Hyundai IONIQ Electric Premium 2019 Review

Running on the promise of the most affordable electric car in the market isn’t exactly a sure-fire recipe for sales in Australia.

But if the first generation of the Hyundai IONIQ Electric has taught us anything, it can’t hurt.

On sale barely 12 months, the IONIQ portfolio of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric variants has built a steady local following, especially since the three-pronged line-up offers a unique range of electrification.

However, Hyundai has recognised it cannot rest on its laurels (or its competitive price point) if it genuinely wants to fast-track the take-up of green and battery electric technology.

Cue the 2020 Hyundai IONIQ range. In the new IONIQ line-up Hyundai has applied numerous changes to the cars’ inside, outside and underneath, though the latter update is solely reserved for the flagship Hyundai IONIQ Electric model.

Prices have risen between $800 and $3500 with the IONIQ range now commencing with a conventional hybrid from $34,790 plus on-road costs.

Notwithstanding, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric retains its status as the country’s most affordable battery electric car, priced at $48,490 and $52,490 (plus on-road costs) in Elite and Premium guises respectively.

Visual changes are headlined by revised bumpers and accents, new alloy wheel designs and LED lighting front and rear (the latter only on Electric and Premium models).

Inside, there’s a larger 10.25-inch infotainment system, a swish new driver instrument cluster and softer materials – all culminating to boost the cabin ambience of what is otherwise an expensive hatchback.

Every model gets as standard: dual-zone climate control, eight-speaker sound system, keyless entry and start, plus driver aids including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist and high beam assist.

In terms of the Hyundai IONIQ Electric, there’s an improved 38.3kWh battery pack which supplies power to a 100kW/295Nm electric motor. The upshot is an improved range of 311km on the WLTP cycle (373km on our NEDC rating) against 293km on the predecessor.

The other two IONIQ models are mechanically unchanged, meaning the Hybrid and Plug-in hybrid both remain equipped with Hyundai’s 77kW/147Nm Kappa 1.6-litre GDI direct-injection petrol four-cylinder engine.

The IONIQ is backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, while the Electric’s battery is backed by a separate eight-year/160,000km factory provision.

Charging from a regular household power point, it is estimate the IONIQ Electric’s battery can be fully replenished in about 17 hours, at a cost of roughly $12.

With a 100kW DC fast charging, that time is whittled down to 54 minutes for 80 per cent charge.

Our time at the wheel of the updated Hyundai IONIQ Electric was limited to a half-day return trip from Sydney’s centre through to the Wiseman Ferry district, a circa 250km loop.

First, the interior. It is a much nicer place to be, courtesy of the refreshed, softer contact points and the new array of screens.

The tablet-looking screen that sits atop the dashboard is particularly impressive, setting a clean new path for forthcoming Hyundai offerings. It is low-set, too, so as not to interfere with forward vision, which is otherwise strong.

The Hyundai IONIQ Electric’s rear vision is good but not great, with the outlook partially impeded by a split rear glass panel.

Decently sized side mirrors and the IONIQ’s combination of overhead and rear-ward facing cameras partially offset this.

Elsewhere, front interior space is strong given the Hyundai IONIQ Electric’s physical size (4470mm long, 1820mm wide, 2700mm wheelbase). There’s good oddment storage courtesy of a deep open cubby that sits between the centre fascia and the traditional centre console, along with large door pockets.

The rear seat, meanwhile, is premised more around durability than outright comfort, with harder touch points, a high set window line and limited knee space.

The boot area is rated at 350 litres in Electric guise, thanks in part to the battery cell, which also necessitates an inflator kit instead of a space-saver spare tyre.

All in all, however, the IONIQ doesn’t feel like a science experiment inside or out, and the same can be said of the driving experience.

Pulling out of Hyundai’s national HQ in Lane Cove, the IONIQ is easy to come to terms with, delivering its acceleration in an immediate yet pleasingly linear fashion. The steering is light, and the brake pedal is predictable in its response once you’ve got your head around the fact the car has to blend conventional friction and regenerative braking.

On the open road, the Hyundai IONIQ Electric maintains its refinement and ease of use, providing adequate acceleration for overtaking, and picking up cleanly out of corners with no hint of wheel spin.

There are some new features to the driving experience for 2020, too; for instance, you can now use the left steering wheel-mounted paddle to brake the car (lending it a one-pedal operation) and there are varying levels of regenerative braking available.

Like all Hyundais, the IONIQ Electric is the subject to a thorough Australian ride and handling suspension re-tune, with engineers paying close attention to all three grades of the IONIQ before applying individual settings.

The Electric lives on the firmer side of the ledger, fidgeting over expansion joints and lateral lines, cat’s eyes and B-grade surfaces, though the ride does iron out these imperfections with more speed.

Handling is a strong suit with admirable levels of body control during changes in directions, and decent amounts of grip, especially considering the Hyundai IONIQ Electric’s eco-centric Michelin Primacy rubber.

Meantime, wind noise and road noise are middle of the road for a small hatchback. Given the already substantial 1475kg kerb weight, we’re guessing Hyundai didn’t want to go too overboard with extra sound deadening.

Perhaps what’s more pleasing, though, is the IONIQ’s electric range. Over the course of our drive loop, there was no sharp drop in the car’s predicted EV range, reaffirming that the official 311km WLTP range is on the money.

If anything, we’d estimate a real-world range of 290km based on our first drive, which you could argue is more than ample for most trips.

Some consumers will argue about the Hyundai IONIQ Electric’s total carbon footprint and real-world cost of ownership – both are targets in Australia while we remain a largely coal-fired power grid.

But there are green power options available to us all. And with change always comes challenges…

The fact is the Hyundai IONIQ Electric does what it says on the box. And, in fact, at this price point, it does so more convincingly than its direct rivals.

The latest updates improve on Hyundai IONIQ Electric V1.0 and lend the electric car movement more credibility than ever before.

How much does the 2019 Hyundai IONIQ Electric cost?
Price: $48,490-$52,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: Permanent-magnet synchronous motor, 38.3kWh battery
Output: 100kW/295Nm
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP