Hyundai Ioniq (2016 – present) | Expert Rating

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Table of Contents

Summary

The Hyundai Ioniq is a mid-sized five-door saloon and the Korean brand’s first attempt at building a car from the ground up. This Expert Rating covers the hybrid versions (regular and plug-in) of the Ioniq, while the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is covered on a separate page.

When the Ioniq first arrived in the UK in 2016, it was the manufacturer’s most fuel efficient model. UK reviews generally say that this is still the saloon’s biggest strength. Carbuyer commends the Ioniq for its “super-low running costs”, while Auto Trader highlights its “long warranty and genuine ease of ownership”.

The Telegraph adds that the Ioniq’s “aggressive pricing” undercuts its main rivals, including the more widespread Toyota Prius.

However, Carwow comments that the Ioniq does not match the Prius in the practicality department, and says that, while the Ioniq is “just about big enough for small families, it doesn’t look as stylish or feel quite as upmarket inside as alternatives.”

Despite its drawbacks, Which? concludes that the saloon “looks smart without being boring and it excels around town”, and is a good value-for-money proposition for buyers looking to switch from diesel to hybrid power motoring.

The name ‘Ioniq’ is now going to be used as a sub-brand, applied to all of Hyundai’s new range of dedicated electric vehicles (the first of which is the Ioniq 5), which means this particular model will probably not be succeeded by a new generation.

As of May 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq holds an Expert Rating of 63%, based on 17 reviews published by UK media sources.

Ioniq highlights

Economical powertrains
Comfortable ride
Affordably priced
Well-equipped as standard

Ioniq lowlights

Rather cramped rear seating
Alternatives have more boot space
Noisy petrol engine
Pretty cheap interior design

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-size saloon
Engines: petrol-electric hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £24,405 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2016
Last updated: Summer 2019
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Score: 7 / 10
“The Ioniq provides the Toyota Prius with a serious rival. It’s cheaper to buy, comes with plenty of equipment, and offers performance and dynamics directly comparable to its Japanese competitor.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview (hybrids and electric)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq comes in three flavours, and is a more conventional-looking – and cheaper – proposition than the Toyota Prius.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6 GDi Hybrid Premium DCT
Score: 7 / 10
“Using a built-in SIM card, the Ioniq can offer live traffic, parking and fuel station information, as well as – in the case of the Plug-in and Electric versions – real-time charge point availability.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq is a hybrid hatchback that offers low running costs, a long warranty and genuine ease of ownership. Hyundai’s own Kona Hybrid offers a more characterful alternative, but it’s worth a look if you’re convinced a hybrid is right for you.”
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Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s a handsome, capable and well-equipped machine, the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid.”
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Model reviewed: Hybrid
Score: 7.8 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq is likely to tempt many buyers who might otherwise choose a Toyota Prius”
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Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid offers similar economy to the Toyota Prius but it’s cheaper and less common.”
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Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq is a compact family car with an economical hybrid system which makes it very cheap to run – especially in town. Other small hybrids are more practical, though.”
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Model reviewed: Hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq is a hybrid car that’s cheap to run and just about big enough for small families but it doesn’t look as stylish or feel quite as upmarket inside as alternatives.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid automatic Premium SE
“The Hyundai Ioniq stacks up on the road just as well as it does on the balance sheet.”
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Score: 5 / 10
“Hyundai’s Prius rival will make plenty of customers happy, but those customers probably won’t be evo readers.”
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Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid
“The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in teams the useful range of the Electric model with the efficient Hybrid drivetrain but loses out in desirability to the Kia Niro.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“If you want to embrace our electrified future (in a car sense) but aren’t quite sure which form of electrification to go for, the Hyundai Ioniq has all the options – self-charging hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a full electric – only the Kia Niro offers the same variety.”
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Model reviewed: Plug-in hybrid Premium SE
Score: 6 / 10
“Where the standard Hyundai Ioniq hybrid is a likeable cut-price alternative to the Prius, this plug-in version is harder to jus
tify because the performance in pure electric mode is so modest. The result is not a disaster by any stretch, but for many people the best Ioniq will be the one that’s the cheapest to buy.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“The standard hybrid Hyundai Ioniq makes a compelling case for those after low running costs, a decent driving experience and lots of equipment. Its aggressive pricing might also catch the eye of those thinking about making the switch from diesel to hybrid motoring.”
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Model reviewed: plug-in hybrid
“In plug-in hybrid form, the Hyundai Ioniq has the potential to be an interesting means of transport for those seeking zero tailpipe emissions over shorter distances, but with the possibility of extending overall range massively compared with a pure electric car.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Hyundai Ioniq definitely has appeal. It looks smart without being boring and it excels around town. However, it’s relatively noisy at higher speeds and the rear styling makes it difficult to see out of the back. Despite these downsides, overall, it’s worthy of consideration if you want an economical large car.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 82%

The Hyundai Ioniq was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2016, and achieved a full five-star rating. The saloon received good scores across the board – notably its adult protection score of 91%.