The Ioniq positively is not as weird-looking as a Prius.
Hyundai
The Hyundai Ioniq is exclusive in that it is one of many few vehicles obtainable as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or absolutely electrical mannequin. Originally launched in 2016, this 12 months’s Ioniq has up to date styling and expertise, and begins at $24,195 together with vacation spot. It’s lots frugal, however do not count on too many thrills. This is one hybrid that positively prioritizes economic system and luxury over any type of enjoyable.
LikeExcellent gasoline economyLots of cargo spaceAttractive look
Don’t LikeDark interiorMediocre handlingMany driver-assistance options aren’t customary.
For this evaluate, I’ve the usual Ioniq Hybrid in its range-topping Limited trim, which has a powerful EPA gasoline economic system score of 55 miles per gallon mixed. SE, SEL and a higher-efficiency Blue mannequin are additionally supplied, the final of which ups the gasoline economic system score to 58 mpg.The Ioniq’s styling tweaks work effectively, with a brand new mesh grille, glossy headlamps and up to date LED rear lighting — tweaks that arrived for the 2020 mannequin 12 months. It would not scream, “Hey, I’m a hybrid!” like a Toyota Prius, and I like that. But it nonetheless has a bit of fashion that units it aside from a Honda Insight or Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
The Ioniq Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a 32-kilowatt electrical motor, with a 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery situated beneath the rear seats. Total system output is 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.The excellent news is that the DCT makes for a way more pleasurable driving expertise than the constantly variable transmissions present in most different compact hybrids. The dangerous information, when you really like driving, is that it is also tuned for gasoline economic system above all, that means it tends to upshift earlier than really moving into the center of the facility band. Sport mode helps issues just a little, however for these new to hybrids, the Ioniq’s lackluster acceleration could be a deal-breaker.
These spiffy wheels are additionally good for aerodynamics.
Hyundai
On the numerous hills the place I stay within the Bay Area, the Ioniq tends to battle in its Eco driving mode. It’s usually uncertain whether or not to shift and save on gasoline or to maintain the revs excessive and make it up a steep hill at an inexpensive pace. In Eco mode, the steering wheel-mounted paddles let me modify the regenerative braking, so at the least I’m capable of recuperate plenty of vitality on downhill slopes. When it is time to dig into the mechanical brakes, nevertheless, they’re jerky and tough.
As for dealing with, effectively, sure, it handles. The Ioniq feels floaty over tough pavement, however when you’re critically contemplating a compact hybrid I doubt its lackluster highway manners will actually be a prime precedence. Instead, you in all probability care extra about driving aids, and to that finish, forward-collision warning, a driver consideration monitor, lane-keeping help and high-beam help are customary, however it’s a must to leap to the SE to get blind-spot monitoring and to the SEL so as to add adaptive cruise management. The cool Highway Drive Assist, that helps drivers by combining the lane-keeping tech and adaptive cruise management, is barely obtainable on the highest Limited trim. A regular 8-inch touchscreen runs Hyundai’s BlueHyperlink infotainment system in addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however my tester rocks the bigger 10.2-inch display. With this feature I can join two telephones through Bluetooth concurrently, which is cool if you wish to have one particular person related for cellphone calls and one other to play DJ on highway journeys. Hope you want black — it is the one inside shade obtainable.
Hyundai
Overall, Hyundai’s infotainment system is simple to make use of, though I do not like that I all the time have to return to the house web page to toggle between the native system and Apple CarPlay. The voice management appears to be just a little iffy, too, by no means understanding my house deal with in Oakland, California. It tries to ship me to Texas at one level, Nevada the following. Wireless charging is out there on higher trim ranges, as are two 12-volt shops, a USB-A port up entrance and one other one within the middle console.Black is the one inside shade obtainable on the Hybrid Limited, and whereas it is too darkish for me, others may not thoughts a lot. There’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel, too, which I assume is good? But anyway, the cabin supplies are all of fine high quality contemplating the Ioniq’s value, and I by no means hear any squeaks or rattles. Heated entrance seats can be found beginning on the SE trim, however ventilated seats aren’t on the menu. The Ioniq Hybrid has 26.5 cubic ft of area in its rear hatch, handily beating out the competitors’s sedan physique kinds. The Toyota Corolla’s trunk can solely deal with 13.1 cubes, whereas the Honda Insight does barely higher with 15.1. However, you will discover a bit extra room within the Toyota Prius’ hatch: 27.4. That’s for the Prius L Eco, at the least; observe that different Prius trims have a bit much less room (24.6 cubic ft), so the Ioniq bests ’em.The Ioniq will get a powerful 55 mpg.
Hyundai
Personally, I’d advocate going for the SEL trim, which is available in at $29,395 together with $995 for vacation spot. There aren’t any choices so as to add however the SEL comes with heated seats, wi-fi charging, adaptive cruise management and extra. It doesn’t include entrance and rear parking sensors, however contemplating my Limited tester’s sensors are tremendous delicate and the Ioniq is a small automobile with good outward visibility, I do not assume you’d actually need them.Obviously the Ioniq’s greatest competitor is the Toyota Prius, and it has one main benefit: obtainable all-wheel drive. No, the AWD Prius is not fairly as environment friendly, coming in at 49 mpg mixed, but it surely’s barely cheaper than the aforementioned Ioniq SEL and will deal with significantly better in snowy climate. If value is your most vital consideration, take a look at the Honda Insight, which begins at $23,925 together with vacation spot, beating out the Ioniq and Toyota Corolla Hybrid by a number of hundred bucks.The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid is an efficient alternative for folk who need nice gasoline economic system at an inexpensive value. The driving expertise might not be probably the most partaking, however what it lacks in involvement it greater than makes up for in effectivity.