Hyundai Ioniq electric review

If you think an electric car (EV) might fit in with your lifestyle, then the Hyundai Ioniq is the Korean company’s answer to other EVs such as the Volkswagen e-Golf and Nissan Leaf. The Hyundai Ioniq is also available as a petrol-electric hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, but the model here is the all-electric version.

It gets its power from a 28kw lithium-ion polymer battery that gives an official range of 174 miles – although 130-140 miles between a charge seems more realistic. Replenishing the battery from empty takes 12 hours (from a conventional plug), 4 hours (using Hyundai’s home-install Pod Point) or just 33 mins using a 50kw fast charger.

Brimmed with electricity, the Ioniq is no more difficult to drive than a conventional car which, says Hyundai, was the whole point. That being said, there are some obvious electric-power traits such as its instant acceleration from a standstill and (aside from a generated, pedestrian-alerting hum) its near-silent running.

There’s even some fun to be had from behind the wheel. The electric model’s batteries sit flat in the car’s chassis to give it a low centre of gravity, something the aluminium bonnet and boot also help with. As a result, the Ioniq corners flat and true – qualities the responsive steering helps you make full use of.

Pure-electric cars aren’t for everybody, but our improving infrastructure and the range available these days mean more and more people should be considering one – just maybe not this one.

More to the point, the interior is practical – offering enough room for a family of four and their luggage. Its conventional design could have been taken from any other Hyundai and build quality is pretty good, too, although an e-Golf is even more plush inside. The same goes for the VW’s touchscreen infotainment system, which is easier to use and more modern to look at than the Hyundai’s.

At least the Ioniq’s equipment levels are high – even basic SE models come with 15-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights, cruise control, and a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

There are a couple of other considerations though – the Electric looks expensive next to the standard hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Ioniq, while owning any EV will requires more research and planning to work out whether it really will fit in with day-to-day life.

Still, if it does, then it should certainly be on your list of test drives.