Hyundai's Pleos Connect: A Familiar Face with a Smarter Brain and Physical Buttons

Daily Car

01/05/2026

Hyundai is set to revolutionize its in-car technology with the introduction of Pleos Connect, its next-generation infotainment system. Aiming to blend the intuitive nature of smartphones with the practicality of physical controls, this new platform promises a more integrated and user-friendly experience for drivers.

Key Takeaways

Pleos Connect integrates AI, an app ecosystem, and a combination of touchscreens and physical buttons.
It will debut in the Korean Grandeur and later in the European Hyundai Ioniq 3 EV.
The system emphasizes conversational AI voice commands and real-time navigation data.

A Blend Of Modern And Traditional

Hydai's new Pleos Connect infotainment system, while initially appearing similar to Tesla's minimalist approach with its large, tablet-like central touchscreen, distinguishes itself by retaining crucial physical controls. This move acknowledges driver feedback and aims to reduce distraction by providing tactile buttons for essential functions like climate control and audio volume, located both on the steering wheel and below the main display. A secondary, slim display positioned in front of the driver offers at-a-glance access to vital information such as speed and navigation prompts.

Intelligent Voice And Navigation

At the core of Pleos Connect is the Gleo AI voice assistant, designed to understand natural, conversational commands and handle multiple requests simultaneously. It can even interpret vague instructions, leveraging context to perform actions like navigation or adjusting cabin settings based on who is speaking. The navigation system itself has been significantly upgraded, utilizing live data from other vehicles for real-time routing. Its modular interface allows maps to be displayed alongside other applications, with key route details presented as easily readable floating cards.

An Open Ecosystem For Connectivity

Pleos Connect introduces an open App Market, enabling users to download and use services such as music streaming, video playback, and web browsing directly within the vehicle, reducing reliance on smartphone mirroring. Hyundai plans to continuously expand this ecosystem with more entertainment and vehicle-specific applications. The company envisions Pleos Connect as a cornerstone of its software-defined vehicle strategy, aiming to roll out the system to approximately 20 million vehicles across its brands, including Genesis and Kia, by 2030, with over-the-air updates bringing new features and improvements.

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