approximately ₹24,000 at a direct conversion.
The situation is different for the Ioniq 3. On the base version, the driver display is reportedly not available as a standalone option, meaning buyers need to move to a higher trim to get the screen.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 3 has been designed around a large central infotainment display and the Pleos Connect interface. However, the entry-level version does not receive the slim driver-facing screen.
In the UK market, the entry-level Ioniq 3 Advanced does not include the driver display, while higher versions add the feature as standard equipment. Reports indicate that buyers wanting the screen have to move up to the next trim rather than simply selecting it as an individual option.
The base Ioniq 3 also does not offer a head-up display, meaning drivers without the slim screen will rely more heavily on the centrally mounted display for vehicle information.
The decision appears to be linked to the growing shift towards software-defined vehicles and cost optimisation. A large central touchscreen can handle multiple functions, reducing the need for separate hardware.
Hyundai's approach also follows a broader industry trend in which manufacturers are moving away from traditional instrument clusters and placing more vehicle information on centrally mounted displays.
However, the dedicated driver screen remains useful because key information is positioned directly within the driver's line of sight. This can reduce the need to look sideways towards the central infotainment screen while driving.
The new-generation Elantra, known as the Avante in South Korea, offers a slightly different approach. The base model does not include the 9.9-inch driver display as standard, but Korean customers can add it separately for 350,000 won.
Alternatively, buyers can select a higher trim where the display is included as standard equipment.
This makes the Elantra more flexible than the base Ioniq 3, where the screen reportedly requires moving to a higher variant.
Hyundai plans to expand Pleos Connect across its global model range. The system is expected to feature on more Hyundai vehicles, including future models in India.
The technology is expected to become an important part of Hyundai's software-defined vehicle strategy, with the company targeting deployment across millions of vehicles globally by the end of the decade.
For the Indian market, Hyundai is expected to introduce Pleos Connect with future models, including upcoming generations of products such as the Creta and Tucson. The exact equipment strategy for India has yet to be confirmed.
| Feature | Elantra / Avante | Ioniq 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pleos Connect | Yes | Yes |
| Slim Driver Display | 9.9-inch | 9.9-inch |
| Base Variant | Not standard | Not available on base |
| Paid Option | Yes, in Korea | No on base |
| Option Price | 350,000 won / approx. ₹24,000 | Higher trim required |
| Central Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Head-Up Display | Market/variant dependent | Not offered on base |
Hyundai's decision to make the slim driver display optional on entry-level models marks a significant change in equipment strategy. While the central touchscreen can display essential information, the 9.9-inch driver-facing display offers a more conventional and convenient way to monitor speed, range and other driving data.
The move will be particularly interesting to watch in India as Hyundai begins expanding Pleos Connect to more models. Whether the company offers the driver display as standard equipment or an optional feature on Indian-spec vehicles remains to be confirmed
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