If you've only seen the Hyundai Ioniq in photographs, you might assume it's a family hatchback, but appearances can be deceiving—it's actually a large electric SUV, nearly as big as an Audi Q5. In fact, the 3-metre distance between the front and rear axles matches that of the A8 limousine, offering passengers an impressive amount of space.
Hyundai provides plenty of options within the Ioniq range, allowing you to choose between two battery sizes and either rear-wheel– or four-wheel–drive. Additionally, there are three trim levels, along with several optional extras designed to ease the challenges of electric car ownership (and life in general). It's not a budget option, but it does offer a respectable range between charges and can recharge very quickly.
Equipment, options and extras
Our recommendation is the rear-wheel–drive Ioniq with the larger battery (RWD 228PS) in Premium trim. This choice keeps the price reasonable while still providing a good amount of standard equipment, including dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel and front seats, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, and a powered tailgate.
The top-spec Ultimate and Namsan Edition models come packed with features, but they bring the price uncomfortably close to the more luxurious Genesis GV60. Unfortunately, the Premium and Ultimate trims do not include a heat pump as standard for more efficient interior heating in colder weather. To get one, you’ll need to pay extra or opt for the range-topping Namsan Edition.
However, all models do come with the innovative V2L (vehicle-to-load) function, a small device that plugs into the car's charging socket, transforming the Ioniq into a mobile 3.5kW three-pin plug socket. You can use it to boil a kettle, power a lawnmower, or even charge another electric vehicle (albeit slowly).
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The Hyundai Ioniq has a significantly lower starting price than the closely related Kia EV6, primarily because it's offered with a smaller (54kWh) battery. However, if you opt for the larger (77kWh usable) battery, the price difference becomes less noticeable.
The 77kWh models offer a maximum charging rate of 238kW, theoretically allowing you to achieve a 10–80% charge in just 17 minutes. The smaller (54kWh) battery model takes a similar amount of time for a 10-80% charge, with speeds of up to 175kW.
It's important to note that, given the relatively low number of super-fast public chargers currently available in the UK, you're more likely to be charging at 50–100kW. At the lower end of this range, a 10–80% charge will take around 70 minutes. While more fast-charging points will be available in the future, it will take quite some time before they become as widespread as the excellent Supercharger network that Tesla drivers currently enjoy.
Safety and security
The Ioniq earned a full five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, largely thanks to its extensive range of active safety features designed to help you avoid accidents in the first place.
All models come equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) that can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, as well as lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed limit assist, blind spot assist, rear–cross-traffic alert, and a system that monitors driver attentiveness.
Reliability
The Ioniq comes with a 5-year unlimited-mileage warranty on most parts, and an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty on the battery.
The Car Planet verdict
The Ioniq blends eye-catching design with impressive range, smooth driving characteristics, and a roomy, practical interior. The best value is found in the entry-level rear-wheel drive model with the larger battery (RWD 228PS) in Premium trim. This configuration offers a more affordable option compared to the closely related Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6.
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