Most automakers use all that fancy screen real estate in modern cars to display… a slightly prettier version of a speedometer. Hyundai, however, has decided to do something genuinely fun with it.
In celebration of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, the Korean automaker has teamed up with Pokémon Korea to turn select vehicle dashboards into something straight out of a Pokédex.
And I’ve never been so jealous of electric vehicle owners in my life.
Gotta Theme ‘Em All
The collaboration introduces two distinct infotainment themes for Korean-spec Hyundai models: “Pokémon Pikachu Quick Attack” and “Pokémon Ditto World.” And before you dismiss this as a simple wallpaper swap — this is a full interface overhaul. We’re talking gauges, menus, navigation screens, user profile icons, welcome animations, and farewell clips. Your car will literally greet you with Pokémon every time you get in and say goodbye when you shut it down.
Honestly, that’s more personality than most car UIs have ever managed.
The Pikachu theme does exactly what you’d expect from the franchise’s golden boy — it’s bright, energetic, and plasters the iconic electric mouse across both the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Transition animations crackle with that signature Pikachu energy, and the overall vibe is cheerful chaos in the best possible way. Just wish it included fat Pikachu from the ’90s.
The Ditto theme, meanwhile, takes a more laid-back approach. The shapeshifting purple blob brings softer tones and a calmer aesthetic — but because Ditto can literally transform into anything, it shows up alongside a whole roster of fan favorites including Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Snorlax, Meowth, and Spheal, among others. It’s basically a surprise every time, which feels oddly fitting.
So Which Cars Can Actually Run This?
To pull off either theme, you’ll need Hyundai’s latest ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) infotainment system. That currently narrows compatibility down to the Staria, Sonata, Palisade, Nexo, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 9 — with more models expected to be added down the line. If you’re driving something older, sorry, no Snorlax for you.
For those lucky enough to qualify, both themes are available through Hyundai’s BlueLink Store or app, and once purchased, they’re tied to your account permanently. Switch them on when you want to feel like a 10-year-old on a Pokémon journey. Switch them off when your boss is getting a ride and you need to maintain some semblance of professionalism.
The price? A lifetime license runs ₩29,900 — roughly $21 USD. That’s less than a booster pack haul at your local game store and, frankly, a better investment than half the cards you’d pull.
What About the Rest of Us?
Here’s the bad news for North American and European fans: for now, this is a South Korea exclusive. There’s no official word on a wider rollout, though given how well Pokémon and nostalgia-driven content tend to perform globally, it’s hard to imagine the idea staying locked behind a regional border forever.
Until a global release happens, western fans will just have to sit with their perfectly boring instrument clusters and dream. We’ll be watching this one closely and wondering: what if your car was also a Pokédex?