Razor-sharp pricing for Hyundai IONIQ

Hyundai has gone from green zero to zero emissions hero, announcing slick pricing for its three-model electrified IONIQ range.

On sale now and offered in Elite and Premium equipment grades across three powertrains, the Hyundai IONIQ starts at $33,990 for the Hybrid, $40,990 for the plug-in hybrid and $44,990 for the battery-electric version (all plus on-road costs).

Premium versions of each are $38,990, $45,490 and $48,990 plus ORCs respectively.

Cheaper

While there are cheaper Toyota hybrid models, the IONIQ Hybrid substantially undercuts its obvious competitor, the $36,440 Prius.

The Hyundai IONIQ is easily the cheapest plug-in currently on the market, undercutting the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV by $5000.

The BEV starts $2500 cheaper than its closest competitor, the Renault ZOE.

“The new Hyundai IONIQ marks the opening of an exciting new chapter for our company,” said the Korean brand’s Australian boss, JW Lee.

“IONIQ makes responsive and eco-friendly electrified driving accessible to a wide range of customers.”

Backing up its green credentials and keen pricing, the five-door five-seat IONIQ is fitted with a strong safety suite including autonomous emergency braking, has a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty and capped-price servicing for all three models.

Read the new Hyundai IONIQ 2019 Review

Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km for all IONIQs. The BEV costs just $160 per service out to 60 months, while both hybrids charge $265 for four of their five services and $465 at 48 months.

As has become normal for Hyundai, the IONIQ has been subjected to local suspension and steering tuning.

Both hybrid variants power their front wheels via a 77kW/147Nm Atkinson-cycle 1.6-litre direct-injection engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The Hybrid adds the assistance of a 32kW/170Nm electric motor fueled by a regeneratively-charged 1.56kWh Lithium-ion Polymer battery. Combined system outputs are 104kW and 265Nm.

Primarily driven by its petrol engine, the Hybrid claims a 3.4L/100km (Elite with 15-inch wheels) and 3.9L/100km (Premium with 17-inch wheels) fuel consumption average and a CO2 output of 79-92g/km.

The plug-in delivers the same combined system outputs despite a more powerful electric motor. When its 8.9kWh battery Li-ion Polymer battery is fully charged a 63km electric range is claimed.

A 3.3kW on-board AC charger enables recharging in as a little as two hours 15 minutes, while regenerative charging is also part of the package.

A startling 1.1L/100km fuel consumption rate is claimed, equating to emissions of 26g/km of CO2.

The BEV is the flagship of the Hyundai IONIQ range, claiming a 230km real-world range, or 280km according to Australian Design Rule testing.

Power is derived from an 88kW/295Nm permanent magnet synchronous motor fueled by a 28kWh Li-ion Polymer battery.

Acceleration delivered by a single-speed reduction gear with drive selected by a button rather than a gear selector.

Fast-charging enables 80 per cent replenishment of the battery in as little as 23 minutes. An onboard 6.6kW AC charger can recharge the battery in four hours and 25 minutes. A standard 240V AC outlet will take 12 hours to charge the IONIQ EV.

Key Hyundai IONIQ Elite specifications include seven airbags, a suite of driver assist systems including blind sport detection, lane keep assist and rear cross traffic alert as well as AEB; a reversing camera, satellite-navigation, Apple CarPlay an Android Auto compatibility, dual-zone climate control and a full-size spare tyre.

The plug-in swaps 15-inch alloys for 16s and deletes the spare. The BEV adds an electric park brake, stop and go function for the smart cruise control system and downgrades to single zone climate control.

Hyundai IONIQ Premium additions include 17-inch alloys, front park assist, HID bi-xenon headlights, one-touch power front windows, a powered sunroof, leather appointed seats, ventilated and heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, paddle shifters, wireless charging and rain sensing.

The Premium plug-in swaps back from 17- to 16-inch alloy wheels, drops the spare tyre and upgrades to LED headlights. The Premium BEV adds idle-stop and the electric park brake.

All Elite IONIQs come with Hyundai Auto Link which downloads vehicle data such as tyre pressure monitoring, driving history and parking management via a connected smartphone. It even allows driving efficiency comparisons between IONIQ owners.

Auto Link Premium is standard in Premium models and among other things, allows remote start and access to doors, climate control and defroster.

All three Hyundai IONIQ models measure up at 4470mm long, 1820mm wide, 1450mm high and have a 2700mm wheelbase. Luggage area to the top of the rear seat is 465 litres for the Hybrid, 341 litres for the plug-in and 350 litres for the BEV.

Kerb weights start at 1375kg for the Hybrid, climb to 1420kg for the BEV and top out at 1495kg for the Plug-in. The Plug-in Premium is the heaviest of all at 1550kg.

All IONIQs use weight-saving aluminum for the bonnet and tailgate, some suspension components and front brake callipers.

Hyundai IONIQ suspension is via MacPherson struts up front, while the hybrids employ an independent multi-link rear-end. The BEV uses a torsion beam because it has a larger battery.

Hyundai says its ride and handling localisation program sought to impart similar drive and ride characteristics across the IONIQ range.