Hyundai Ioniq: history, nicknames and how to spot one

At a glance

118–139 hpPower

8.1–10.3 s0–60 mph

165–187 km/hTop speed

264–296 N·mTorque

1,359–1,575 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.^{2,4,5,13,14,15,16}

Layout: Front engine/motor, front-wheel drive⁴
Gearbox: Hybrid/PHEV: six-speed dual-clutch; Electric: single-speed reduction²
Built at: Ulsan plant, South Korea (all versions)^1,4

The story

The original AE Ioniq (2016–2022) was a five-door liftback created to make electrified driving accessible through hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric choices. The separate Ioniq sub-brand launched in 2020.^4,5,6

GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones^1,2,4,6

Show the numbers

Year	What happened
2012	Hyundai i-oniq concept (HED-8)
2016–2022	Hyundai Ioniq (AE)
2012	i-oniq concept lays the groundwork
2016	Lee and Yang map out electrification
2016	Three powertrains share one platform
2016	254 km/h hybrid record at Bonneville
2017	58 mpg Hybrid, 136 MPGe Electric
2017	Plug-in adds 29-mile electric range
2019	38.3 kWh battery, slower rapid charging
2020	170-mile EPA range; 150 on test
2022	July production shutdown at Ulsan

2012
i-oniq concept lays the groundwork
The i-oniq/HED-8 concept appeared at Geneva; its name fused ion and unique, later carried over to the production Ioniq.^1,6
2016
Lee and Yang map out electrification
Eco-tech chief Ki-Sang Lee outlined 26 eco models before 2020; Woong-Chul Yang described a hybrid system that could scale down to smaller cars.⁷
2016
Three powertrains share one platform
At Geneva, Hyundai presented Hybrid, Plug-in and Electric versions on the first dedicated platform to offer all three electrified powertrains.^2,5
2016
254 km/h hybrid record at Bonneville
A modified Ioniq Hybrid prototype set an FIA-approved production-based hybrid record at 254 km/h, helped by nitrous and aerodynamic changes.^8,9
2017
58 mpg Hybrid, 136 MPGe Electric
The Hybrid Blue's EPA combined rating reached 58 mpg; the Electric's 136 MPGe was the highest US electric-car efficiency rating.²
2017
Plug-in adds 29-mile electric range
The Plug-in Hybrid arrived with an 8.9 kWh battery, 29 miles of EPA electric-only range and a 119 MPGe rating in electric mode.⁴
2019
38.3 kWh battery, slower rapid charging
Electric battery capacity grew from 28 to 38.3 kWh; rapid charging fell from 70 to 50 kW. UK Premium trims gained a 10.25-inch screen.^10,11
2020
170-mile EPA range; 150 on test
EPA range grew from 124 to 170 miles. At 121 km/h, the Electric returned 150 miles on test; AC charging improved from 6.6 to 7.2 kW.¹²
2022
July production shutdown at Ulsan
The original Ioniq's run ended at Ulsan, South Korea. It had no direct successor; the name continued through the separate Ioniq EV sub-brand.^1,4

Every generation

HED-82012
AE2016–2022

Power over the years

From 118 hp to 139 hp in 1 year.

^2,12,16,17

Show the numbers

Year	Horsepower	Model
2016	118	Electric: claimed 9.9 s to 100 km/h
2017	139	Hybrid Blue: EPA 58 mpg
2018	139	Plug-in Hybrid: 8.9 kWh
2020	134	Electric: 38.3 kWh, 170-mile EPA range

Versions

6 versions worth knowing, with their power.

Standard

Hybrid Blue (US)

2017

139 hp
Standard

Hybrid SE / SEL / Limited (US)

139 hp
Standard

Essential / Preferred / Ultimate (Canada)

2021
Standard

Elite / Premium (Australia)

2019
Standard

Plug-in Hybrid Limited / Ultimate package (US)

2018

139 hp
Standard

Electric base / Limited / Ultimate package (US)

2017

118 hp

How to spot one

Look for

A liftback body combines a coupe-like roof with a blunt Kamm-back tail.^4,16,21
Original Hybrid/PHEV: hexagonal grille and upright C-shaped LED daytime running lights.²²
Original Electric: a smooth gray panel fills the space where the open grille would be.²²
Plug-in Hybrid: an extra charging flap sits in the left front fender.²²
Original Hybrid/PHEV: blue or silver accent lines run below both bumpers.²²

Year by year

September 2019 facelift (UK)
Hybrid and PHEV adopt a mesh grille with three-dimensional cells; Electric gains a grille with active cooling flaps.^10,23
2019 facelift
Reworked front and rear bumpers accompany new headlight and taillight designs across the range.¹⁰
2019 facelift (UK)
Premium and Premium SE gain a 10.25-inch widescreen navigation display; the redesigned cabin uses touch temperature controls.¹⁰

Don’t confuse it with

Ioniq
Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
The aerodynamic profile is similar. On an original Hybrid/PHEV Ioniq, look for a hexagonal grille and upright C-shaped LED running lights.^22,24
Ioniq
Elantra
Elantra
Look for the Ioniq's rear hatch and sloping roof flowing into a blunt Kamm-back tail.^16,18

Against its rivals

Ioniq vs Toyota Prius (fourth generation)

Price as tested lower is better

Ioniq24,160 £

Toyota Prius (fourth generation)26,290 £
¹⁵
Ioniq vs Toyota Prius Prime

EPA combined efficiency

Ioniq119 MPGe

Toyota Prius Prime133 MPGe
¹⁶
Ioniq vs Volkswagen e-Golf

Mean fast-charge power

Ioniq45 kW

Volkswagen e-Golf38 kW
²⁵

Prices

Value today $8.5K–$15.8K²⁸

Price when newValue today

^{4,12,13,14,16,18}

Show the numbers

Year	Price	Amount	Detail
2017	Launch price	$23,035	US Hybrid Blue base, 2017 model year
2017	Price when new	$23,035	US Hybrid Blue base
2017	Price when new	$30,335	US Electric base
2018	Price when new	$23,085	US Hybrid base
2018	Price when new	$25,835	US Plug-in Hybrid base
2018	Price when new	$32,935	US Plug-in Limited Ultimate, tested
2020	Price when new	$34,020	US Electric SE base
2020	Price when new	$39,590	US Electric Limited, tested
2021	Price when new	$24,405	US Hybrid Blue, incl. destination
2021	Price when new	$27,705	US Plug-in Hybrid SE, incl. dest.
2021	Price when new	$34,250	US Electric SE, incl. destination
2026	Value today	$8,450–$15,753

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

Versions
- Why each of the 6 versions matters
Legend
- 14 stories from its legend
- “Nitrous took a hybrid to 254 km/h”
- “58 mpg for Blue, 136 MPGe for Electric”
Generations
- The story of each of the 2 generations
Market
- 6 things to check before buying one

Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources

Farewell to a true trailblazer: Hyundai announces end of production for first IONIQ series hyundai.news
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid And Electric Models Soon To Be Available To U.S. Consumers prnewswire.com
Farewell, frugal friend: Hyundai confirms end of the road for Ioniq electrifying.com
Hyundai Ioniq - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Dedicated to disrupt: All-new Hyundai IONIQ line-up electrifies Geneva Motor Show | Hyundai News | Hyundai Australia hyundai.com
Hyundai i-oniq - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Hyundai and Kia plan eco-explosion with major hybrid tech roll out | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
Bonneville by hybrid - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
IONIQ Hybrid sets land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats | Hyundai News | Hyundai Australia hyundai.com
Hyundai Motor UK announces New IONIQ pricing and specifications hyundai.news
Used Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review and Buyers Guide | Electrifying electrifying.com
2020 Ioniq Electric Runs 150 Miles on Its New and Larger Battery caranddriver.com
2021 Hyundai IONIQ - Motor Illustrated motorillustrated.com
2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and EV First Test Review motortrend.com
Hyundai Ioniq vs Toyota Prius | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
Tested: 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid caranddriver.com
Hyundai Ioniq Electric review - prices, specs and 0-60 time | | evo evo.co.uk
Pennywiser: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Tested! caranddriver.com
First drive: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq range launch review | RACV racv.com.au
Hyundai announces pricing for Ioniq Electric subscription service - Autoblog autoblog.com
All-New Hyundai IONIQ line-up - Engineering and technology hyundai.news
All-New Hyundai IONIQ line-up - Design: efficiency and technology hyundai.news
Used Hyundai Ioniq review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
Long-term test review: Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
The biggest electric car test in winter wonderland ever - Norsk elbilforening elbil.no
Hyundai Ioniq Autonomous Concept (2016) - pictures, information & specs netcarshow.com
Hyundai Ioniq for SEMA Nets More Than 80 MPG motortrend.com
Buying a Used Hyundai IONIQ Electric (2016-2022): 28 vs 38 kWh, Battery Recalls & What to Pay | EVGuide.uk evguide.uk

hyundai.news
prnewswire.com
electrifying.com
en.wikipedia.org
hyundai.com
autoexpress.co.uk
carsales.com.au
caranddriver.com
motorillustrated.com
motortrend.com
evo.co.uk
racv.com.au
autoblog.com
elbil.no

At a glance

The story

i-oniq concept lays the groundwork

Lee and Yang map out electrification

Three powertrains share one platform

254 km/h hybrid record at Bonneville

58 mpg Hybrid, 136 MPGe Electric

Plug-in adds 29-mile electric range

38.3 kWh battery, slower rapid charging

170-mile EPA range; 150 on test

July production shutdown at Ulsan

Every generation

Power over the years

Versions

Hybrid Blue (US)

Hybrid SE / SEL / Limited (US)

Essential / Preferred / Ultimate (Canada)

Elite / Premium (Australia)

Plug-in Hybrid Limited / Ultimate package (US)

Electric base / Limited / Ultimate package (US)

How to spot one

Look for

Year by year

Don’t confuse it with

Toyota Prius

Elantra

Against its rivals

Prices

The rest of the story is in the app

Versions

Legend

Generations

Market

Sources

Photo credits

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