Hyundai Ioniq Review 2023

The Hyundai Ioniq provides electrification for everyone’s needs. The self-charging model is perfect as an alternative to a diesel hatchback, while the plug-in Hyundai Ioniq PHEV is an excellent pick for those wanting emissions free short journeys, with the additional peace of mind of plentiful range from the petrol engine should you need it. For those wanting an inexpensive fully electric car then the Hyundai Ioniq’s also got you covered. 

That really depends on your circumstances. The standard hybrid Hyundai Ioniq model will return excellent fuel economy and makes most sense if you don’t have somewhere to charge a car. On the other hand, if you do have somewhere to charge it and have a short commute, the Hyundai Ioniq PHEV could save you a fortune getting you to and from work. The Hyundai Ioniq electric model, meanwhile, could be the car for you if you have room to charge it and don’t need a car for long hauls up the motorway.  

The most obvious rival to the self-charging and plug-in models is that hybrid trailblazer the Toyota Prius or Toyota Prius Plug-In. That’s not offered as a pure electric though so you’ll need to visit Nissan for a Nissan Leaf, or Volkswagen for its Volkswagen ID.3. 

The Ioniq’s closest rival, and the only other model to offer the three differing powers within a single body is the Kia Niro and Kia e-Niro. It’s more SUV-like in its looks, though rather than the more conventional look of the Ioniq. There is also Hyundai's own Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Time was you paid for Hyundai’s generous standard equipment and attractive pricing with interior materials that were a little bit sub-par for the mainstream class, but that’s no longer the case with the Hyundai Ioniq, with most of its cabin materials being soft to touch. 

There is some evidence of the sort of hard, scratchy plastics that used to dominate, but they’re positioned low in the cabin of the Hyundai Ioniq and in areas you’ll rarely, if ever, touch. That’s more apparent in the post-2019 facelifted cars with their smarter interior styling, the cabin not just getting a visual lift but a boost in quality. 

The heater controls are an exception, with Hyundai replacing the simple physical buttons of the pre-facelifted Ioniq with touch sensitive ones that are a pain to use.

Avoid the SE Connect Hyundai Ioniq if you’re after the best infotainment, it is only offered with the regular hybrid and makes do with conventional instruments instead of the 7-inch TFT screen in every other Hyundai Ioniq.

Likewise, it has a smaller 8-inch touchscreen, though it does have Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, USB inputs and DAB radio as standard. 

Hyundai Ioniqs above it in the range add sat nav, with Bluelink (Hyundai’s connected services), Infinity Sound System, a wireless charging pad for your phone and that larger 10.25-inch central touchscreen and 7-inch screen in place of conventional instrumentation. 

Hyundai’s touchscreen system operates with real ease, with clear sub menus and simple navigation, with key functions of Map, Nav, Radio, Media and Set Up all having shortcut buttons below the main screen, likewise there’s a physical volume knob. 

Steering wheel controls for audio, cruise control and your telephone are also included as standard on every model.

The Hyundai Ioniq measures 4470mm long and 1820mm wide, which sees you get plenty of space up front for the driver and passenger, with ample seat adjustment, a pair of cupholders and useful cubby storage throughout. 

It’s not quite so generous for space in the rear seats of the Hyundai Ioniq, and that’s due to the sloping profile of the roof. Headroom is at a premium, especially if you’re above average height. 

That sloping roof of the Hyundai Ioniq also makes getting children into child seats in the back, with the two outer seats having ISOFIX child seat mounts. There’s a third, rear, central seatbelt, but the seat it covers is narrow and high, so it’s only really for occasional, short trip use, though that’s true of all of the Ioniq’s direct rivals. 

The Hyundai Ioniq's boot is accessed by a large hatchback and its size varies depending on what powertrain you go for. The largest boot capacity comes with the standard Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, with 443 litres with the seats in position, or 1505 litres when folded. The electric Hyundai Ioniq model sees those figures drop to 357 litres and 1417 litres, respectively, while the Hyundai Ioniq PHEV has the smallest boot capacity of the lot with the seats up at 341 litres and 1401 litres with them down. 

There’s no gearbox on the electric Hyundai Ioniq model, but the hybrid and plug-in hybrid Hyundai Ioniq models get a six-speed twin-clutch automatic and it is responsive in a way the CVT that’s favoured by the Toyota Prius isn’t.

Leave the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid to its own devices and it’ll do a good job of juggling the electric and petrol motors to produce their best economy and performance. 

Both hybrids produce combined power output of 141PS and 147Nm of torque, despite the plug-in Hyundai Ioniq hybrid having a more powerful 60.5PS (over 43.5PS) electric motor helping it. The latter gets from 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds while the former manages it in 10.6 seconds. 

The electric motor in the Hyundai Ioniq Electric produces 136PS,  its set off acceleration feeling brisk and it covers the  0-62mph dash in 9.9 seconds in Sport mode, or 10.2 seconds in Normal mode.

The Electric Hyundai Ioniq manages an official range of 193 miles, so a real-world 150 miles should be possible. The plug-in hybrid has a 32-mile electric-only range on a full charge, too, again, that a best case scenario, it’s likely to be closer to 25 miles if you’re driving it sensibly. It’s worth noting that both go further than pre-facelifted models which has less power dense batteries. 

Good refinement is a by-product of hybrid and EV propulsion and that’s clear with the Hyundai Ioniq, the Electric being hushed on the move, with only the faintest hint of electrical noise from the motor, and a bit of road and wind noise as the speeds rise. Even so, it’s largely quiet, particularly so at urban speeds. 

The hybrid Hyundai Ioniq models transit between their electric motor and engine smoothly, though ask a lot from the powertrain and the engine does get a bit boomy at higher revs. 

Low rolling resistance tyres and the slippery body shape of the Hyundai Ioniq, meanwhile, do their bit across the range as your speed rises.

The Hyundai Ioniq achieved a five-star score in 2016 when it was crash tested by independent safety body Euro NCAP. 

All Hyundai Ioniqs come with traction and stability control, automatic emergency brakes and a driver attention alert system that warns you when you need to take a break. A lane departure warning system and lane assist help keep you in lane, you get tyre pressure monitors and ISOFIX mounts for the safe fitting of child seats. All models also come with front, side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags. 

Even if you are involved in an accident, Hyundai’s e-call can summon the emergency services – sending them the location of the accident. 

Premium SE models of the Hyundai Ioniq also benefit from Blind Spot Detection, active cruise control, and rear cross traffic assist – or automatic emergency brakes that work in reverse. 

Hyundai as a brand performs very well in HonestJohn.co.uk's Satisfaction Index, achieving a score of 9.38/10 for reliability. It's also ranked fifth out of 34 car manufacturers overall while the Hyundai Ioniq was the highest rated car overall with a very impressive satisfaction score of 93.7 per cent. The Hyundai Ioniq also scored a stunning 9.79 reliability average (out of 10), ranking it among one of the highest in the index.

The Hyundai Ioniq is in groups 10 and 11 for the Premium and Premium SE hybrids, with the plug-in Hyundai Ioniq going up a group to 12. The more expensive Hyundai Ioniq electric is in groups 21-22 depending on trim level.

If you’re looking to slash your road tax bill, choose the Hyundai Ioniq Electric – its zero emissions mean you’ll pay no road tax at all. 

The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid will cost you £155 in the first year, then £150 a year thereafter, while the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid emits just 26g/km on the WLTP test consumption cycle, which means a first year VED rate of £10, with £150 annually after that. 

The Hyundai Ioniq range kicks off with Connect trim. That includes 15-inch alloy wheels, an eight-inch touchscreen media centre with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Automatic headlamps, cruise control and climate control. Ioniqs are born for the city so it’s good to see all models have reversing sensors and a camera. 

Hyundai Ioniq Premium models take that list and add to it. You get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, keyless entry, a more powerful infinity stereo, wireless phone charging and a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. Premium models look a touch more modern on the outside thanks to their bright-shining LED headlights. 

Hyundai Ioniq Premium SE models take another step up the ladder most easily spotted by their 17-inch alloy wheels. They feel significantly posher on the inside thanks to their leather seats, which are electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated up front, and heated in the back. 

Automatic Wipers, Blind Spot Detection System, Cruise Control with Adaptive Speed Control with Stop & Go, Driver’s Seat Electric Adjustment and Memory, Leather facings on seats, Heated and Ventilated front seats, Lane Follow Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Heated outer rear seats.