Our verdict on the new Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid: the cheaper and more practical Prius rival
The Ioniq is designed to be an affordable, comfortable and practical family car, so Hyundai has focused on refinement. What gives the newcomer the upper hand against the Prius is the fact that it has a proper six-speed dual-clutch auto box, as opposed to the CVT auto you’ll find in the Toyota.
This may not sound all that radical a switch, but it makes the Ioniq far more relaxing to drive; the 1.6-litre petrol can still be noisy when accelerating, but it’s much more responsive, thanks to the gearbox. It will cover 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds, which is perfectly adequate, but it’s how normal and fuss-free the Ioniq is that really stands out.
This may not sound all that radical a switch, but it makes the Ioniq far more relaxing to drive; the 1.6-litre petrol can still be noisy when accelerating, but it’s much more responsive, thanks to the gearbox. It will cover 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds, which is perfectly adequate, but it’s how normal and fuss-free the Ioniq is that really stands out.
Verdict
The Toyota Prius has had a monopoly on the hybrid market for years, but the Ioniq could put an end to that. It doesn’t reinvent the hybrid formula started by the Prius; it simply refines it and makes hybrid ownership a lot more accessible. That’s mainly down to the starting price of £19,995, which undercuts the Prius significantly. Better still, the Ioniq comes with plenty of kit and a better gearbox, making it far nicer to drive.
You wait 17 years for a hybrid to come along and give the Prius a run for its money, and then two arrive at once. The Hyundai Ioniq shares its hybrid powertrain with the upcoming Kia Niro and aims to steal sales directly from Toyota’s big seller.
As well as a hybrid, the Ioniq is also available as a pure EV and a plug-in hybrid; it’s the first car ever to be offered with a choice of three electrified powertrains. However, the hybrid model driven here is the one that matters most, as it will make up around 50 per cent of Ioniq sales in the UK. Hyundai claims it will return over 83mpg and emit 79g/km of CO2.
Along with rock-bottom running costs, the hybrid’s £19,995 starting price will look equally attractive to buyers. Entry-level editions undercut equivalent Prius models by over £3,000 – and Hyundai hasn’t skimped on kit, either, with alloys, Bluetooth and a reversing camera all fitted as standard.
So the Ioniq has an advantage over the Prius when it comes to the numbers, but what is it like to drive? If you’re hoping for grin-inducing thrills you’ll be disappointed.
The electric motor is only good for a few hundred yards of all-electric range before the engine kicks in, but when it does, it’s relatively quiet and unobtrusive. Soft suspension and a decent amount of passenger space in the back – headroom does come at a premium for those over six foot tall – mean the Ioniq qualifies as a comfortable and spacious family car. A 443-litre boot also trumps the 343 litres offered in the Prius.
However, like the Ioniq Electric, there are some questionable plastics throughout the cabin.
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