Covering the Bases

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid SEL

and not missed here. All models are front-wheel-drive. Ioniq corners confidently and has a good quality ride. Handling and steering feel aren’t sporty, but then again they aren’t designed to be — the goal here being economical travel.

Ioniq seats five. Six-footers can fit (snugly) behind like-size front row passengers. In this regard, Prius Prime has a slight edge over Ioniq and Insight in front leg room.

The Honda tops the trio in back seat leg room, with 37.4 inches, compared to 35.7 inches in Ioniq and 33.4 inches in the Toyota.

Cargo capacity in Ioniq is (at 26.5 cubic feet), notably more than Prius Prime (20) or Insight (15.1). The split-rear seatbacks fold to a mostly flat forward position, though the result is a split-level load floor for long items. Thick c-pillars hinder ¾ rear visibility, making the blind spot detection in SEL and Premium trims worthwhile. Split glass in the hatchback backlight enhances your straight back view. Dash materials have an economy car look and feel.

The sole flaw with the 7-inch center touchscreen is that you’ll need to de-glove during winter to get it to accept input. HVAC controls in mid center stack are straight forward in operation. The infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple Carplay, so drivers can access compatible, smartphone functions through the display. Like a navigation app, for example, which is otherwise only available in Ioniq’s Premium trim model, as part

For this price, you have an unassuming, practical and very economical hatchback.

THE IONIQ is Hyundai’s compact, five-door liftback, now available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions. Along with an electric motor, the SEL hybrid (above) gets its power from a 1.6L Atkinson cycle four-cylinder (left).