Hyundai IONIQ HEV Premium 1.6 GDi DCT review
3 minute read | May 25, 2017
Both are hybrids that come from popular manufacturers and aim to open the hybrid market to a much larger audience. While this car doesn’t quite put the Prius out to pasture, it is cheaper, more practical and a pleasure to drive!
We were sent the petrol electric hybrid to test, one of a range of new Ioniqs to hit the market, the others being a pure electric vehicle and a plugin hybrid due later in the year.
Our version, the HEV, is the easiest to own from a practicality point of view due to the lack of cables / charging. It’s also over £3,000 cheaper than the Prius and even undercuts the Kia Niro, which shares much of its features.
The car is powered by a 1.6 litre 104bhp petrol engine alongside a 43bhp electric motor. The benefit of the e-motor is the 170Nm of torque which is immediately available to provide impressive acceleration from the off.
The six-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox (DCT) is now increasingly popular throughout the Hyundai range and gives a decent compromise between performance and emissions. It’s also noticeably quieter than the CVT box, a feature of the Toyota Prius. The dual clutch automatic gearbox provides a smooth switch from petrol to electric and vice versa without compromising on power.
Silence of the Ioniq
The published range of travelling in electric power is approximately 32 miles, something we have no reason to doubt with this car. My six mile commute into the office each day was undertaken in virtual silence, broken sporadically by my occasional singing. The warmer seasons will only improve the range, as the reliance on ancillary equipment such as heaters, wipers and lights will be diminished.
Basking in the glow
Switching the Ioniq from Eco to Sport changes the character of the vehicle noticeably. Besides the warm orange glow of the dash, the power is increased and it holds onto gears longer, although that’s probably not the way the Ioniq was meant to be driven!
In sport mode, the steering is a little light, although if you’re driving around town it works in its favour, body lean is curbed well enough that it feels agile in the corners too.
Brake stuff
A common theme in the hybrid is the use of regenerative brakes, designed to slow when your foot is off the accelerator. We expected this to give the brakes a ‘grabby’ feel but they work well in the Ioniq and feel more natural than the rivals.
Getaway driver
If times are tough and you were planning on robbing a bank, this may not be the car for you. 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds may be enough to keep up with traffic but not enough to evade the boys in blue. Although the silent running and extra boot space may be too enticing to pass up.
As for CO2 emissions, Hyundai is targeting 81g/km which would have landed the Ioniq on the right side of the Vehicle Excise Duty. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case with the recent changes. Either way, the environment will thank you, even if the Government won’t.
She’s got the look
Looks aren’t everything is something you say to aesthetically challenged people who need a pick me up, luckily the Ioniq doesn’t need that kind of misdirected praise. It’s sleek and sexy on the outside and stylish and modern on the inside.
The inclusion of a seven inch TFT digital display and the eight inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay give the Ioniq an air of future proofing that is often overlooked in other cars. The addition of wireless charging for compatible smartphones and driver only settings for the car’s heater will save on running costs and help you to freeze out back seat drivers.
The plastics that frame the interior are surprisingly good quality, better than a car of this price range deserves.
Give me space
The space afforded in the Ioniq is generous to say the least, making this an ideal family car. The big and tall among you will have ample head room, and my 6’3” colleague didn’t have to perform intricate yoga techniques to survive a journey.
The addition of useful cubby holes and twin power sockets in the centre console provide just enough bells and whistle to make this car a ‘must have’ for the tech savvy commuter.
In conclusion
We really enjoyed our time with the Ioniq. It’s sleek, stylish, economical and above all else a pleasure to drive. It produces enough power to get around town, although acceleration does tail off on the motorway – a common issue with hybrids.
If you’ve been thinking of going hybrid and debating the Prius, why not save yourself a bit of money and go with the Ioniq. Just don’t go breaking the law.
Back to resources