Hyundai Ioniq

Ioniq adds a range of flavours to the EV and Hybrid market. Damien O’carroll reports.

To start any article about Korean manufacturer Hyundai with the phrase “Hyundai New Zealand is on something of a roll” is somewhat superfluous, particularly as 2016 has seen the distributor complete its 14th consecutive year of growth and cement its position as the second largest seller of SUVS in New Zealand. But while the SUV segment is surging ahead, the passenger car segment is still static, so why is Hyundai – with all that strength in its SUV line up – launching a new range of liftbacks? Because, despite appearances, the new Ioniq range is not traditional in the slightest – the Ioniq is Hyundai’s first stab at a dedicated EV. It is also Hyundai’s first go at a a unique hybrid platform and it is also Hyundai’s first ever plug-in hybrid. And that is because the Ioniq is a car that comes with three different drive-train choices – hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric. Roughly the same size as an Elantra (same wheelbase and 100mm shorter overall, but 20mm wider and 20mm taller) the Ioniq is aimed squarely at the Toyota Prius, but with the addition of a pure electric version that Hyundai claim a range of around 200km on a full charge for. The hybrid gets a conventional hybrid drivetrain (petrol engine up front with an electric motor helping out), but instead of the usual continuously variable transmission, the Ioniq gets a six-speed dual clutch transmission. The petrol engine is an Atkinson cycle version of Hyundai’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 77kw of power and 147Nm of torque, while the permanent magnet synchronous electric motor adds 32kw bringing the total to 104kw and 265Nm. The plug-in hybrid, which is still a while off yet, will be similarly powered, but with a larger battery than the hybrid’s to allow extended running on electricity alone. The EV has a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor hooked up to a 28kwh battery that produces 88kw of power and 295Nm of torque. Hyundai claims fuel consumption of just 3.9L/100km for the hybrid and, of course, absolutely nothing for the EV. Hyundai says that on a DC fast charger an 80 percent charge will take around 20 to 30 minutes, while plugging it into a wall socket at home will take 16 to 18 hours. Hyundai will sell you (for $1,500 plus installation of around $1,000) a home wall charger that will cut the time down to a four to five hours for a complete 100 percent charge from empty. The Ioniq comes to New Zealand in two trim levels across both the hybrid and EV, with both following similar equipment levels. The entry car in hybrid form costs $46,990, while the EV costs $59,990. Both come standard with seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane keep assist and departure warning, a touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, Bluetooth audio streaming and phone connectivity and electric heated side mirrors. While the hybrid rides on 15-inch alloy wheels, the EV comes on 16-inch alloys. The electric-only cars also gets a larger touchscreen (eight-inch versus the hybrid’s five-inch screen, with the addition of Apple Carplay and Android Auto), an electric park brake, tyre pressure monitoring and front parking sensors. Elite form ($52,990 for the hybrid and $65,990 for the EV) in both adds automatic headlights. rain sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights, the tyre pressure monitoring system, front parking sensors, LED headlights, leather seats,and trim, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and start, a heated steering wheel, a premium sound system and dual zone climate control. While the Elite EV runs on the same 16-inch alloy wheels as the entry EV, the Elite hybrid gets unique 17-inch alloy wheels. Probably the best thing about both forms of the Ioniq is that they both just look and feel like normal cars. Neither make any demands on you to alter your driving style in any way to get the best out of them, although the EV does require a bit more planning before you head off on a long journey. Both have a nicely balanced feel on the road and impressively refined rides. While they’re not exactly sports cars, they certainly hold their own in an enjoyable fashion on a winding road. The high level of standard equipment - even on the entry level hybrid – is impressive, as is the fact that Hyundai are the first to get such a highly equipped EV under $60K. Drastic changes to the way we use and own cars are heading our way in the near future, and with cars like the Ioniq heading the charge we can’t help but actually feel excited about that.