The Hyundai IONIQ has proven itself to be quite the game-changing model for the South Korean manufacturer – most notably being the first car across the globe to be offered with three electrified powertrain options.
These include a traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and an all-electric model, and across the three variants Hyundai has sold 60,000 units – making it one of the most popular electrified models on sale.
It’s helped Hyundai to become the car manufacturer with one of the best ranges of electrified powertrains on sale – helped by the KONA Electric and hydrogen fuel cell NEXO.
The IONIQ was already one of our favourite electrified models, but here’s why the newly updated model is even better than ever.
A longer range
EV battery technology has moved on a fair amount in the last year or so, with affordable models such as the Hyundai KONA Electric and Kia e-Niro helping to deliver real-world ranges of 250 miles.
The battery size on the IONIQ Electric has improved from a 28kWh Lithium-ion battery to an upgraded 38.3kWh unit – an increase of 36 per cent. The electric range has also risen to a real-world estimate of 182 miles between charges. To make sure drivers don’t have to wait around for longer for their cars to charge, Hyundai has also increased the size of the onboard to charger to 7.2kW (up from 6.6kW) which means the range can be topped up to 80 per cent using a fast charger in as little as 54 minutes.
The ability to have ‘remote’ connected services
An instrumental part of the updated IONIQ is the adoption of a new system known as ‘Blue Link’. This in essence makes the model more connected than ever before, and through a new smartphone app, it means you can unlock and lock the car wherever you are using your phone, as well as check the charging status and even set the air-conditioning so that your IONIQ is set at the right temperature for when you’re ready to get behind the wheel.
It can automatically call the emergency services if you get into a crash
A further strand of the IONIQ’s superb connectivity features is the launch of ‘eCall’ into the electrified model. This could have life-saving implications, given that the car can automatically dial the emergency services if the airbags have been deployed. Information, such as the location of the car, can then be sent to the local emergency service.
While not directly part of this feature, the new IONIQ also comes with ‘LIVE’ services that connects to the satellite navigation. Through a free five-year subscription to the service, drivers get access to real-time data, that’s useful in finding out what the weather is going to be like, as well as helping to search for the quickest travel route.
A revised, stylish new look
Even three years after first going on sale, the IONIQ remains a modern-looking model. However, the South Korean manufacturer has already decided to give the vehicle range a stylish update.
While hardly dissimilar from the outgoing version, the new IONIQ benefits from a revised front grille, updated bumper, as well as new daytime running lights and new LED lighting throughout. Alongside a set of revised alloy wheels, four new colours have been introduced – including shades like Fluidic Metal and Electric Shadow.
A large 10.25-inch touchscreen adorns the cabin, while a number of optional leather interior colours have been added to the line-up, too. Further mood and ambient lighting has also been integrated into the IONIQ’s cabin.
A new system to offer you the best fuel consumption
Hyundai has introduced a new aid to the IONIQ known as ‘Eco-Driving Assist System’. The feature essentially analyses road information from the satellite navigation to advise the driver when to decelerate for optimal fuel consumption, and to minimise fuel consumption.
We’re not aware of a similar system being used in any other new car on sale, with the tech being activated when in Eco mode and at speeds over 25mph.