Hyundai IONIQ axed in Australia
Korean brand’s three-pronged EV, PHEV and hybrid IONIQ range reaches the end of its lifecycleThe Hyundai IONIQ hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full-electric passenger car range will be quietly dropped from the Australian line-up this year.
Not impacting the new-generation 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric car, the older IONIQ range is nearing the end of its current lifecycle and may not be renewed.
Local supplies are expected to run dry during the third quarter of this year.
Introduced locally in 2018, the IONIQ hybrid served as Hyundai’s answer to the Toyota Prius while the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric versions bolstered the Korean brand’s electrified vehicle stable.
Indeed, the EV version has proven to be the most popular variant across the three IONIQ powertrains.
Hyundai Australia’s corporate affairs general manager Bill Thomas told carsales that the success of the IONIQ Electric came as competition intensified in compact car segments with new electrified vehicle options, including Toyota’s hybrid model range expansion.
With no direct replacement for the original IONIQ on the radar, Thomas said the Hyundai Kona Electric would take over the mantle as the brand’s most affordable electrified offering.
“We are finding that the Kona Electric suits the demand for a practical hatch and as an SUV is more suited to market taste,” he said.
“The IONIQ hatch has been selling steadily but we are now moving forward with the IONIQ brand with e-GMP bespoke platform architecture at the centre of our plans.
“We’ll continue to expand our EV range but we aren’t in a position to confirm future plans at this time.”
Hyundai Australia is expected to expand its EV range with two new Hyundai IONIQ 5 models, including a more affordable ‘2WD Standard Range’ variant powered by a single 125kW/350Nm electric motor drawing current from a 58kWh battery pack.
A 173kW/605Nm dual-motor ‘4WD Standard Range’ model with the same 58kWh battery is also anticipated.
These will join the current models that use a longer-range 72.6kWh battery and deliver 160kW/350Nm in single-motor guise or 225kW/605Nm in the dual-motor.
A high-performance IONIQ 5 N is also in development, along with the Hyundai IONIQ 6 sedan.
The Hyundai IONIQ 7 full-sized SUV is expected to follow early in 2024.
Related: Hyundai Kona Electric now cheaper
Related: 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 line-up confirmed
Related: Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 2020 Review
Related: Are hybrids still relevant?
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