HD Hyundai’s first five Next-Gen HX excavators feature fully electro-hydraulic controls

HD Construction Equipment Hyundai North America introduced the first five of its Next-Generation HX excavator models at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026. FEH, or fully electro-hydraulic controls, make these new excavators run more smoothly while also increasing productivity by at least 22 percent. Also, the new, award-winning DX Series Hyundai engines powering these HX models are nearly 10 percent more fuel efficient.

The five new models, the HX230, HX260, HX300, HX360, and HX400, are rated at 186, 226, 277, 300, and 336 net hp, respectively, with operating weights of 52,260; 58,140; 72,800; 81,700, and 92,240 pounds. Standard bucket capacities range from 1.2 cubic yards to 2.66 cubic yards. Hyundai plans to introduce a sixth Next-Gen model to North America, the HX210, later this year. 

According to Joe Hodges, Hyundai's product manager for excavators, the Next-Generation HX models incorporate productivity-driving upgrades, as well as numerous features that make these models even more comfortable, safer, and easier to service. "Owners and operators alike will appreciate the practical, smart technologies that help these excavators deliver everything you expect from Hyundai and more," he said.

With the FEH system that comes standard on all Hyundai Next-Gen HX excavators, everything from the joysticks to the pumps is electric, so there is none of the hydraulic loss that occurs in traditional systems. This gives the operator faster, more precise control, while optimizing electric power for reduced fuel consumption. Savings vary somewhat by model, but with their new high-performance Hyundai engines, these excavators are at least nine percent more fuel efficient than previous models, while using less DEF.

Precise controls, smooth operation

In addition to the precision and smooth operation provided by the FEH controls, these Hyundai models feature joystick steering, spring-strength adjusted lever controls, and an optional straight-travel pedal. 

Hyundai has upgraded other operator comfort features, including making standard a wider, heated/cooled seat and improved venting for climate control. 

New, larger-capacity, heavy-duty buckets and arms, standard on all HX models, increase productivity. An optional onboard weighing function estimates and displays the weight of objects in the bucket to enable calculating trucking costs and shipping volumes onsite.

Built for the rigors of the toughest applications, Hyundai Next-Gen HX excavators, feature strengthened upper and lower structures that have been tested to withstand external shocks and operations under heavy loads. Hyundai has also made the booms and arms more durable by increasing the box size on the booms and redesigning the structure of the arms.

Extended service intervals

"Hyundai has always designed machines with fast, easy maintenance in mind, so our customers can spend more time producing revenue and less time servicing equipment," Hodges said. "Owners and fleet managers will appreciate that we have extended replacement intervals for engine oil, engine filters, and fuel filters from 500 to 1,000 hours when they use CK-4 engine oil, and extended coolant replacement intervals from 2,000 to 6,000 hours."

Other technology features on the HX excavator series 

These new machines come with five years of Hyundai Connect, the upgraded version of Hyundai's proprietary Hi MATE remote-management system, free of charge. This includes location tracking and theft prevention, maintenance notifications, and fleet monitoring.

Other technologies standard on the Next-Gen HX excavators include Equipment Health Monitoring that enables real-time monitoring of equipment conditions to predict potential failures and avoid machine downtime, the e-boundary safety and productivity feature that can warn the operator when they approach pre-set boundaries, and a white-noise alert tone that uses a wideband frequency to warn people on the job site of the machine's presence. The sound quickly dissipates compared to other buzzers, reducing noise complaints.
 
Optional technologies available with the Next-Gen HX excavators include 330-degree advanced detection to the sides and rear of the machine, with visual and audible warnings to alert the operator and slow or stop the machine if an object enters the warning zone; Smart Around View Monitoring that works off six cameras and applies AI to automatically detect people passing or working around the machine during operation.