Hyundai Ioniq

 Overview

The Hyundai Ioniq is the South Korean automaker’s first vehicle in its lineup to be built specifically from the ground up for a hybrid and pure electric powertrain. The 5-door C-Segment liftback first made its debut back in early 2016 before Hyundai Sime Darby Motors officially introduced it to the Malaysian market later in the same year.

Locally assembled in Kulim, Malaysia, only the Hybrid variant made its way to the local market. The hybrid powertrain incorporates a conventional internal combustion engine and a high-efficiency permanent magnet electric motor, which in turn is powered by a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.

Priced starting from Rm 99,888, the Hyundai Ioniq is available in the base HEV trim and the range topping HEV Plus trim. It is competitively priced and offers a rather compelling proposition that is hard to match by its closest rivals. The CBU Toyota Prius hybrid for instant can easily costs an upwards of RM 200,000 when first launched. The Honda Insight on the other hand is similarly priced but with significantly less equipment.

Hyundai Ioniq Exterior

The Hyundai Ioniq is designed with efficiency in mind. It manages an aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.24 thanks to a streamlined and fastback profile. The integrated side air curtain combined with the integrated rear spoiler further enhances aerodynamic performance for better efficiency.As standard, the Hyundai Ioniq is fitted with chrome door handle, electric folding side mirror, LED daytime running lights with integrated air curtain, integrated rear spoiler, blue signature lines and 17-inch alloy wheels. 

The base HEV variant features a gloss black radiator grille, projector halogen headlamps and bulb-type rear combination taillights while the range topping HEV Plus variant adds semi-gloss chrome grille, HID Bi-xenon headlamps, LED rear combination lamp and LED positioning lamp.The bonnet and the tailgate are both made out of aluminium to keep the overall weight down, saving a total of 12kg compared to conventional steel. The rear windscreen is also lighter by 25% compared to other Hyundai models.

The spacious 550 litre boot volume in the Hyundai Ioniq is rather unusual for a hybrid thanks to the lithium-ion battery pack that is placed underneath the rear seats, maximizing the cargo area. In terms of overall size, the C-Segment hybrid is marginally shorter but wider than the Toyota Prius. Weighing in at 1,370 kg, its lighter too.

Hyundai Ioniq Interior

On the inside, the HEV variant gets fabric upholstery with manual adjustable seats, a 5.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, a 4.2-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster and blue highlights around the air vents and centre console. The HEV Plus on the other hand gets upgraded to leather upholstery with power adjustable seats, leather wrapped multi-function D-cut steering wheel, a bigger 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster.

Interior space is generous featuring a multi-functional centre storage console, a convenient space for storing tablet, books and other items that could not fit in other compartments. The dashboard and centre console are covered in hard plastics accented by gloss black inserts on the audio control panel as well as the transmission console. The absence of a hand operated parking brake frees up space in the central tunnel area for more interior storage. Head room and knee room is adequate and the 60:40 split foldable rear seats further expands storage area up to 750 litres.

Hyundai Ioniq Features

Standard equipment includes dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth handsfree, AUX and USB connectivity, automatic light control, rear air vents, automatic power window and a foot operated parking brake. Convenience feature like Keyless Entry with Push to Start and automatic cruise control system are also fitted as standard across all variants.

The base HEV variant features manually adjustable seats while the HEV Plus gets an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support. The HEV Plus also feature a Qi wireless charging, smart cruise control, automatic rain sensor and a bigger 7.0-inch high-definition TFT LCD instrument cluster that shows multiple driving info including speed, fuel economy, and energy flow.

In terms of safety, the Hyundai Ioniq comes as standard with 7 airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM). It also comes with driver assistance feature like Parking Assist System (front and rear), rear view camera and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). HEV Plus variant gets upgraded driver assistance package which include Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Keep Assist System (LKSA) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB),

Hyundai Ioniq Powertrain Performance

The Hyundai Ionic hybrid system consist of a 1.6 litre Kappa 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine which on itself produces 105 PS at 5,700 RPM and 147 NM of torque from 4,000 RPM. The naturally aspirated engine is then coupled to a permanent magnet synchronous motor that produces 32kW (44PS) and 170 NM of torque, powered by a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The total combined system output is estimated at 141 PS and 265 NM, propelling the 1.4-ton car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 11.0 seconds and up to a top speed of 185 km/h. The hybrid powertrain offers two driving modes – Eco and Sport. In Eco mode, the car starts in pure EV mode (up to 120 km/h) and the internal combustion engine will only kick in when needed in situations like during acceleration, going uphill or when the battery runs out. 

In Sport mode, both the engine and electric motor works concurrently to power the vehicle. Predictive energy management system onboard analyses travel routes and recover braking force for optimal energy storage. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission (dry) which offers both the convenience of a conventional automatic torque converter and the performance and efficiency of a manual transmission.

Hyundai Ioniq Fuel Consumption

The Hyundai Ioniq is easily one of the most fuel-efficient cars boasting a combined claimed fuel economy of 3.4 L/100 km, blowing its closest competition out of the water. This is partly thanks to an improved internal combustion engine that managed to achieve 40 % thermal efficiency, an aerodynamic profile with best in class drag coefficient and last but not least an efficient hybrid powertrain with clever energy management system.

 Ride Comfort

The Hyundai Ioniq is constructed using advanced high-strength steel. Apart from enhancing impact safety, it also increases the vehicle rigidity. Combined with a suspension set up consisting of MacPherson Strut at the front and a multi-link system with dual lower arm at the rear, the Hyundai Ioniq promises an overall better ride comfort and superior driving dynamic.

Hyundai Ioniq Conclusion

On paper, the Hyundai Ioniq certainly ticks all the right boxes. It is generously spec, uniquely designed and is simply one of safest and the most fuel-efficient cars to ever be introduced in the segment. Despite being a 5 year old car, it still manages to beat the recently introduced Honda City RS e:HEV hybrid in terms of fuel economy, which only manages 3.6 L/100 km.

Unfortunately, the idea of a hybrid car has never really been fully embraced by Malaysian, and a Korean-made hybrid at that. It is such a shame that the Hyundai Ioniq is set to be discontinued in 2021 and we will not be expecting a facelift model anytime soon in the near future.