How many times have you happened upon something new and innovative, believing that it might become immensely popular, only for it to disappear without trace, when next you wanted to sample, or even buy it? There is a reason for it and it is tied-up in the inconvenience of happenstance; a condition affected by fashion, fads and fast-moving-consumer-goods, most of which are linked to the immediacy (or not) of fickle shopper demand…there is a lot of ‘Fs’ in there, linked to the final ‘F’, when you cannot obtain an example.
Perhaps that ‘F’ can become a ‘PH’ by quirk of English language and pronunciation, which happens to be the first two initials of this latest Hyundai Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle that also happens to be called Ioniq? Before launching into the PHEV, let me attempt to explain Ioniq to you. It is, in a strangely God-like Trinity manner, three separate models in one. One is Electric, one is Hybrid and the other is Plug-in Hybrid; identifiable separately by different alloy wheel, frontal aspect and badge styling details. In other words, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit of the automotive scene, without wishing to delve too deeply into sacrilege. It ought to receive a Papal blessing (as all new Fiats once used to, such was the pulling potency of the Agnelli dynasty!), which could aid its future prosperity.
The march of the alternative fuel brigade is being led by governments needing and demanding zero emissions vehicles. The uptake of EVs is increasing daily, against the tumbling retail sales of conventional transport. Yet, the consumer remains confused, which should not come as much of a surprise really. Nissan Leaf EVs, or Toyota Priuses are sold increasingly to active-retireds, living off pensions generous enough to enable the acquisition of an ‘eco-car’. Yet, Hyundai cannot be said to be doing anything less than aiding the conversion necessary from the heathenism of fossil fuels’ consumption, to the clean-and-green hedonism of hybrid. I love hybrids and, until a true ‘alternative fuel’ becomes available, my heart lies in a battery-supported petrol pump.
Hybrid technology, eking out frugality by engaging petrol power with self-generated electricity, remains a star turn. Since the arrival of plug-in technology, in the Ioniq’s case, creating a 30 to 35-miles pure EV range, the educational value is high. Driving the Ioniq PHEV reveals that life-with-an-EV can be amusing, while lacking the battery life and range anxiety issues of pure EVs. The fact that a single overnight charge can enable an office commute, or Saturday shopping trip, or delivering the offspring to nursery/school, or the 9.00am service at the local synagogue can be carried out with halo-intactness is much to Hyundai’s credit.
The Ioniq PHEV uses a 105bhp 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to a six-speed twin-clutch automated gearbox (complete with steering wheel paddles), optimised for fuel economy, and 60mpg is well within the reach of 99% of Ioniq drivers. Factor in the EV mode and, while the officially stated 256.8mpg Combined figure might be in cloud-cuckooland, its CO2 emissions of 26g/km are taxation-tantalisingly low. To be fair, around 75-80mpg should be within the reach of some Ioniq daily drivers, using a mix of hybrid power, which is a most welcome aspect worth clinging to. The Ioniq can clock the 0-60mph dash in around 10.3 seconds, before reaching a maximum velocity of 110mph.
More importantly, it is affordable, weighing in at a list price of £29,860 (not including FCD discount) in Premium SE trim. Packed with fascinating features both inside and out, the Ioniq is not just well-proportioned but is moderately accommodating too. The boot offers some practical, below-floor slots for valuables, although the various cables (one for roadside fast-charge plug-in, the other for domestic, three-pin ‘emergency’ supply), while stashed in neatly logo’d bags, sit atop the boot floor.
The interior décor is pleasant, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and attractive highlights, such as the blue rings around the instruments and air-vents. Of course, the electronic dials ahead of the driver are configurable, in typical hybrid manner, by dabbing on the appropriate steering wheel button, of which there are plenty to become familiar with. The touch-screen in the centre of the dashboard is still legible when the sun is behind the car. It is all very neatly laid-out and familiarity soon breeds (there is also a useful, wireless induction charge pad for the mobile-phone built into the storage slot ahead of the gear selector).
Equipment levels are high, including heated, ventilated and electrically adjustable front seats, hide upholstery, dual-zone climate control, auto-on wipers and lights, puddle lamps, heated steering wheel rim, rear camera and guidance system, sat-nav and connectivity galore.
It is worth highlighting that, in EV mode, the Ioniq pulls uphill strongly, without kicking-in the petrol engine, although when it needs to, to top-up its battery pack (using the over-run and brake energy recovery system), it happens painlessly and quietly. What’s more, the Ioniq is eminently drivable, feeling as much at home being pedalled along country lanes, as it is cruising on motorways. Its relative ‘normality’ is the key to its potential success with ride quality that is sublime and steering that feels connected to the front wheels. The pure electric Ioniq replaces the multi-link rear suspension of the PHEV with a simpler set-up, due to its enlarged battery pack, that harms both ride and handling of the car and creates another case for acquiring the PHEV instead.
Interestingly, as only the second brand that I have tested that features semi-autonomous steering (the new Volvo models have it), I could feel how the car self-steers around bends and maintains station between road-markings, although a completely hands-off situation results in a bleep warning and on-screen display suggesting that the steering-wheel sensor detects a lack of contact…well, sampling the Steering Assist was worth the effort. It is part of a typically growing array of advanced technology that signifies a driverless future and is being incorporated on an increasing number of new cars.
No less than 10 years’ worth of sat-nav map updates are included in the price, as are a five years unlimited mileage warranty, five years roadside assistance and eight years (125,000 miles) of battery warranty.
