Manufacturer Hyundai Motor Company Body style 5-door hatchback | Production 2016–present | |
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Class Electric drive mid-size Layout Front-engine, front-wheel drive | ||
The Hyundai Ioniq is a mid-size five-door hatchback manufactured and marketed by Hyundai in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric variants.
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The Ioniq Hybrid debuted in South Korea in January 2016. with the three variants debuting at 2016 Geneva and New York auto shows. The hybrid variant launched in its home market in February 2016, followed by the electric model in July 2016.
At the 2017 Washington Auto Show, Hyundai announced the hybrid and EV versions will go on sale in North America by April 1, 2017. The plug-in hybrid version will follow in September, 2017. Each Ioniq variant will be sold in all 50 states, but it will not be available in all Hyundai dealerships.
As of late 2016, the model year 2017 Ioniq Electric became the EPA's most efficient vehicle — including all model years and all fuel types — with a rated fuel economy of 136 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (mpg-e) (1.7 L/100 km).
The nameplate Ioniq is a portmanteau of ion and unique.
Ioniq Hybrid
The Ioniq is Hyundai's first entry into the expanding hybrid car market competing with the Toyota Prius. Sharing the same powertrain with the Kia Niro hybrid crossover, the Ioniq is powered by a 1.6-liter Kappa four cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with 40% thermal efficiency capable of delivering 78 kW (105 hp) and an estimated 109 lb·ft (148 N·m) of torque. This engine has been specifically tailored to the hybrid application and is combined with a shifting six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Like many hybrids and electric cars, neither the Ioniq Hybrid nor Electric are suitable for towing a trailer.
The Ioniq Hybrid's electric motor delivers an estimated 32 bhp (24 kW) with an estimated maximum torque of 125 lb·ft (169 N·m), powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery with 1.56 kWh capacity. The battery is efficiently positioned under the rear passenger seats. In combination with the 1.6-liter direct-injected engine, Ioniq Hybrid offers an estimated total system output of 139 bhp (104 kW) and 195 lb·ft (264 N·m).
Unlike other hybrid models in the market, the Ioniq does not have a lead-acid auxiliary 12 V battery, resulting in an approximate 26 lb (12 kg) reduction in weight. With higher usage of lightweight components and a more compact build, the cargo-screen cover is about 25% lighter than the types used in other Hyundai models. The Ioniq uses aluminum in the hood and tailgate, reducing weight by 27 lb (12 kg) compared with conventional steel and no measurable disadvantages in noise or vibration.
Its aerodynamic design helped lower the drag coefficient of the Ioniq down to 0.24. Excessive weight is reduced by utilization of high-strength steel for the structure and aluminium for non-structural components. Hyundai expects the model with version with 15-inch wheels to obtain an EPA rated combined fuel economy between 57 mpg‑US (4.1 L/100 km; 68 mpg‑imp) and 58 mpg‑US (4.1 L/100 km; 70 mpg‑imp), just ahead of the 2016 Toyota Prius Eco (56 mpg‑US (4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg‑imp)).
The Ioniq Hybrid was released in South Korea in February 2016. The hybrid was launched in Malaysia in November 2016. Two Ioniq Hybrid trims are available, HEV and HEV Plus.
Ioniq Electric
The all-electric model features a 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery (LiPo) that delivers an EPA-rated all-electric range of 124 mi (200 km). Hyundai expected the Ioniq to deliver a range of 180 km (110 mi). At the 2016 LA Auto Show, Hyundai announced that they are planning to extend the electric range of the Ioniq EV to more than 200 mi (320 km) by 2018.
The Ioniq Electric has a 88 kW (120 PS) electric motor with 295 Nm of torque, and can be charged up to 80% in 33 minutes at 50 kW or in 24 minutes at 100 kW with a DC fast charging station. An integrated In-Cable Control Box (ICCB) also allows drivers to charge their Ioniq at a regular household outlet but this is recommended only for use in emergencies. The charging plug of the car is located in a position where gas fillers are normally located. The Ioniq features paddle shifters to allow drivers to choose from one of four levels of regenerative braking.
Range and efficiency
Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) four-cycle test, the 2017 Ioniq Electric combined fuel economy rating is 136 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (mpg-e) (1.7 L/100 km), with an energy consumption of 25 kW·h/100 mi (15.7 kW·h/100 km). The fuel economy rating for city is 150 mpg-e (1.6 L/100 km) and 122 mpg-e (1.9 L/100 km) in highway. With these ratings, the Ioniq Electric became in November 2016 the most efficient EPA-certified vehicle considering all fuels and of all years, surpassing the 2014–2016 model year BMW i3, and also the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, the most energy efficient plug-in hybrid in EV mode.
The 2017 Ioniq Electric has a combined EPA-rated range of 124 mi (200 km). Charging time is rated at 4 hours on a Level 2 fast charger (240 V). The range under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) standard is 280 km (170 mi), and 169 km (105 mi) under the South Korean cycle.
Ioniq Plug-in
The plug-in hybrid model has a 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery (LiPo) capable of delivering 50 km (31 mi) in all-electric mode. The Ioniq Plug-in combines a 45 kW (61 PS) electric motor and 1.6-L GDI four-cylinder Kappa engine with 40% thermal efficiency capable of delivering 78 kW (105 hp). Hyundai expects the Ioniq Plug-in to achieve a combined EPA rating of 125 mpg‑e (28 kW·h/100 mi; 17.1 kW·h/100 km) in all-electric mode.
The Ioniq Plug-in has the same dual-clutch transmission as the hybrid variant. This is an important differentiator for Hyundai from the majority of other hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars that use a continuously variable transmission, which have been criticized for their poor acceleration performance. Enhancing the Ioniq Plug-in fuel efficiency and dynamic driving characteristics, the driver can select either SPORT or ECO modes. The SPORT function holds lower gears longer and combines power from the engine and electric motor for maximum performance. In ECO mode, the dual-clutch transmission optimizes gear selection for efficiency, upshifting earlier to achieve class-leading fuel economy.