Page 68 - ElectriCar Magazine

The base Ioniq Blue model is the most fuel-efficient hybrid on the market
Ioniq hybrid is more efficient than the Toyota Prius with an EPA city/ highway combined rating of up
to 58 MPGe. While the different powertrains give each Ioniq model
unique characteristics, every version is packed with features that make it a great value, including a standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Refinement isn’t the Ioniq’s strong suit, though, and there are several compelling alternatives. The Honda Insight is more pleasant to drive, the Toyota Prius can be equipped with all-wheel drive, and the Corolla hybrid costs less. All
of these competitors deliver similar efficiency as the Ioniq Hybrid.
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric receives significant powertrain updates for 2020. Horsepower increases from 118 to 134 hp, a larger battery pack improves range from 124 to 170 miles, and a more powerful 7.2-kW charger shortens recharge times. The hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and electric models also receive a refreshed exterior and interior design for 2020, with the
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standard infotainment screen growing from 7.0 to 8.0 inches. Hyundai’s SmartSense driver-assistance system is also new to the Ioniq range. It is standard on all Ioniqs and includes forward-collision avoidance, driver- attention warning, automatic high- beams, and lane-keeping assist.
The Plug-In Hybrid Ioniq’s combination of
a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, electric motor, and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will be familiar
You should probably skip the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, as its weak 60-hp electric motor means the gas engine often fires up to keep pace with
city traffic, even when the battery is fully charged. The longer range of the 2020 Ioniq Electric makes that model a much more compelling purchase than in the past, but it’s
only sold in fourteen states. The Ioniq hybrid isn’t quick,
requiring 8.9 seconds to accelerate from zero-to-sixty mph. Shift timing isn’t perfect in Eco mode; the transmission pauses too long
to downshift when you want to accelerate. The Ioniq Electric doesn’t feel as zippy as the Chevy Bolt from standstill, forcing the driver to dip deeper into the throttle to achieve
the instant zoom that makes EVs so appealing. The Plug-In Hybrid Ioniq’s combination of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, electric motor, and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will be familiar to fans of the Ioniq and its cousin, the Kia Niro. The Ioniq holds its own on curvy roads, responding obediently to steering inputs and maintaining a firm grip on the road.
If pushed hard in corners, the body leans, but overall the car feels stable and competent in most every situation. Pleasantly surprising are its composed ride and relaxed highway manners.
All Ioniqs have steering-wheel
paddles that you can use to modulate the level of regenerative braking,
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