ALL-ELECTRIC IONIQ GOES A LONG WAY
Range eases recharge worries
Hyundai’s Ioniq Electric Limited is an enjoyable and comfortable car that chuckles as it breezes by gas stations and makes the prospect of owning a nonfossil fuel burning car a real possibility.
With a range of 112 miles on the highway and 150 miles in the city, the Ioniq can be a viable means of transportation for almost anyone. And thanks to the availability of charging stations in Boston, even those living in the suburbs can consider buying this car. But if the thought of having to suddenly make a 200mile trip to New York City would make you a little nervous, this car may not be for you.
Charging the Ioniq’s 88 kW, 118 hp electric engine can be accomplished in as little as four hours using a standard household electrical outlet to charge the vehicle that Hyundai says is the most efficient electric car sold in America. With an average annual “fuel” cost of $500, this sedan could potentially save you $4,500 over five years. At an MSRP of $36,835, that is a big chunk of money you could save.
You can also recharge the
battery automatically by using engine braking and I was surprised to see the Ioniq uses little to no energy while parked with the air conditioning and stereo on. In fact, I found doing so barely made a dent in the car’s range.
The battery is backed by a lifetime warranty. A fastcharging system is also an option.
This Hyundai is equipped with many comfort and convenience features. It has very comfortable heated leather seats, a 7-inch color touch screen display, a power sunroof and an Infinity premium 8-speaker sound system with navigation.
The Ioniq has a sport driving mode that provides substantially more acceleration — often too much for the tires to handle — and offers an array of safety features including automatic braking, lane-departure warning and smart cruise control.
The exterior of our tester was — appropriately — “electric” blue. The metallic paint looks as if it actually uses battery power and the lines of the car are sleek. And since there’s no need for air venting, it has a non-traditional solid front grille framed by LED accent lighting.
The Hyundai Ioniq is perfect for short- and medium-range driving and can get you from point A to point B quickly without exhausting the battery. So, if you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, the Ioniq is a good value and a truly enjoyable car.