Page 69 - ElectriCar Magazine
P. 69

 Hybrid: $24,155
Plug-In Hybrid: $27,455
MPGe: 58 (combined)
Horsepower: 156 hp (combined) Electric Motor: 60hp - 240V Battery Engine: 1.6 L 4-cylinder Transmission: 6 Speed, Dual Clutch Automatic
the rear seats won’t inspire outrage on the part of your passengers, several competitors offer more room to spread out. The Ioniq fits about as much luggage as other members of its class and more than some larger competitors. Interior cubby storage lags behind competitors, but Hyundai has employed some clever tricks to maximize what space is available. The Plug-In version gives up some cargo space compared with the hybrid model. You can blame the larger battery pack for the deficit,
but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker. Hyundai launched the Ioniq to fight the Toyota Prius on its own turf. It’s a compact four-door liftback. It comes
in three versions including a limited- range Electric Vehicle, a Plug-In Hybrid and a regular Mild Hybrid.
The latter is the most fuel-efficient car sold in America. The base model Ioniq Hybrid can earn 58 miles per gallon combined; a limited trim example is good for 55 MPGe. That efficiency, not sportiness or sex appeal is why one buys a Hyundai Ioniq.
There is no disputing that All-Electric Vehicles are more environmentally friendly than a Mild Hybrid and
they are almost always more fun
to drive. Hyundai’s Kona Electric delivers instant torque to help accelerate through everyday traffic and you can broadcast your zero- emissions status with a vanity plate.
The Ioniq Hybrid does offer one critical advantage over comparable Electric Vehicles. The base Hybrid Ioniq starts at just $22,200; that
is about $15,000 less than a base electric car and about $2,000 cheaper than a Prius. Perhaps best of all for many buyers; unlike many vehicles dedicated to being green, it feels like a normal car.
Driving a Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is pleasantly nondescript. It speeds from 0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds. But that is still as quick as the base-model Subaru SUV and few people are avoiding them because they are too slow. It uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission rather than a Continuously Variable Transmission,
making powertrain transitions feel far less jarring. I wouldn’t describe it as a precision instrument, but
it handles itself comfortably at highway speeds, and doesn’t feel like it’s about to fall apart traversing potholes. If your goal is to use less gasoline, the Ioniq Hybrid is just fine.
Base models come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and auxiliary and USB ports, swank accommodations for an entry-level model. Top trims use a 10.3-inch screen that includes navigation. Hyundai’s touchscreen interface is easy to use and performed well.
The Ioniq hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid were named Top Safety Picks by
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but none have been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Every Ioniq comes standard with a bevy of driver- assistance features, while upper
trim levels include even more active- safety equipment such as an ability to detect pedestrians in the car’s path.
Most electric and hybrid cars advertise their fuel efficiency with bright lights, aggressive styling and some prominent eco-badging. The Ioniq Hybrid looks like your standard budget compact..
It only has one quirky feature which is the rear window. The trunk of the vehicle is high and it results in a rear window that faces upward more than backward. Hyundai countered this not with a full redesign but by adding a second glass panel on the back of the car which creates an odd split view.
While driving conservatively, keeping the Ioniq in its default “Eco- mode”, it earned 39 MPGe instead of the EPA-listed 55 MPGe over about 100 miles of mixed driving.
For 2020, the Ioniq line sees a number of improvements. The Electric Vehicle gets a larger battery pack
and an onboard charger that increase the total driving range to 170 miles.
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq is fully prepared for this new world order which now includes a full lineup of each type of car.
allowing drivers to approximate the one-pedal driving style that Tesla has become popularized among Electric Vehicle manufacturers.
The good news is that the Plug-In Ioniq charges quickly at a 240-volt outlet, requiring a bit more than two hours to restore full charge. If a 120- volt outlet is all that is available, a full charge will take slightly less than nine hours. The Ioniq Electric is rated at 170 miles of Electric Vehicle range, with an EPA-estimated 145 MPGe
in the city and 121 MPGe on the highway, making it more efficient than many Electric Vehicle competitors. The Plug-In variant is rated by the EPA to provide up to 29 miles of combined electric driving range.
The base Ioniq model is the most fuel-efficient hybrid on the market.
The Ioniq’s cabin is comfortable and attractive even in base trim, and it can be well-appointed in more expensive versions. Adding to its green credence, Hyundai sourced sustainable materials for the Ioniq’s interior, using composites made of sugar cane and volcanic rock. While
JUNE 2020
67
 

































































   67   68   69   70   71