Honestly, most modern electric cars look like used bars of soap. They’re all rounded edges, "wind-tunnel-optimized" blobs, and soulless plastic. But then you see a Hyundai retro electric car and suddenly, driving feels cool again. It’s weird, right? A company that used to be the "budget" choice is now out-designing everyone by looking straight into the 1970s and 80s.
They aren’t just slapping a battery into an old frame. They’re doing something called "Newtro"—a mix of new and retro. It’s basically what happens when you take the pixelated aesthetic of a Minecraft world and merge it with the raw, wedge-shaped aggression of a classic muscle car.
The N Vision 74 is the hyundai retro electric car we actually want
If you’ve been online at all in the last year, you’ve seen it. The N Vision 74. It looks like a DeLorean that went to the gym and started listening to synthwave.
Most people think it’s just a "concept" that will never see the light of day. They’re wrong. As of early 2026, Hyundai has officially confirmed a limited production run. We’re talking about roughly 100 to 200 units, with a price tag that’ll probably make your eyes water—think upwards of $300,000. It's a "halo" car, designed to show off what the N brand can do when they stop caring about being sensible.
The tech inside is pretty wild. It’s a hydrogen-electric hybrid.
📖 Related: Why the sound of metal still defines how we experience the world
- The Power: It’s pushing around 800 horsepower in its production spec.
- The Setup: Two electric motors on the rear wheels.
- The Secret Sauce: A 62.4kWh battery paired with a hydrogen fuel cell.
Why hydrogen? Because it lets you refuel in five minutes while still giving you the instant torque of an EV. Hyundai’s head designer, SangYup Lee, calls these "rolling labs." They aren't just for show; they're testing how to keep high-performance driving alive when gas is gone.
The Heritage Series: More than just a nostalgia trip
Before the N Vision 74 stole the spotlight, Hyundai dropped two "restomod" concepts that set the stage. These aren't for sale, unfortunately, but they dictate exactly how the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 ended up looking the way they do.
First, there was the Heritage Series Pony. The original 1975 Pony was the car that put South Korea on the automotive map. The EV version is a three-door masterpiece with matte silver paint and "Parametric Pixel" lights. The coolest part? The dashboard uses Nixie tubes. You know, those glowing glass vacuum tubes from the 70s? It’s a total vibe.
Then came the Heritage Series Grandeur. This was based on the 1986 flagship sedan that every "executive" in Seoul drove back in the day.
"When you don't respect your past, you cannot really define who you are in the present," SangYup Lee told Dezeen.
The Grandeur EV is basically a lounge on wheels. It has burgundy velvet seats—yes, velvet—and a single-spoke steering wheel. But then you look at the ceiling, and it has an "infinity mirror" light system that makes the cabin feel like a nightclub. It’s basically the antithesis of a Tesla’s sterile, tablet-only interior.
Why this design shift actually matters for you
You might be wondering why you should care about a $300,000 supercar or a one-off museum piece.
It’s because this "retro" DNA is already in the cars you can actually buy. The Ioniq 5 is the direct descendant of the Pony. Those square, pixelated taillights? That’s the retro-future aesthetic at work. Hyundai is betting that we’re tired of "Russian doll" design—where the small car looks just like the medium car, which looks just like the big car.
By leaning into their history, they’ve found a way to make EVs look "mechanical" and tactile again. People are tired of screens. We want knobs. We want switches. Even the Ioniq 5 N, their latest performance hit, has "e-shift" to simulate the feeling of a gear change. It’s fake, obviously, but it feels real.
Is there a catch?
Of course. Hydrogen infrastructure still sucks in most parts of the world. If the production N Vision 74 sticks to its hydrogen-hybrid guns, it’ll be a nightmare to "fill up" outside of California or South Korea. There are rumors that the production version might ditch the hydrogen and go full battery-electric to make it more practical.
📖 Related: Mark Zuckerberg Dines With Trump: What Really Happened at Mar-a-Lago
Also, these designs are polarizing. Some people think the blocky, 80s look is a fad. But looking at the resale values of 80s icons right now, it feels like Hyundai caught the wave at exactly the right time.
What to do if you want the "Retro EV" look now
Since you probably can't get your hands on a 1-of-100 N Vision 74, here is how you actually get into this aesthetic today:
- Check out the Ioniq 5: It's the most "retro" mass-market car on the road. Look for the "Digital Teal" or "Gravity Gold" matte finishes to really lean into the concept look.
- Wait for the N-Line accessories: Hyundai is reportedly planning to release body kits and wheels for their standard EVs that mimic the N Vision 74's aero-disk wheels.
- The Used Market: If you're feeling brave, people are already starting to "EV swap" actual 1980s Hyundais. It’s expensive and difficult, but it’s the only way to get that authentic 80s box shape with a silent motor.
Hyundai has proven that the electric future doesn't have to be a boring, aerodynamic bubble. It can be loud, blocky, and undeniably cool. Whether it’s through a limited-run supercar or the crossover in your driveway, the hyundai retro electric car movement is officially the most interesting thing happening in the car world right now.
Next Steps: Keep an eye on the upcoming Hyundai Magma series from Genesis. It’s taking this high-performance, bold-color philosophy even further into the luxury segment. If you're looking to buy, test drive the Ioniq 5 N—it’s the closest thing to the N Vision 74’s soul that you can actually park in your garage today.