The hybrid standard
Hyundai Ioniq GLS Hybrid
constructed cabin. Soft-touch materials are used throughout the dash, and each button and knob feels and looks premium. The controls are highly intuitive and easy to understand. An integrated eight-inch touchscreen display handles infotainment features, while a semi-digital cluster does a great job of relaying information pertaining to the various states of the battery and your driving habits. The leather seats are power adjustable up front, with the rear seats capable of a 60/40 split. Combined with the liftgate, this gives you loads more room than a conventional sedan, though the total available cargo space with the rear seats folded down doesn’t create a perfectly flat platform. Nevertheless, it’s more than suitable for carrying luggage or long items on a trip.
Space at the rear is surprisingly generous, though taller individuals (around six feet or taller) will find their heads start to graze the ceiling. Slightly recessed seats at the rear means a more uncomfortable ride for the middle occupant, but thanks to great legroom, good shoulder-to-shoulder room, plus rear air-conditioning vents, it’s still a manageable place to be even on relatively long trips. Overall, the Ioniq Hybrid’s cabin is a great representation of the brand’s capability to showcase a more premium-level build on their sedans and hatchbacks, with very little to complain about in terms of materials, construction, or ergonomics.
Hybrid power
The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter Kappa four-cylinder engine that produces 105 hp and 148 Nm of torque, and an electric motor that delivers an additional 43 hp and 169 Nm of torque powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery with a capacity of 1.56 kWh. Combined, the Hyundai Ioniq has a total output of 139 hp and 264 Nm of torque, which is more than enough to get you through any urban scenario, whether zipping through traffic, cruising around the city, or overtaking at high speed. Like most hybrid vehicles, the electric motor’s battery gets charged either through the petrol engine, or through regenerative braking. You can select between Sport or Eco modes which determine how aggressively the system switches between the petrol engine and the electric motor. It also affects the weight of the steering wheel which changes from a very light city-friendly feel to a more weighty feel for sportier drives.
Gentle prodding of the acceleracombat the world’s looming climate and energy problems would do well to check out the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, which offers a well-rounded kit for the asking price.