The Software Race Is On
Software-defined vehicles, an approach pioneered by Tesla, are becoming so prominent these days that it seems newer cars are simply adopting what Tesla has long offered. Hyundai is among the automakers moving toward SDVs, with the updated Grandeur showcasing its next-generation infotainment system, Pleos Connect. The system helps passengers navigate different vehicle controls and functions digitally, including climate settings.
The system doesn’t have a confirmed U.S. debut yet, but a hands-on demonstration from KoreanCarBlog TV on YouTube shows what to expect. The test car was a Grandeur equipped with a 17-inch infotainment touchscreen similar to Tesla’s setup. However, Hyundai has taken a less minimalist approach by retaining buttons, which should help drivers change settings without digging through touchscreen menus and prevent distractions.
Big Screen Energy
Pleos Connect – which runs on Android Automotive OS (AAOS) – can show three separate sections at once through its smartphone-like interface. The leftmost section displays driving information, while the rest can show navigation and multimedia, including YouTube and Spotify. The screen can also control air conditioning, lighting, and drive modes, though the demonstration shows a steering-wheel button for changing drive modes.
The system also features Gleo AI, designed to act like a smart companion that can change vehicle settings through voice commands. Like Tesla’s Grok, Gleo AI can hold conversations with passengers. KoreanCarBlog TV‘s demonstration shows four available voices. At the time of filming, the test car didn’t support English, though the presenter said it should arrive “very soon.”
Pleos Connect launched in the Grandeur in Hyundai’s home market of South Korea and will follow with a global rollout, with the Ioniq 3 serving as its first European application. The system is also expected to arrive in the U.S. with the next-gen Tucson, which, based on the initial press photos, comes with a similar dashboard and screen layout to the Grandeur, including a large central touchscreen and a slim horizontal driver display.
A New Screen Era
Hyundai hasn’t confirmed U.S. launch timing for the next-generation Tucson, but it¸will be a crucial model in the lineup, competing in the lucrative compact crossover segment against the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
The Korean marque aims to put Pleos Connect in approximately 20 million Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles by 2030. By that time, the company also plans to expand its performance-focused N lineup to seven models.
Hyundai
