THE CAR IN FACTS

Hyundai’s‘holytrinity’ofgreen cars are making waves in the ecoworldwitheverymodelcovered and every need met.

They become the first manufacturer globally to feature hybrid, plug-in and electric in their line-up, promising low to zero emissions, sleek design and a impressive driving experience.

The Ioniq model covers all three electrified powertrains, shakingupmoreestablishedrivals and breathing some fresh airintoafuturisticconceptthat hasslowlygrownandwill,inevitably, snowball at some stage.

When it does so, Hyundai have made sure they are at the forefront.

I have been driving the ‘belt and braces’ Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid–thevehiclethatautomaticallyswitchesbetweenelectric and petrol power at any given point. A kind of halfway house to the full electric experience, but with the peace of mind that you aren’t going to get stranded somewhere too far from an electric point.

As an introduction to the electric experience, the Ioniq Hybrid comes highly recommended. Its principal rival the Toyota Prius for example, which blazedtheoriginaltrail, seemsclumsyandchar- acterlessbycomparison

– a functional but inert model. Whereas the Ioniqisfarmorecomfortableandinvolving,aswell asbeingagenuinelooker.

The Hybrid Premium SE 1.6 GDImodelItestedisalmostthe exact size of a Mercedes-Benz C-Classandisn’tshamedalongsideit–adramaticbarredfront grille segues seamlessly into the lights cluster while boomerang-shaped LED driving lights make the car’s presence instantly recognisable.

The interior is equally as smart and contemporary, well finished and ordered, with neatly clustered instruments and soft touch surfaces.

Upmarket features on the test car included three-temperature heated seats which can also keep cool in summer and that godsend on chilly mornings, the heatedsteeringwheel. Thankfully main instrumentation is simple and relatively classic, with a conventional speedo, althoughtherevcounter hasbeenreplacedbya power indicator. The main touchscreen infotainment s et-up is uncomplicated and user friendlywhileallyour connection points lie conveniently ahead of the centre console in a protective well. Like all petrol hybrids, the Ioniq is an eerily silent starter and smooth-running cruiser and the new Kappa 1.6 GDI

four-cylinder engine offers plenty of healthy acceleration for safe overtaking and brisk progress.

Cruise control features a built-in safety system that automatically slows the car if it considers you are approaching a car in front too closely.

A 200-mile return journey I undertook in the Ioniq flagged up the car’s class-leading ride quality and overall comfort and the Ioniq is for me the best handling and involving hybrid I have tested so far.

Minor irritations included all-too frequent mystery ‘bong’ alertswhichIfailedtobeableto turn off and slightly hard seats but overall, Ioniq ticks every box for the eco-minded driver who wants to dip a toe into the water with a lifebelt on.

Seamless progress in electric or petrol modes will soon Price: £23,995

Engine: 1.6-litre, fourcylinder petrol and 32kW electric motor

Power: 139bhp

Torque: 195lb/ft Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Top speed: 115mph 0-62mph: 11.1 seconds Economy: 70.6mpg combined

CO2 emissions: 92g/km make you forget the complicationsofthesystemautomatically switching between systems. Letting the computer do the work is half the fun of cuttingedge hybrid, best-of-bothworlds travel.