2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　

What's new

Greater availability of advanced driver safety featuresVehicle charging can be managed remotely through Blue Link phone appPart of the first Ioniq generation introduced for 2017

　　Toyota has long been the dominant force in the compact hybrid class. So much so that the words "Prius" and "hybrid" are almost interchangeable. But other manufacturers are now encroaching on the Prius' territory, and Hyundai isn't holding back with its 2019 Ioniq hatchback lineup. The Ioniq is available as a standard gasoline model, as well as a traditional hybrid and a plug-in electric hybrid.

　　The 2019 Hyundai Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) is essentially the same as the standard Ioniq hybrid, but it uses a larger battery, allowing up to 29 miles of electric-only operation in addition to its standard range. Another thing that makes the Ioniq PHEV unique from the hybrid model: It can be plugged in to recharge the battery. That provides a good combination of fuel efficiency and electric mobility for those who aren't ready or interested in driving a fully electric vehicle. The 2019 Ioniq PHEV also has all the practical benefits of a hatchback, plus an easy-to-use interior, an array of available driver's assistance features, and Hyundai's typical generous warranty coverage.

　　But there are some nits to pick with the Ioniq. The seats can feel unsupportive and the ride can be a bit firm, especially over broken pavement. Interior noise, from both road and wind, is also noticeable, especially when operating in near-silent electric-drive mode. And while no one expects a compact hybrid to be quick, at times the Ioniq requires full-throttle acceleration to keep up with fast-moving traffic.

　　Overall, we think the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is a strong contender. But you'll still want to give other competitors such as the Chevrolet Volt, Honda Clarity Plug-In, Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid and Toyota Prius Prime a good, close look.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　While we have yet to test the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid fully, the following evaluation is based on the functionally similar Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Hatchback (1.6L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	6.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

6.5

　　The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is a decent-driving car overall. Though it's somewhat sluggish to respond when you want maximum power off the line, it's much more likable during typical use. Handling is secure even with the added weight that comes from a larger plug-in battery.

　　

Acceleration

6.0

　　Flooring the accelerator from a stop delivers sluggish response because it requires a moment for the engine to fire up. Our test car needed 9.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, which is quicker than the Prius Prime but slower than both the Ioniq Hybrid and EV models. At speed, throttle response is adequate.

　　

Braking

6.0

　　The brake pedal has a light effort and squishy feel to it. The brakes are vague and a little grabby when they're working to send energy back to the battery. When you're braking harder, the pedal feels like you're pushing through molasses and doesn't deliver great stopping confidence. We would like stronger regen, too.

　　

Steering

6.0

　　The Ioniq PHEV lacks a strong self-centering effect, so steering the car straight requires some attention. The steering effort builds gradually as you turn in an attempt to feel familiar, but it still manages to have an artificial sense to it. The light resistance, however, makes it perfect for parking lots.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　The Ioniq PHEV feels stable, and the additional weight of the powertrain is masked well up to a point. It'll handle a few turns without issue, but put through fast transitions it'll begin to lose composure. Stability control steps in smoothly and works well to keep the car under control.

　　

Drivability

7.0

　　In EV mode, power delivery is instantaneous and linear. It's not a quick car, but it's responsive thanks in part to the quick-shifting transmission. In hybrid mode, or when additional power is requested, the engine takes a beat to get up to speed.

　　

Comfort

7.5

　　The Ioniq PHEV is ideal for the stop-and-go of city life. It's less suited for the open highway, where you'll notice road noise and an uncomposed ride that can make the car feel like it's a small boat bobbing around the ocean. In its element, though, the Ioniq is decently comfortable.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　The front seats have adequate bolstering, with an average amount of thigh support. Comfort is good even over long distances, with no pressure points, and the headrest is set at a nice angle. The amount of lumbar support is adjustable, but it's located a little high for our taste.

　　

Ride comfort

7.0

　　On typical highways and city roads, the Ioniq rides remarkably flat. The car maintains its composure on sharp bumpy roads. But the suspension can't keep up over rolling bumps, which results in an annoying pogo effect that may nauseate some passengers.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.5

　　The electric motor is quiet, so you'll only hear road and wind noise when at speed. You'll hear the gas engine turn on, but you won't feel it. Still, the Ioniq's good sound damping means it has less interior noise on the highway than most other economy cars.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The dual-zone automated system is easy to use with clearly labeled buttons and benefits from a driver-only mode. This mode increases efficiency by reducing the system output and directing all air to the driver's vents. The front-seat heaters take a while to warm up but produce a pleasing amount of heat.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　Although it's not exciting or space-age in appearance, the Ioniq's interior is extremely functional and easy to live with. Road trips will be comfortable for front passengers but not so much for any tall folks sitting in the back.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　The Ioniq's high level of technology is easy to use. Icons are labeled in plain-speak, and no menu goes more than two layers deep. A programmable "star" button located among the radio controls can be configured to call up just about any function. We programmed it for smartphone mirroring.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.0

　　Although the Ioniq has wide door sills, its low seat bottom bolstering and large door opening allow front passengers to slide in or out easily. Rear passengers with tall torsos may have problems with the smaller entry space due to the low roofline and slightly elevated position of the rear seats.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　The driver's seat has a broad range of fore/aft, height and lumbar adjustments. The amount of steering wheel tilt is also good, though we wish for a few more inches of reach adjustment. We found the small-diameter, flat-bottom steering wheel shape to be very sporty and pleasing.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　Front-seat passengers will find the cabin sufficiently spacious in nearly all dimensions, though extra-tall passengers in the front may slightly graze the headliner due to the sunroof. The rear seat provides a lot of width but not much head- or legroom.

　　

Visibility

6.0

　　Because of their placement, the side mirrors can obstruct your view at the lower front roof pillars. The rear view is adequate through the split windows, but the roofline slope may cut it short for some tall drivers. The massive rear pillars make the view over the shoulder terrible. The rear camera and blind-spot detection are essential.

　　

Quality

7.0

　　The interior is filled with synthetic materials and hard plastics, though the fit of everything is excellent. The body structure feels like it's one solid piece, and we heard no squeaks or rattles. We'd like higher-grade materials on the areas that occupants have the most contact with.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　By design, the Ioniq hatchback offers more utility than a similar-size sedan. When it comes to comparisons to other hatchbacks, the Hyundai blends in. None of its small- or large-item storage features raise it much above the norm.

　　

Small-item storage

7.5

　　There's plenty of areas to store your smaller items. The center console bin is medium-size and deep. The door pockets are narrower than we'd like but have an area for a larger water bottle. A large slot next to the cupholders is designed for tablet users, but otherwise it is oddly shaped.

　　

Cargo space

7.0

　　With 23 cubic feet of cargo space, this PHEV sits above most for the class. The rear seatbacks are split 60/40 and fold nearly flat for additional capacity. The cargo cover can be conveniently stored in a compartment underneath the load floor. The hatch, when open, extends higher than you might expect.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

　　The Ioniq has four LATCH anchors in the rear seat (two in each outboard position) and three tethers located on the seatbacks. But you really have to squeeze your hand through the folds of the seat material to get at the anchors.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　The touchscreen may be small, but it's easy to use. Bluetooth pairing is dead-simple, and smartphones can be connected with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Voice controls function well but have limited scope. Advanced driver aids are available only on the highest trim.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.0

　　The responsive touchscreen employs pinch-and-swipe gestures, and its grid layout packs a lot of info on the screen. The 8-inch screen is easy to read and navigate, and we found the traffic alerts to be accurate and timely. Charging stations and distance-to-empty info are displayed on the map as well.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.5

　　Bluetooth pairing is simple and fast. This system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ioniq includes USB and auxiliary ports and two 12-volt accessory outlets below the radio. Another USB charge point is located in the center console, as is an optional Qi-spec wireless charging shelf.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are available and work well, but they're only options on the most expensive trim level. Some hybrid competitors are starting to include these aids as standard equipment.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　The Ioniq supports basic commands, such as phone calls and audio controls, and we found that the system responds well. Users can summon Siri and Google Voice commands by pressing the voice button longer, which makes up for any deficits the standard system may have.

　　

Which Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

　　The standard Ioniq PHEV offers a decent amount of equipment and connectivity. But for a few thousand dollars more, the Limited adds adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and leather seats. It's worth the stretch.

　　

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid models

　　The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is a five-passenger, four-door compact hatchback. It shares its basic hybrid powertrain and six-speed automatic transmission with the regular Ioniq Hybrid, but the Plug-In comes with a larger 8.9-kWh battery allowing it to drive up to 29 miles in electric mode. The Plug-In is available in two trims: the standard base trim and the Limited, which includes more luxury and technology features.

　　The Ioniq Plug-In uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to produce a total of 139 horsepower. Standard feature highlights for the base trim include 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights, keyless entry with push-button start, heated front seats, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a USB port and satellite radio.

　　The Limited adds LED headlights, a power-adjustable driver's seat, leather seating surfaces, a larger driver information display, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear-seat air vents, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, a drowsy driver warning system, and automatic emergency braking.

　　An Ultimate package is available for the Limited. It includes turn adaptive headlights with high-beam assist, a sunroof, a larger 8-inch touchscreen display with Hyundai Blue Link connected services, a navigation system, LED interior lighting, rear parking sensors, a wireless phone charging pad, and an Infinity Premium eight-speaker audio system.

　　

2019 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Highlights

Trim: BaseLimitedBase

　　

Base MSRP	$25,350
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,400
Engine Type	Plug-in hybrid
EPA Electric Range	29 miles
Combined MPGe (Electric + Gas)	119 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
Cost to Drive	$65/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	2.3 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles