2018 Hyundai Ioniq PHEV Review and Comparison
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Date: 2019-05-30
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Comments and reviews: 10
odontomatix
Ive just driven my new 2018 Ioniq Hybrid for 100 miles so far, but I love the car already. 60 mpg so far. My former car was a 2011 Kia Sportage (non-hybrid. I thought about getting the 2018 Kia Niro hybrid, which is a compact SUV like my Sportage, but I read some negative reviews of the 2017 Niro on owners forums, so I looked into the Hyundai Ioniq. It meets my needs just fine. The lower profile improves fuel economy and Im fine with the seating height that is lower than the compact SUV. However, although Im a computer nerd from way back when you had to assemble your own personal computer from a kit of parts, Im bogged down with learning all of the features of the instruments and entertainment accessories. Theres a lot of funtionality packed into there. I havent even started looking into the Android Auto users guide from Google yet. But, the salesman ran me through the basic operations of the car itself when I took delivery, so Im doing fine so far. Every day I read a little more about the gadgets and secrets, like how to get into the car if the battery is dead, since there is only keyless entry and no visible keyhole. (Theres a way, using the little key inside the remote control, to get access to a secret keyhole in the door) And how to store my favorite music on the media players internal memory (which isnt explained in the manual) so I can unplug the USB drive and use that USB port for my Samsung phone to navigate with Google Maps.
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Ive just driven my new 2018 Ioniq Hybrid for 100 miles so far, but I love the car already. 60 mpg so far. My former car was a 2011 Kia Sportage (non-hybrid. I thought about getting the 2018 Kia Niro hybrid, which is a compact SUV like my Sportage, but I read some negative reviews of the 2017 Niro on owners forums, so I looked into the Hyundai Ioniq. It meets my needs just fine. The lower profile improves fuel economy and Im fine with the seating height that is lower than the compact SUV. However, although Im a computer nerd from way back when you had to assemble your own personal computer from a kit of parts, Im bogged down with learning all of the features of the instruments and entertainment accessories. Theres a lot of funtionality packed into there. I havent even started looking into the Android Auto users guide from Google yet. But, the salesman ran me through the basic operations of the car itself when I took delivery, so Im doing fine so far. Every day I read a little more about the gadgets and secrets, like how to get into the car if the battery is dead, since there is only keyless entry and no visible keyhole. (Theres a way, using the little key inside the remote control, to get access to a secret keyhole in the door) And how to store my favorite music on the media players internal memory (which isnt explained in the manual) so I can unplug the USB drive and use that USB port for my Samsung phone to navigate with Google Maps.
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Bob Eldridge
Picked up my Plugin Ioniq 2019 (Limited) last Monday. Had to go to Danbury Connecticut to get one as NJ and NY dealers were unable to get any. So far so good, but the heater forcing the gas engine on is a downer. Other than that, I like the performance of the vehicle and the way it handles. Occasionally, there is the slightest of hesitation when accelerating from a standstill (the manual states there is two second hill hold feature - perhaps that is what I am feeling. The car feels tighter than our 2013 Prius hybrid and is a better value. I wear hearing aids and the noise level is noticeably quieter than our Prius. For about the same price as what I paid in 2013 for the Prius, the Ioniq comes with electric driver seat controls, seat heaters, leather interior seats, LED and Halogen exterior lights, safety features like lane assist and adaptive cruise control, Blue Link service for 3 years, and of course, the Plugin feature. I chose the Limited model because I prefer to use the apps on my Android phone for navigation and did not want a sun roof. So far the Google apps seem to integrate perfectly on the Ioniqs screen using Android Auto. The touch screen responds to map scaling and many commands using Android assistant are available to select routes and other options. It also can use Apple Play, but not being an i-Phone user, I am not sure how well it integrates with that phone.
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Picked up my Plugin Ioniq 2019 (Limited) last Monday. Had to go to Danbury Connecticut to get one as NJ and NY dealers were unable to get any. So far so good, but the heater forcing the gas engine on is a downer. Other than that, I like the performance of the vehicle and the way it handles. Occasionally, there is the slightest of hesitation when accelerating from a standstill (the manual states there is two second hill hold feature - perhaps that is what I am feeling. The car feels tighter than our 2013 Prius hybrid and is a better value. I wear hearing aids and the noise level is noticeably quieter than our Prius. For about the same price as what I paid in 2013 for the Prius, the Ioniq comes with electric driver seat controls, seat heaters, leather interior seats, LED and Halogen exterior lights, safety features like lane assist and adaptive cruise control, Blue Link service for 3 years, and of course, the Plugin feature. I chose the Limited model because I prefer to use the apps on my Android phone for navigation and did not want a sun roof. So far the Google apps seem to integrate perfectly on the Ioniqs screen using Android Auto. The touch screen responds to map scaling and many commands using Android assistant are available to select routes and other options. It also can use Apple Play, but not being an i-Phone user, I am not sure how well it integrates with that phone.
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odontomatix
One strange thing I noticed in the Ioniq manual is that the PHEV has a conventional lead-acid car battery concealed in the side of the cargo area, which is used to start the engine, but the plain Hybrid has a lithium-polymer starter battery just like the hybrid drive battery. The lead-acid battery may need maintenance, just like any conventional car battery, but the lithium battery doesnt. And the lead-acid battery is heavier than a lithium battery. Its baffling why the engineers had to use the lead-acid battery in the PHEV. The lithium starter battery of the Hybrid in normal operation contributes to the hybrid drive power along with the main battery. In the event that the starting battery is discharged too low (less than 10% of capacity, the car disconnects the starter battery from the main battery circuit so it saves the little remaining charge for starting. Theres a button on the drivers knee panel that overrides the disconnect for 15 seconds to give you time to re-start the car if the starter battery has been shut off. After restarting like that, you need to run the car on gasoline power for about 30 minutes to let it recharge the starter battery.
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One strange thing I noticed in the Ioniq manual is that the PHEV has a conventional lead-acid car battery concealed in the side of the cargo area, which is used to start the engine, but the plain Hybrid has a lithium-polymer starter battery just like the hybrid drive battery. The lead-acid battery may need maintenance, just like any conventional car battery, but the lithium battery doesnt. And the lead-acid battery is heavier than a lithium battery. Its baffling why the engineers had to use the lead-acid battery in the PHEV. The lithium starter battery of the Hybrid in normal operation contributes to the hybrid drive power along with the main battery. In the event that the starting battery is discharged too low (less than 10% of capacity, the car disconnects the starter battery from the main battery circuit so it saves the little remaining charge for starting. Theres a button on the drivers knee panel that overrides the disconnect for 15 seconds to give you time to re-start the car if the starter battery has been shut off. After restarting like that, you need to run the car on gasoline power for about 30 minutes to let it recharge the starter battery.
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Trades46
While the Ioniq hybrid (for the regular folk who cant access a charger) and the Ioniq electric (insane efficiency) makes sense - this Plug-in hybrid feels like a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. While I name myself as such for being that kind of person, I cant see this DCT hybrid system doing too well on efficiency when it comes to power usage with a main electric motor propulsion - theres a reason EV dont have gearboxes. Regen braking is going to be hampered & it is not going to be as smooth, which means the Ioniq plug-in is eschewing traditional EV trademarks on the grounds of sharing costs & powertrain with the regular Ioniq hybrid. In that case, I rather pay the few thousand difference and go for the Ioniq electric altogether.
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While the Ioniq hybrid (for the regular folk who cant access a charger) and the Ioniq electric (insane efficiency) makes sense - this Plug-in hybrid feels like a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. While I name myself as such for being that kind of person, I cant see this DCT hybrid system doing too well on efficiency when it comes to power usage with a main electric motor propulsion - theres a reason EV dont have gearboxes. Regen braking is going to be hampered & it is not going to be as smooth, which means the Ioniq plug-in is eschewing traditional EV trademarks on the grounds of sharing costs & powertrain with the regular Ioniq hybrid. In that case, I rather pay the few thousand difference and go for the Ioniq electric altogether.
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Kalisbitch
Great review. Bummed to hear the PHEV does not handle as well as the regular hybrid. One thing Alex did not mention (or I missed it) was whether the PHEV has the same multi-link independent rear suspension as the regular hybrid. I am wondering how much of the reduced handling can be remedied with more performance-oriented tires and 17 wheels, versus the added weight of the batteries or a less advanced suspension, which cannot be changed. How far would swapping out the OEMs for some 17 performance tires really get you? Also curious if the PHEV is compatible with the same wide 225/45 r17 tires as on the regular Ionic Limited.
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Great review. Bummed to hear the PHEV does not handle as well as the regular hybrid. One thing Alex did not mention (or I missed it) was whether the PHEV has the same multi-link independent rear suspension as the regular hybrid. I am wondering how much of the reduced handling can be remedied with more performance-oriented tires and 17 wheels, versus the added weight of the batteries or a less advanced suspension, which cannot be changed. How far would swapping out the OEMs for some 17 performance tires really get you? Also curious if the PHEV is compatible with the same wide 225/45 r17 tires as on the regular Ionic Limited.
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theexmann
Ive been considering both the Ioniq PHEV and the Prius Prime. Two more additional CONS with the Prime is that there is no sunroof option, and the location of the electrical charge point is on the right rear side of the car. In my case, its very inconvenient as I park head first into my garage and the only electrical outlets are on the wall in front of the car. The Ioniq has both a sunroof option and the electrical recharge plug location is on the front left so its very convenient for me to plug it into the outlet in my garage. BTW, I currently have a 2004 Prius with 230, 000 miles on it.
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Ive been considering both the Ioniq PHEV and the Prius Prime. Two more additional CONS with the Prime is that there is no sunroof option, and the location of the electrical charge point is on the right rear side of the car. In my case, its very inconvenient as I park head first into my garage and the only electrical outlets are on the wall in front of the car. The Ioniq has both a sunroof option and the electrical recharge plug location is on the front left so its very convenient for me to plug it into the outlet in my garage. BTW, I currently have a 2004 Prius with 230, 000 miles on it.
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itsMike
I was torn on plugin vs normal hybrid but in SoCal I drive on the highway a lot. I ended up getting the normal hybrid SEL for highway MPG. I get the advertised 55 mpg without anyone but myself. I had probably 500lbs of cargo and just went from LA to Phoenix and got 50 mpg. I get 60 to 62 mpg because of typical LA traffic and all that low speed crawling, 650 to 620 miles from 11 gallons of gas has been normal over last 5000 miles. However, the plugin here in LA you can get better parking spots with free charging at malls or certain shopping centers, or waived from certain parking fees.
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I was torn on plugin vs normal hybrid but in SoCal I drive on the highway a lot. I ended up getting the normal hybrid SEL for highway MPG. I get the advertised 55 mpg without anyone but myself. I had probably 500lbs of cargo and just went from LA to Phoenix and got 50 mpg. I get 60 to 62 mpg because of typical LA traffic and all that low speed crawling, 650 to 620 miles from 11 gallons of gas has been normal over last 5000 miles. However, the plugin here in LA you can get better parking spots with free charging at malls or certain shopping centers, or waived from certain parking fees.
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Joseph G
IMO main advantage of the Prius is the standard headlights are good, active safety tech is standard, and it can heat the car in EV mode. Advantage of the Ioniq is its an actual 5-seater, cargo room, and luxury features. Im concerned the DCT and running the engine for heating on the Ioniq will mean the Prius wins on reliability pretty significantly. Ironically, the Prius is the value buy? IMO Hyundai is being greedy with the Poor base trim headlights, but Toyota really needs to get a 5th seat in there next year. They should have learned from Chevys mistake.
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IMO main advantage of the Prius is the standard headlights are good, active safety tech is standard, and it can heat the car in EV mode. Advantage of the Ioniq is its an actual 5-seater, cargo room, and luxury features. Im concerned the DCT and running the engine for heating on the Ioniq will mean the Prius wins on reliability pretty significantly. Ironically, the Prius is the value buy? IMO Hyundai is being greedy with the Poor base trim headlights, but Toyota really needs to get a 5th seat in there next year. They should have learned from Chevys mistake.
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Audiwan Kenobi
Hyundai should make all new owners sign a Will Not Drive Like a Prius Owner agreement. -No Hypermiling. :so called drafting larger vehicles to increase mpg. :no driving below the posted speed limit ever Especially not in the middle lane. :no taking it easy DURING RUSH HOUR. either go with the flow of traffic or get your butt off the road. :no accelerating soo slow from a stoplight that a cyclist accelerates faster. -No sitting entirely too close to the steering wheel. -No driving with both of your freaking hands on the very top of the steering wheel
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Hyundai should make all new owners sign a Will Not Drive Like a Prius Owner agreement. -No Hypermiling. :so called drafting larger vehicles to increase mpg. :no driving below the posted speed limit ever Especially not in the middle lane. :no taking it easy DURING RUSH HOUR. either go with the flow of traffic or get your butt off the road. :no accelerating soo slow from a stoplight that a cyclist accelerates faster. -No sitting entirely too close to the steering wheel. -No driving with both of your freaking hands on the very top of the steering wheel
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VGAPR Garage
No. We look at this when getting the next hybrid from the last gen Prius. Ended up with a brand new Prius prime. The seating is extremely uncomfortable compared to the prime. I do not know where you getting theres more room in the back seats compared to the prime. This car has no room from people seating in the back. The interior materials are HORRIBLE. Everywhere you touch is hard plastics. While driving you can hear the interior panels rubbing. The car is very noisy. So much road and wind noise. Its so cheap and you can see and feel it.
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No. We look at this when getting the next hybrid from the last gen Prius. Ended up with a brand new Prius prime. The seating is extremely uncomfortable compared to the prime. I do not know where you getting theres more room in the back seats compared to the prime. This car has no room from people seating in the back. The interior materials are HORRIBLE. Everywhere you touch is hard plastics. While driving you can hear the interior panels rubbing. The car is very noisy. So much road and wind noise. Its so cheap and you can see and feel it.
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