Hyundai Ioniq hybrid is all about efficiency

Model ready to turn heads with rating of 58 miles per gallon

GOLETA, CALIF. With all the talk about hybrid and electric cars, you’d think they’d be making a bigger impact on the sales lot. They aren’t. Hybrids from all brands made up only 2% of sales in 2016, and plug- in hybrids and pure electrics contributed another 1%, Hyundai says. Against the backdrop of cheap gas and a buyers’ sudden affection for SUVs, maybe the pitiful sales figures are not surprising.

But with tougher restrictions on tailpipe emissions to fight global warming forcing better fuel economy, automakers can’t afford to go without some more fuel- sipping models — even if they’re tough to sell.

So Hyundai just came up with a model that it hopes will get ecocar buyers chattering. The new Ioniq hybrid comes with a distinct selling point that should make it an instant contender: better gas mileage than the perennial industry hybrid leader, Toyota Prius.

Ioniq is rated at 58 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving for its base version, called the Blue. That will not only be the highest rating of any car without a plug, but will best Prius by 2 mpg.

The more upscale versions of Ionic are rated at 55 mpg combined.

The new Hyundai could be a welcome alternative for those turned off by the recent- vintage Prius’ funky styling. Ioniq achieves low wind drag in a more conventional design.

Forget that Ioniq is a hybrid and you’ll pretty much think you’re driving any economy car. It’s built on the same platform and has the same drivetrain as the Kia Niro, a new small crossover from Hyundai’s sister brand. We raved about the Niro in our recent review because of how it melded economy and practicality in a unique way. Ioniq nails the fuel savings but didn’t strike us as terribly memorable otherwise.

Driving near Goleta, home to the University of California, Santa Barbara, we found the Ioniq to have enough pep for freeway onramps, but there’s little to boast about if you want to be wowed behind the wheel.

Ioniq will be sold as a hybrid, a plug- in hybrid and a full electric ( which we will review at a later date.)

With the plug- in not yet available, the focus is on the hybrid, which uses a 1.6- liter 4- cylinder engine in conjunction with an electric motor. Together, they deliver 139 horsepower. The powertrain is paired to a 6- speed dual- clutch transmission.

The battery is tucked under the rear seat, a feature that ensures that it doesn’t encroach on passenger space. One nice touch: The lithium- ion polymer battery starts the car. Drivers will never get caught with a dead conventional lead- acid battery again, because none is aboard.

Hyundai also says Ioniq has more room inside than a Prius. Two 6- foot- 2 dudes fit fine in the Ioniq — me in the front seat and another fellow directly behind in the back seat.

The sedan also has a spiffy interior. We were particularly impressed by the high- quality grain on the dashboard.

So OK, America is living large again and automakers can’t produce hulking SUVs fast enough. But there’s still room for those who want a small, cheaper, more Earth- friendly lifestyle.

For them, Ioniq could just be the tonic.

HYUNDAI The Ioniq offers better gas mileage than the industry leader, the Toyota Prius.

Hyundai claims that the Ioniq has more room inside than its competitors. The high- quality dashboard was also impressive.

The Ioniq is built on the same platform as the Kia Niro.

The new Hyundai deploys a more conventional design.