Summary
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric was one of three separate versions of the Ioniq saloon family, along with plug-in hybrid and regular hybrid versions. It was a mid-sized family saloon, which was launched in 2016, updated in Autumn 2019, and discontinued in 2022.
The Ioniq Electric was considered one of the pioneers of electric car development, although in the last few years of its production its performance and driving range were eclipsed by many other vehicles – not least models like the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro from within the Hyundai/Kia family.
Based on the 24 media reviews we currently have in our database, The Ioniq Electric’s Expert Rating of 69% is better than its hybrid and plug-in hybrid sisters. However, it’s a few points behind the Nissan Leaf and well off the pace of the e-Niro and Kona Electric.
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric received generally positive reviews from the UK motoring media. The updated 2019 model was praised for offering a much improved range compared to the original model, which made it a far more suitable vehicle for many potential buyers. However, its driving dynamics were not as sharp as some newer electric vehicles, and the boot was quite small which restricts luggage space.
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-size saloon
Powertrain: battery electric vehicle
Price when new: From £30,950 on-road
Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Autumn 2019
Discontinued: Summer 2022
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
“While many electric vehicles play on rapid acceleration or futuristic styling inside and out to woo buyers, Hyundai’s approach is much more mundane – this is an ordinary-looking car that’s perfectly good (if exceedingly dull) to drive, while spacious and practical inside. And that’s where its appeal lies.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Namsan Edition (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“While the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 Namsan Edition is pricey, the powertrain and battery upgrades across the range are a welcome addition.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview (electric and hybrids)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq comes in three flavours, and is a more conventional-looking – and cheaper – proposition than the Toyota Prius.”
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Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq Electric isn’t a class leader in any one area, but it certainly makes more of a case for itself with its improved real-world range. It’s practical enough to use as an everyday family car and there aren’t too many EVs for just over £30k that claim make a similar claim.”
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Auto Trader
Score: 7 / 10
“While it isn’t the most glamorous or trendy of electric cars, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric ticks plenty of boxes. It’s easy to drive, reasonably practical and should prove effortless to own. If you are ruled more by your head than your heart, the Ioniq is well worth a look.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: Range overview (including hybrid models)
Score: 7 / 10
“Even factoring in the government plug-in car grant that you’ll get when buying a Hyundai Ioniq Electric, you still really have to want a battery-powered car to choose it. A petrol-engine rival will be cheaper to buy and in many cases better to drive, while the Ioniq Hybrid may be the perfect compromise.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“This revised Ioniq Electric brings with it a larger battery (up from 28kWh to 38kWh) and a more efficient electric motor to increase the range by some 30% to a claimed 194 miles.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“If you have access to personal charging via home or work and your commute can be accommodated within its range, the tax breaks, genuine driving fun, and distinct model, full-electric eco feel-good factor could be hard to beat. I’d recommend a test drive.”
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Car
Score: 6 / 10
“A good car in isolation. But the Hyundai Ioniq Electric suffers because the competition has come along in leaps and bounds. What was once thoroughly middle-of-the-pack now languishes near the bottom, but unfortunately doesn’t make that more palatable with a super-low price tag.”
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Car Keys
Score: 8 / 10
“The Ioniq Electric is yet another tempting electrified offering from Hyundai – bringing viable EVs into the mainstream with affordable pricing and good real-world ranges, though not class-leading.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.2 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a zero-emissions family-car that’s well designed and easy to drive”.
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Carwow
Score: 6 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is well equipped and offers good space for a family. It looks pricey next to other Ioniqs, though, and alternative electric cars are nicer inside.”
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Company Car Today
“The best small-family EV hatchback on the market. A very polished product now with better range and advanced connected car technology.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Premium SE
Score: 7 / 10
“Based purely on cost and range, we would not recommend you buy a Hyundai Ioniq Electric. There are other EV competitors that are cheaper to buy and also have much longer ranges. If you’re a Hyundai devotee and it fits in with your lifestyle and budget, then it may be for you – otherwise, it’s a tough sell.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A mid-life facelift gave the Hyundai Ioniq Electric more range, more power and a new infotainment screen, so it’s still a strong contender in the family electric-car class.”
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Eurekar
Model reviewed: Range overview (including hybrids)
“The Hyundai Ioniq Electric can handle motorway speed with ease, accelerate rapidly if required and stop almost on a sixpence as soon as the accelerator is released. That’s down to its regenerative braking function.”
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Evo
Score: 7 / 10
“Hyundai’s electric offering drives well, but its range has slipped behind ever-improving rivals.”
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: Premium
Score: 9 / 10
“There’s no question that the Hyundai Ioniq’s updates bring the car right up to speed. For fleets, the pricing should make it more attractive than larger battery cars while its efficiency means it still offers impressive range. To top it off, it comes fully loaded as standard too.”
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Green Car Guide
Score: 9 / 10
“The new Hyundai Ioniq Electric offers a longer driving range than the previous model, responsive acceleration, a comfortable ride, and a low centre of gravity, resulting in good handling.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: All Ioniq models (including hybrids)
Score: 8 / 10
“For those seeking an alternatively-fuelled car, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is an interesting alternative to the Nissan Leaf EV. It’s competitively priced and very well-equipped, plus it comes with a reassuring five-year, unlimited mileage warranty.”
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Motors.co.uk
Score: 7 / 10
“Compared to similarly-powered conventional hatchbacks, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is quite an expensive proposition, even when you consider the savings on road tax and fuel costs. On the plus side, standard equipment is excellent, which does at least help to justify its list price.”
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Move Electric
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s not a car that’ll get your pulse racing or turn your neighbours green with envy, but the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a thoroughly sensible, well-equipped and great value family EV. Provided you can live with the range.” (James Disdale)
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Parkers
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Cut-price Tesla Model S impresses, but isn’t class-leading.”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: All Ioniq models (including hybrids)
“It’s faster than the 30kWh Nissan Leaf Acenta, goes further and nearly a grand cheaper — with more kit. Fun to drive, stop-and-go like a dodgem with one gear, impossible to stall.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“Freshly facelifted with a bigger battery and more range, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric might not look like much, but it can travel 194 miles on a charge and comes with a slew of toys.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
“A well-equipped EV with 26 miles more range – that’s an entire marathon – than an entry-level Nissan Leaf.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The electric-only Hyundai Ioniq is not as convincing as the hybrid versions, due to bigger batteries that make the car heavier and restrict its boot space, although its near 200-mile range does appeal.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed:
Score: 6.4 / 10
“The latest Hyundai Ioniq Electric isn’t the most exciting EV on the market, although it is well equipped and practical, particularly in top Premium SE form. But it’s also rather expensive for what is essentially a standard family hatchback, when you can get the Nissan Leaf e+ with a longer range and faster performance for similar money.” (James Morris)
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2016
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 70%
Safety assist: 82%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: Electric 4×2
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: February 2019
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 8.5 / 10
Reliability rating
As of August 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Hyundai Ioniq Electric to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Ioniq Electric, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Hyundai Ioniq Electric has received
2020
- What Car? Electric Car Awards – Best Electric Family Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën e-C4 | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia e-Niro | Kia Soul EV | Nissan Leaf | Peugeot e-2008 | Polestar 2 | Skoda Octavia iV plug-in | Tesla Model 3 | Toyota Prius Plug-In | Vauxhall Mokka-e | Volkswagen ID.3
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