Flash Drive

2017 Hyundai Ioniq

September 13, 2017 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue

The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq hybrid is great both on the highway and in city driving.

Engine: 1.6-liter I-4 Atkinson-cycle, 104 horsepower 109 lb-ft torque plus electric motor, 43 horsepower 125 lb-ft torque, net system power 139 hp, 195 lb-ft

Transmission: 6-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 57-mpg city/59-mpg highway/58-mpg combined

Base Price: $22,200

As Tested: $23,160

Performance:

Peppy performance and acceleration

Phenomenal fuel economy—our best was 65.2 mpg

The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq is a compact hatchback sedan that has ample people and cargo room.

Driving style monitor: Economical, Normal, Aggressive

Excellent info display

Highway ride decent, but a little firm

Comfort:

Very roomy interior

Stretch-out driver legroom

Super stretch-out front passenger legroom

Excellent headroom

Seat height pump for both front seats

Thick, flat-bottomed, textured plastic steering wheel

Excellent auxiliary controls

Wide range of tilt/telescopic adjustments

The cargo deck is large and flat although the split folding rear seats to have a slight upward slant.

Large, soft headrests

Cloth headliner

Rear seat room fine if fronts are up slightly

Good shoe room

Low floor hump

Utility:

Split, folding rear seats

Noticeable slant to folded seats

Good headroom for rear hatch

Flat cargo floor

Substantial lift-over (9-inches)

Retractable cargo cover

Extra storage under cargo deck

Cheap plastic door panels

Narrow front door bins with bottle notches

Front seat room is excellent and the comfortable steering wheel has a flat bottom.

Large visors with long adjustment

Digital and analog speedometers

Deep, medium size console bin

Large glovebox

Three grab handles

One seatback cargo net

Small rear door bins with bottle notches

WOW Factors:

Incredible fuel economy even for a gas/electric hybrid

Bargain priced hybrid

Nice features for such a low price

A great city commuter car

Fun to drive

Whines:

Interior budget cuts pretty obvious

The rear spoiler interrupts the outward vision through the hatchback glass.

Spoiler hampers rear vision

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq is a great addition to the growing gas/electric hybrid marketplace. The Ioniq is available is various trim levels, but they all share an extremely efficient powertrain. The Ioniq Blue is the bargain entry, so its cost-cutting elements can be avoided on the more expensive iterations.