Today, most electric cars on the market follow the same visual playbook, featuring blank grilles, smooth curves, and futuristic minimalism. While this is not bad, it is starting to feel cold and forgettable. Honestly, there are rarely any EVs that grab your attention entirely by their looks.
Hyundai saw this gap and decided to do something different. Instead of chasing the generic EV aesthetic, this South Korean automaker dug into its history and pulled out two concept cars that feel more like a love letter to car design than a specs sheet.
The Hyundai N Vision 74 and the Heritage Series Grandeur EV are bold, retro-styled concept vehicles that re-live the 70s and 80s. These models have been in talk for years, and now they are finally revealed to the public.
While both of these models are retro-inspired in terms of looks, they come loaded with advanced electric and hydrogen tech, showcasing Americans the future of driving.
You need to understand that these are just concepts built for press headlines and publicity. These models have sparked serious reactions from car enthusiasts, industry critics, and even everyday drivers.
As an absolute car fanatic, I can vouch for one thing: Hyundai isn’t just experimenting. This car brand is building a new identity for the EV era by honoring its past.
Key Highlights From Hyundai’s Retro EV Direction:
- Hyundai is blending retro car design with modern electric and hydrogen tech.
- The N Vision 74 draws from the 70s
- The Heritage Series Grandeur EV draws from the 80s.
- The N Vision 74 will see limited production.
- Grandeur EV remains a concept, but sets a tone for future styling
- U.S. buyers may not get these exact cars, but their influence is already visible
Why Hyundai Is Revisiting The 70s And 80s
In the world of automobiles, designs matter the most. Over the last decade, almost every automaker in America has focused heavily on the idea of a futuristic vehicle as smooth, quiet, and featureless. Tesla started this thinking, and now everyone is following suit. In the name of coming of age, all we are getting is soft lines, touchscreen-heavy interiors, and not much soul.
In all this chaos, Hyundai saw a different opportunity. Instead of following the herd, the brand reached back to its classic times. They took on the Pony Coupe from 1974 and the Grandeur sedan from 1986 and gave us the visionary N Vision 74 and the Grandeur EV, which are wrapped in old-school designs and equipped with modern tech.
This approach is more than just about nostalgia. This is a perceptive response to a market that is looking for some true innovation. These retro electric cars of Hyundai remind us that EVs can have style, attitude, and cultural depth, not just efficiency.
This is the very same reason that the classic box cars are also making a comeback, offering style, elegance, and exclusivity.
N Vision 74 Is A Tribute to 70s Motorsport
Hyundai officially unveiled the N Vision 74 concept back in 2022. And now, it is finally taking shape to become a reality. This vehicle is inspired by the original Pony Coupe concept.
Its wedge-shaped body, squared-off front end, and pixelated tail lights carry the kind of angular aggression that defined 70s sports cars. Not only this, it is said to be powered by a unique hydrogen-electric hybrid system.
As per Hyundai, this system includes a fuel cell stack paired with a 62.4 kWh battery, powering dual electric motors mounted at the rear. The company also claims that the car makes about 670 hp and delivers over 370 miles of combined range. Is it true? Well, we will know once it is on the road.
SangYup Lee, the Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Center has said: “With N Vision 74, Hyundai’s heritage meets the challenges of the era of electrification. Its high-performance sensibility is a milestone in Hyundai design, which contains a vision of a future that respects the past and offers an iconic sensibility.”
But one thing is for sure. With all that power, the upcoming model is not merely a showpiece. It is a legend reborn that drifts, roars and moves like a proper performance machine.
Another thing that makes this extravagant ride even more endearing is the ongoing rumors of it being a limited-production model. Some sources are indicating a small batch, arriving as early as 2026. But whether these speculations are true or not, we will only learn with time.
Grandeur EV Is 80s Luxury Reimagined
As someone who loves sedans, I am really disappointed that the impressive Heritage Series Grandeur EV is so far just a concept. If you think the N Vision 74 is all about power and drama, the Grandeur EV offers yesteryear luxury at its best.
Based on the first-generation 1986 Grandeur luxury sedan, this Hyundai retro concept car preserves its predecessor’s iconic squared-off proportions and upright stance. While the exterior screams another era, the interior is completely reworked for the modern age.
The outside is tastefully updated with Parametric Pixel LED lighting and satin-finish accents. Whereas the inside boasts burgundy velvet seats, a digital piano-inspired center console, and mood lighting that feels more like a hotel lounge than a car cabin.
Unlike the N Vision 74, the Grandeur EV is not performance-focused. It is more about vision, ambiance, and reclaiming the plushness of 1980s executive sedans in a new electric format.
Hyundai has yet to commit to building this model. But whether the company does so or not, the design language of this model is already making its way into the brand’s production of EVs.
If you ask me, I would rather have a Heritage Series Grandeur electric car on the road instead of N Vision 74. Don’t get me wrong. The latter is an impressive ride, but it is the former that I seem to feel connected to the most.
Comparing Hyundai’s Retro EV Concepts
To help you get a better understanding of the key specifications of each of these models and how different or alike they are, I have prepared a comparison table. You can see below how these rides stack up against each other.
| Feature | N Vision 74 | Heritage Series Grandeur EV |
| Design Inspiration | 1974 Pony Coupe | 1986 Grandeur Sedan |
| Era Influence | 1970s Motorsport | 1980s Luxury |
| Powertrain | Hydrogen electric hybrid Hydrogen fuel cellbattery hybrid | Fully electric |
| Performance | 670+ hp, RWD, 0-62 mph in less than 4 seconds | Not Disclosed |
| Range | Approximately over 370 miles | Not Disclosed |
| Design Focus | Performance and innovation Driver-focusedAnalog-modern blend | Luxury and heritage Lounge-likeRetro-tech fusion |
| Production Status | Limited Production Confirmed for 2026 | Concept Only |
Public Reaction and Online Buzz
The announcement and reveal of these two vehicles have made the entire automotive community go crazy, from casual drivers and industry experts to online auto forums. The buzz they are creating is maddening, and everyone is talking about them.
From nostalgic Reddit threads to YouTube deep dives, the buzz proves these EVs are more than just design experiments.
On Reddit, one thread about Grandeur EV has users reminiscing about boxy 80s sedans, saying the concept feels like a time capsule with a modern soul. One commenter wrote, “This is what my dad used to drive, if only it had that kind of tech back then.”
Another active discussion on the platform dives into public opinions on the N Vision 74 concept. While some users are eager for Hyundai to get along with the production, others are cautiously optimistic. They question if the final version will retain the bold design and performance of the viral concept.
Over on X (formerly Twitter), Hyundai’s official post showcasing the N Vision 74 generated thousands of reactions. The post highlights the hydrogen hybrid powertrain and wedge-shaped silhouette, drawing comparisons to the DeLorean and 80s race cars.
YouTube has also become a place for in-depth fan coverage. One of the most-watched breakdowns is this video, where an enthusiast walks through the N Vision 74’s specs, performance claims, and retro design inspiration. Viewers in the comments praise Hyundai for daring to be different in an era of overly safe EV design.
Even the industry experts are not behind. Edmunds recently confirmed that Hyundai has greenlit production plans for the concept. Their report talks about Hyundai confirming the production of the stunning N Vision 74 Concept.
From the nostalgia-fueled threads to experts, it is clear Hyundai has struck a nerve. It has reimagined the past in a way that feels surprisingly forward-looking.
Significance Of This Move in Today’s EV market
Electric vehicles are the future of driving. However, most models present on the market feel like tech gadgets on wheels. They surely are smooth, efficient, and futuristic, but only a few are able to stir anything emotionally.
Hyundai, with its retro EV concepts, has finally broken that common scenario by offering a fresh outlook that values both history and character.
This shift is highly significant because it marks American EVs, entering a new phase. The early years of electric cars were all about providing range and practicality. But now, buyers want more. Style, connection, and uniqueness are desired, a building base of almost every classic car.
And Hyundai’s retro-futuristic direction speaks to this evolving scenario. It beautifully portrays how even a car running purely on electric current can still have a soul. As someone working in the automotive industry for years now, I, for one, am down for this change.
This change is not just limited to Hyundai, as other automakers are also picking up. There are hints from Nissan’s revival of the Datsun lineage, Honda’s compact EV designs, and even luxury brands referencing classic lines.
But Hyundai is one of the few automakers producing masterpieces that blend past and future with intent, not just aesthetics.
Will Americans Ever Get To Experience These Cars
This is one of those rare questions for which we are all seeking the answer. Right now, only the N Vision 74 is slated for limited production. But do not get happy, as even this is expected to be extremely exclusive.
Meanwhile, the Grandeur EV remains a concept. But there is a high chance that we might see design cues from this car, including pixelated lighting, retro dashboards, and simplified silhouettes, in the upcoming Hyundai EVs in the U.S.
Through this entire experience, one thing is sure: Hyundai is done following the trends. Instead, it is not setting them.
FAQs
Why are retro EVs becoming popular now?
Retro EVs offer a design appeal that is emotional. They blend traditional aesthetics with modern tech, resonating with drivers looking for more than just function.
How does Hyundai’s strategy differ from U.S. automakers?
Hyundai is about heritage styling, while most American brands are tech and utility. The design-first approach of Hyundai sets it apart in the crowded EV market.
Can these vehicles hold long-term value?
Limited edition, another era-inspired electric car, may hold its value well due to its distinctive design and collector appeal.
Final Thoughts
As someone who’s watched car design evolve from wild to sterile and back again, this feels like a moment. The N Vision 74 and the Grandeur EV represent how old always makes its way back.
Hyundai is doing a great job of honoring its legacy and simultaneously unlocking new directions in electric vehicle design. And whether or not these models make their way to the American streets in large numbers, their influence is already sensational.
I really expect to see more retro-informed EVs that are not about nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake.
