Hyundai Ioniq (2016 – 2022) Review

Hyundai Ioniq (2016 – 2022) At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
Low-emissions driving comes in three distinct flavours with the Hyundai Ioniq – hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full electric – and all are decent.

+Available as hybrid, plug-in or pure EV. Easy and relaxing to drive. Low running costs.

-Limited rear headroom. Hybrid has poor ride quality on some surfaces. Bland inside and out. Foot parking brake.

Insurance Groups are between 10–12
On average it achieves 70% of the official MPG figure

The Hyundai Ioniq was launched in 2016, just as the push towards electrification started to gain momentum. In a bid to cover all bases, the Hyundai Ioniq was offered with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric power options. They all look similar and have the same well made cabin, albeit with restricted rear headroom, so there’s a Hyundai Ioniq to suit almost every used budget and requirement as an alternative to the Ford Focus PHEV, hybrid pioneer the Toyota Prius or electric trailblazer the Nissan Leaf. Read on for our full Hyundai Ioniq review.

The Hyundai Ioniq was conceived as a rival to the Toyota Prius, but with a significant trick up its sleeve – the choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric versions.

That means there is a model to suit different drivers, whether they only cover short distances or regularly rack up lots of miles.

The hybrid uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine alongside an electric motor. It can run on electricity alone at low speeds or when cruising, but most of the time the petrol engine will be running.

It’s reasonably quiet unless tasked with hard acceleration and the driving experience feels much like any other automatic car, since the gearbox is a six-speed dual-clutch, unlike the sometimes droning CVT used in the Toyota Prius. Official economy was claimed at 83.1mpg, with emissions of 79g/km.

The battery-powered full-electric version, identified by its smooth front grille, has a range of up to 174 miles on a full charge. It’s extremely responsive at low speeds, making it a perky performer in town, but it also copes well at motorway speeds, helped by its very quiet cabin.

It’s certainly quieter and more refined than the hybrid.

The plug-in hybrid version combines the best of both worlds, in theory – giving enough electric range to cover the average commute, but with a conventional petrol engine to take over when travelling further afield.

Inside, the Hyundai Ioniq is neatly laid out, comfortable and comes with plenty of technology. There’s a standard-fit touchscreen, but you’ll need Premium trim to get the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality that allows apps such as Spotify and Google Maps to be accessed on the move.

All models do come with adaptive cruise control, a parking camera, climate control and lane-keep assist, though.

The back row provides ample legroom, but the sloping roofline limits headroom for taller occupants, while the split tailgate glass restricts rear visibility.

Boot space is fine for shopping or luggage, but is slightly restricted on the EV, owing to the larger battery pack. There’s also a couple of charging leads to haul around, although they’re not too bulky.

For those seeking an alternatively-fuelled used car, the Hyundai Ioniq is an interesting choice. It’s well equipped and provides options to suit most types of driving.

Looking for a second opinion? Why not read heycar's Hyundai Ioniq review.

Ask Honest John

What is the battery life in my Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid?

"I have had a Hyundau Ioniq hybrid since new, its 4 years old and has done 56,600 miles (mainly medium/long distance). How long will it last? I think Hyundai increased the batteries warranty to life. As petrol/electric hybrids are a relatively new thing, just wondering if to keep it or to upgrade,"
Currently Hyundai advertise the warranty period for hybrid vehicles is eight years or 100,000 miles, so you are still well within the warranty period. Owner experiences would suggest that hybrid batteries are lasting well beyond the warranty period, and the kind of driving you do can also affect the battery life. If you regularly travel at higher speeds on long journeys then the hybrid battery will be doing less work, so this could extend its lifespan. Your car should maintain its battery health for some years to come, but you may wish to consider changing it while there is still a significant warranty period remaining.
Answered by David Ross

I'm looking to replace my Hyundai Ioniq with another PHEV, what should I choose?

"I currently have a Hyundai Ioniq PHEV that I plan to replace this August with a new PHEV. The Ioniq PHEV is no longer produced - what would you recommend about the same size?"
PHEVs have been a popular choice for customers looking to move into electrified vehicles, but manufacturers are moving towards full EVs which means the number of PHEVs available is diminishing. One option is the Volkswagen Golf e-Hybrid. It is a bit more expensive than your Ioniq, but this is partly offset by the better performance, driving experience and higher-quality cabin. Alternatively you could go for the MG HS, which is a little larger than your Ioniq but offers excellent value for money.
Answered by David Ross

Switching from EV to hybrid or diesel - what should I buy?

"I have been a Nissan Leaf owner for five years and it's absolutely fantastic for local driving but as soon as I go further afield I can't be sure I will be at a certain place by a certain time, especially now EV chargers are filling up fast with new EV drivers. After lots of thought I've decided to go back to either a second hand hybrid car or fuel car. I have ended up unable to decide because some dealers have advised me that diesels are being phased out and I won't get my money back when I come to sell. Can you recommend an economical car with good mpg because they seem to vary a lot too! Or a good hybrid."
Going from an electric car to a diesel does seem to be a bit of a backwards step and probably wouldn't be a good idea unless you cover a lot of motorway miles (more than 12,000 a year). A hybrid could be a good compromise. Is the latest Toyota Corolla within budget? It's a very reliable hybrid hatchback that'll be cheap to run. Take a look at the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, too. Our Real MPG data should give you an idea of realistic fuel economy: https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/real-mpg/
Answered by Andrew Brady

Will swapping to all-season tyres benefit road noise, handling and fuel economy?

"The original 195/65 R15 Michelin Energy Saver tyres fitted to my hybrid Hyundai Ionic have 3mm on the front and 5mm on the rears after 17k miles. Whilst looking online for new front tyres, I noticed some attractive discounts on Michelin Cross Climates with a free dashcam (worth £100) when buying four tyres. The Energy Saver tyres don’t seem particularly noisy except on rough road surfaces, so would there be an advantage to switch to the all-season Cross Climates in terms of road noise, handling and mpg? Many thanks. "
There are two parts to this. The first is in regards to the dash camera. I would look into the brand (you haven't mentioned what it is so I can't help) but, generally speaking, these offers appear better than they are because the dash cam is potentially not very good. I'd argue you could probably find something decent - dash camera wise - without spending too much and without changing all four tyres. With that said, CrossClimate+ is a good tyre if you think it'll suit your needs. Most drivers get all-season tyres to prevent them from having to switch from summer to winter tyres. Essentially, these tyres are able to grip the warm dry roads of summer but also work well on colder winter days. The rubber mix used in these tyres is designed to function well at temperatures both below and above zero degrees Celsius. In milder climates such as that of the UK, where the summers are rarely exceptionally hot and winter snowfall is light in most regions, these tyres are seen as a good compromise. They also work very well in the wet. All-season tyres can also be more comfortable and offer longer tread-wear, too. However, there are a few factors you should take into consideration before you decide whether all-season tyres are right for you. Firstly, if winter conditions are harsh and result in frequent snow or ice in your location, then it's probably wiser to opt for winter tyres. Secondly, all-season tyres are a compromise as they don’t need to be changed every six months or so when the seasons change — which can result in lower costs — but means they won't match the performance of winter tyres in wintry conditions or of summer tyres in dry conditions. If you don't need to change all four tyres yet and your happy with the current Energy Savers fitted, I wouldn't personally suggest changing them.
Answered by Georgia Petrie
More Questions

What does a Hyundai Ioniq (2016 – 2022) cost?