Hyundai has unveiled the Neira prototype at the 2026 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). It previews a comfortable three-row family electric MPV. If launched here, it could mark Hyundai’s entry into India’s fast-growing three-row MPV segment.
Image: Indra Fathan
Hyundai has had an SUV-first approach in India. Today, it sells several popular SUVs here. The (mass-market) range starts at the Exter and goes up to the Alcazar. The Creta Electric remains the only electric mass-market offering. Interestingly, Hyundai sells its own counterparts for most Kia products. For the Sonet, we have the Venue, for the Seltos, we have the Creta and so on. The Neira, if launched in India, can become Hyundai’s answer to the Carens Clavis EV.
Hyundai has traditionally shied away from launching MPVs in India. This could change with the Neira, as it could be more or less the same product as a Carens Clavis EV. It could be positioned above the Creta Electric as a three-row EV, and a rival to models like the Vinfact VF MPV7, Mahindra XEV 9S and of course, the Clavis EV. That said, the production-spec, if it goes on sale, could have a sub-20 lakh price in India.
Hyundai officially describes the Neira as a seven-seat electric SUV aimed at families. It, however, stands very similar to the Kia Carens Clavis EV that’s currently on sale in India. It is built on the same architecture as the Clavis EV. The two share several other components as well.
The silhouette is the same. Long roofline, large glass areas and proper three-row proportions. The front and rear lean towards Hyundai’s styling direction. Not too much. Look carefully and you will see the familiar Clavis EV cues in various areas. The front has a closed-off grille and Hyundai’s best efforts to infuse its styling DNA.
At the rear, Hyundai’s touch can be seen in the detailing of the tail lamps and bumper. The lower bumper has a chunky Silver-coloured section that adds more character to the design.
The prototype also had dual-tone alloy wheels, black wheel-arch cladding and roof rails. The door handles are regular pull-type units. Other key design highlights include connected LED headlamps and connected tail lamps. The lighting elements at both ends are vertically stacked.
Fact be told, the Neira has a more SUV-ish styling than the Carens Clavis EV. The Clavis EV’s styling is vocal about it being an (electric) MPV.
The company hasn’t, however, made an official comment on any technical link between the two products. However, it still makes sense to expect the Neira to use the same platform and powertrain as the Clavis EV, considering how Hyundai Motor Group has been successfully implementing component and technology sharing within sub-brands, over the years.
We have seen Hyundai and Kia do platform and component sharing in the case of popular duos like the Venue-Sonet and Creta- Seltos. Going by this rule, the production-spec Neira will likely be Hyundai counterpart of the Carens Clavis EV.
Hyundai hasn’t revealed the technical details of the Neira yet. The battery capacity, claimed range, and the output of its electric motor remain undisclosed. The Carens Clavis sold in India is available with two battery packs- 42kWh and 51.4 kWh, with claimed (ARAI) range figures of 404km and 490km respectively. These are the same battery packs from the Creta Electric. In both versions, the electric motor powers the front axle.
The Carens Clavis EV with the bigger battery does the 0-100kph sprint in just 8.4 seconds. It has 171hp on offer while the smaller battery version has a 135hp motor. Torque in both cases, stands at 255Nm. The electric MPV also offers four levels of regenerative braking and paddle shifters can be used to switch between these.
Two AC charging options are offered- 7.4kW and 11kW. Using the latter, the larger battery can be topped up from 10 to 100 percent in just 4 hours and 45 minutes. It remains unconfirmed if these would stay the same on the Neira EV as well.