2020 Hyundai Ioniq review: Massive boost in range to benefit buyers

Electric cars in Australia are held back by their lack of range, but Hyundai’s updated Ioniq has gone a long way to resolve those issues.

Hyundai updated the Ioniq Electric for 2020.

Ever bought something pitched as one-size-fits-all that wasn’t quite right? Hyundai knows your pain.

That’s why the Hyundai Ioniq is the only car on sale encouraging green-minded customers to choose from three forms of electrification — you can have it as a mild hybrid, with plug-in hybrid power or as a dedicated EV.

The message: if there’s no singular green solution to suit everyone, you can choose a car that’s close to meeting your individual requirements.

Hyundai has boosted the Ioniq Electric’s range by 107km.

In the update for 2020, the Ioniq gets an exterior nip-and-tuck with textured grilles, fresh LED lighting and new wheels.

Inside, the new dashboard frames a fresh 10.25-inch widescreen display, loaded with satnav and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, that contributes to the $800 price rise in the standard model. It looks great, works well and helps separate the Ioniq from cheaper denizens of the Hyundai showroom.

The Ioniq range includes a standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions.

As before, the cabin is spacious and reasonably well-appointed. It feels a cut above regular Hyundai models such as the i30 or Elantra, particularly in optional Premium trim.

Other changes include revised adaptive headlights and new lane keeping assist that helps to steer your car in the middle of its lane. This feature is stronger-willed than most, determined to keep the car on what it sees as the correct path as opposed to guiding with the occasional nudge.

The range starts from $34,790 plus on-roads for the standard Ioniq Hybrid. A self-confined unit that you can’t plug it into an electrical source, it combines a 1.6-litre, 77kW petrol engine with a 32kW electric motor and comparatively tiny 1.56kWh battery that charges when you brake.

The Ioniq feels a cut above other base Hyundai models such as the i30.

At $41,990 plus on-roads, the plug-in hybrid version adds a more powerful 44.5kW electric motor (but the same 104kW total output) and larger 8.9kWh battery. It can plug into mains power to top up the battery and drive up to 63km on electricity alone.

Hyundai claims rather fanciful 1.1L/100km fuel economy for the plug-in, which is useful only in comparison with other vehicles.

Those with a short commute could drive for months without using a drop of fuel, while those who need to do longer runs will need to top up the petrol tank more regularly than that figure suggests — you’re running on fossil fuel once the battery charge is depleted.

The revised suspension makes for a smoother ride.

Committed to fuel-free motoring? The Ioniq Electric starts at $48,490 plus on-roads, a sharp $3500 increase on the outgoing mode, but benefits from a bigger 38.3kWh battery and new liquid cooling set-up that delivers 107km of additional range, for a total of 311km under Europe’s tough, new real-world standard.

That’s rather more than entry-level electric rivals such as the more expensive Nissan Leaf (270km) or next year’s MG ZS EV (262km).

The Ioniq Electric drives the front wheels with its 100kW/295Nm electric motor, providing impressive lag-free acceleration.

Five years or 75,000km of servicing for the hybrid and plug-in hybrid costs $1525. Upkeep of the electric models is much cheaper at $800.

The Ioniq has a decent amount of cargo space.

The downside for the electric versions is that they need time and infrastructure to charge.

A commercial 100kW fast charger will get the Ioniq Electric from zero to an 80 per cent charge (with 249km of range) in 54 minutes; plugging into a home wall box fills the battery in six hours and five minutes; and connecting the car’s on-board cable to a domestic power point delivers a full charge in about 17 hours and 30 minutes.

We tested the Ioniq Electric at the launch around Sydney. Revised suspension tuning endows a smoother, quieter ride than before.

That bigger battery gives you more confidence to go exploring outside urban centres — and the instant torque of the electric motor makes it more fun to drive than most commuter hatchbacks.

Verdict 4/5

The Ioniq makes driving an electric vehicle seem normal. It doesn’t feel like a risky science experiment or even a particularly bold choice — it just works. If you’re ready for full-electric motoring, start here. If not, the plug-in and hybrid versions might be a better fit.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Price: From $48,490 plus on-roads

Warranty/servicing: 5 years/unlimited km, $800 for 5 years

Safety: 5 stars, 7 airbags, AEB, active cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert

Motor: 100kW/295Nm

Battery: 38.3kWh

Range: 311km