2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

Hyundai hasn’t changed the number of trim levels of the 2020 Ioniq from its predecessor. The IONIQ is available in 2 trims the IONIQ electric and the limited, starting from $29500 for the base model. It accompanies a few standard features like; 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, a rearview camera, heated side mirrors, keyless ignition and passage, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated six-way manually adjustable front seats and a 60/40-split-folding back seat back and significantly more.

Trim	Electric	Electric Limited
MSRP	$33,045	$38,615
Key Features	16” Eco-Spoke Alloy Wheels	Adds/Upgrades from Previous Trim
	Power Folding Heated Side Mirrors	Mirrors with turn Indicators and Puddle Lamps
	Front 2 Speed Intermittent wipers, Mist Function	Chrome Door handles and Beltline Molding
	Auto Headlight Control with LED DRL, Taillights	HID Headlights with LED Light guide
	Center and Rear Center Armrest with Cupholders	Power Tilt and Slide Sunroof
	Door Handle Approach Light	Heat Pump and Wireless Device Charging
	Auto Temperature Control with Auto Defogger	Floor Console Mounted Rear Seat HVAC Vents
	Rear Window Defroster	Leather Seating Surface and LED Interior Lighting
	Auto Up/Down Driver’s Power Windows	Auto Up/Down Front Passenger Power Windows
	Heated Front Seats and Illuminated Ignition	10 Way Power Adjust Driver Seat, Lumbar Support
	60/40 Split-Folding Rear Seats	Memory System for Driver Seats
	7” LCD Instrument Cluster	Auto-Dimming RVM with Home link and Compass
	7” Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Sirius XM/AM/FM/HD Radio, Blue Link, USB, and AUX Inputs	8” Touchscreen Infotainment System with navigation and all other features present in the previous trim
	Leather Wrapped Steering wheel with Steering mounted Cruise, Bluetooth, Audio Controls and Tilt and Telescopic Adjustability	Infinity Premium Audio with 8 Speakers including Center Channel and Subwoofer with Clari-Fi Music Restoration technology

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We suggest you go with base trim as it comes with a bunch of standard features such as auto climate control, door handle approach lights, heated front seats, a 7" infotainment screen with Infiniti Premium Audio system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with mounted controls for audio and cruise control. The Limited trim adds leather upholstery, an 8" infotainment screen, memory setting for driver's seat, and a wireless charging pad. 

Equipped with a 28.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Ioniq Electric is motivated by a single 118-hp permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor. Although its power output is modest, the motor provides an instantaneous 215 lb-ft of torque. The Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, that forms a part of the PHEV and the Hybrid Variant is the main driving force for the All-Electric Variant. The capacity of Li-Ion Battery is 28KWh and comes with a 6.6KW onboard charger with DC fast charging capability and SAE combo port.

Transmission duties are performed by a Single Speed Reduction gear as the powertrain is an Electric Motor. This eliminates transmission losses and delivers all the power immediately. The push-button regenerative brake level control paddles allow altering the strength of the regenerative braking system. This means you can completely switch off the regenerative braking or set it to the maximum depending on your needs.

Models	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
MSRP	$33,045	$44,450	$37,495	$30,885
Engine	Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor	Synchronous Traction Motor	Permanent magnet Drive Motor	Electric Motor
Transmission	1-speed direct drive	1-speed direct drive	1-speed direct drive	1-speed direct drive
Horsepower	118 hp	170 hp	200 hp	147 hp
Torque	218 ft-lbs	184 ft-bs	266 ft-lbs	236 ft-lbs

The IONIQ has the smallest motor in the competition but it manages to take over the BMW i3 in horsepower and torque. Chevrolet Bolt has the biggest engine amongst all the rivals and it generates a massive 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque.

Acceleration

The Ioniq feels great ideal off the line, where the electric motor makes most extreme torque, however, doesn't have as much movement on punch as you'd need. Ioniq is not known for speed and in this comparison and one shouldn't anticipate that it would perform like one of the faster cars in the segment. Acceleration is just about normal with the motor getting loud at high rpm. 

Models	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
0-60 MPH	10.2 sec	7.2 sec	6.5 sec	7.1
Quarter mile	17.8 sec	N/A	15	15.9
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	-	-	-	-

The quarter-mile and the 0-60 MPH figures of the Ioniq are just about average and comparatively slower the other alternatives in this comparison. For an added boost in performance and responses however, drivers can switch to the Sport mode wherein the responses from the motor become speedier and the throttle responses get quicker.

Ride and Handling

Hyundai has replaced the multi-link independent suspension with the twist-beam for the Electric version of the IONIQ, it may be the reason that the car rolls a bit during a corner at higher speeds. The battery is kept under the back seat but Hyundai still manages to keep the centre of gravity low, which results in better road grip and handling. The suspension is soft and the steering response is precise and quick. Similarly, as with different EVs, there's no traditional transmission outfit shifting. Acceleration is constantly instant. You can utilize the steering-wheel oars to alter the level of regenerative braking, yet even the most extreme sum isn't sufficiently forceful for genuine one-pedal driving.

The competition, on the other hand, offers a higher level of ride quality in terms of stability and feel. The Sport mode stiffens up the suspension and the ride becomes a bit more firm and sportier as compared to the normal mode. The wheelbase is the longest in this comparison that allows for greater stability around the corners and on the motorway. The eco mode is most battery saving but is slowest while driving on road if we change from normal to sport mode, we can feel the difference that comes in throttle response. The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq was designed as a daily use vehicle. It offers a composed ride quality and feels stable at city speeds. The competition, on the other hand, offers a higher level of ride quality in terms of stability and feel. 

Braking

The IONIQ takes 129 feet to come to halt from 60 MPH mark. The braking in Ioniq is quite good and the car starts to slow down in just a tap to the brake pedal. The 3-levels of regenerative braking allows you to save more battery and add up to the total travel range as well. The brake pedal is easy to modulate, and there's a seamless transition from regenerative braking to traditional friction braking. This allows the Kinetic Energy generated during braking of the car to be transferred back to the batteries which give an extra punch, as and when required.

Model	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
Brake Front (in.)	11.2	11	11	11.1
Brake Rear (in.)	11.2	11	10	11.5
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3164	2965	3563	3433
60-0 MPH (ft.)	129	NA	135	NA

What aids the cause of the 2020 Ioniq in terms of its braking performance is its low curb weight of just 3164 lbs. This bears the heft of the Electric Motors and the Lithium-Ion Polymer batteries. The Ioniq also comes with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Collision Warning System that applies the brakes in case of an imminent collision.

Hyundai touts the Ioniq as the Most Fuel Efficient Hatchback being sold down in the US and that is tall claim. The Toyota Prius has been the King of this Segment as far as these figures were considered however the Honda Insight, figured out how to oust it just barely.

Model	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
MPG (city)	150	129	128	124
MPG (highway)	122	106	110	99
MPG (combined)	136	118	119	112
Tank Capacity (gal)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

What also favors the Hyundai is the usage of Clever Technologies like Regenerative Braking that boost performance and output without consuming more gas and the light weight body. The BMW i3 and the Chevrolet Bolt however manage to come a close second but still have some ground to catch up, when compared to the Ioniq’s range.

Inside, the layout of 2020 Ioniq Electric’s cabin will continue to remain, but there will be a few minor updates. The dashboard gets as a new available 10.25-inch touchscreen, a new HVAC control layout with touch-style buttons, mood lighting featured on the 7-inch touchscreen, and blue ambient lighting throughout the lower portion of the passenger’s side and on the central part.

The cabin now gets improved touch-type control buttons that facilitate the intuitive working of heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Along with these updates, the carmaker has also updated the BlueLink app that now offers new features like remote start and stops, battery status check.

Model	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
Passenger capacity	5	4	5	5
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.1/56.1/42.2	39.6/53.6/40.5	39.7/54.6/41.6	41.2/54.3/42.1
Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.4/55.0/35.7	37.2/49.2/31.9	37.9/52.8/36.5	37.3/52.5/33.3

The seats have decent cushioning and can be controlled through the press of a button in 10 ways for the Driver’s seat. Space is adequate for the front seats, however, the rear passengers won’t be the happiest as they do feel cramped to many, especially for tall adults. The overall cabin space feels a little less as compared to what the competition offers but isn’t a deal-breaker as such. You will not have any complaints driving this car on a daily basis.

Interior Features:

• Keyless ignition and entry
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated six-way manually adjustable front seats
• 60/40-split-folding rear seatback
• SAE Combo DC fast charger
• Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Adaptive cruise control

Infotainment System

Hyundai is bullish when it comes to technology. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard in all Ioniq models. Plus, a slew of advanced driver aids are available, and Blue Link is one of the more comprehensive telematics systems available.This Hyundai is a well-loaded car in terms of the infotainment system. The UI is very intuitive to use and comes with all the bells and whistles one would expect from a car of this segment.

Interior features include :

• Bluetooth Telephony with Voice Recognition
• Android Auto and Apple Car Play connectivity
• Power Operated Driver Seat
• 7” Touchscreen Infotainment System
• AM/FM/HD/Sirius XM Radio
• Dual Auto Temperature Control
• 60/40 Split-Folding Seats
• Steering Mounted Controls
• Cruise Control and Bluetooth Connectivity
• Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror

Cargo Capacity

The Hyundai IONIQ has the class-leading storage space as it provides 23.8 cubic feet of space. The credit goes to the battery arrangement which is packed under the rear seat and requires less horizontal space. The Ioniq Hybrid has 26.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats. The plug-in hybrid and electric models have somewhat less space (23.8 cubic feet) in light of the fact that their battery packs are situated in the storage compartment. All Ioniq models have more cargo space than generally equals. In any case, the car's inclined roofline inhibits space for bigger cargo things.

Model	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	23.0	36.9	16.9	23.6The

The rear seats have the provision to be folded in a 60/40 split configuration that allows for even higher liberation of space. Thus, you do not need to pack light for the next weekend getaway. 

The front profile has received a major overhaul over the ongoing Ioniq Electric model. It gets a new distinctive pattern on the nose. The front bumper gets a fresh design with a silver-coloured moulding at the lower end, and new anthracite can also be seen on the rear bumper moulding. Daytime running light bezels front, empowering a better look of the car. The LED and taillights have been redesigned, making the IONIQ stand out among the rivals.

Model	Hyundai Ioniq Electric hatchback	BMW i3 120Ah hatchback	Chevrolet Bolt EV LT hatchback	Nissan LEAF S hatchback
Curb weight (lbs.)	3164	2965	3563	3433
Length(in)	176.0	158.3	164.0	176.4
Width(in)	71.7	69.9	69.5	70.5
Height(in)	57.1	62.9	62.8	61.4
Ground clearance (in)	5.5	N/A	N/A	5.9
Wheelbase (in)	106.3	101.2	102.4	106.3
Track width (in) F/R	61.2/61.6	61.9/62	59.1/59.1	60.6/61.2

The car overall looks like a Toyota Prius but with a higher rear end, from the side, it looks like a luxury sedan. The rear window glass is in two parts, the lower part leads to increased vision while parking. In terms of the dimensions, this car isn’t the biggest of the lot. The Ioniq offers a decent ground clearance of 5.5" and also the lightest car in this comparison. A point that we would criticize Hyundai for is the use of 15” wheels for the Ioniq which somewhat looks disproportionate for the size but contributes to better fuel efficiency. 

Exterior Features

• Active Grille Shutters
• Heated and Powered External ORVM
• Turn Indicators on Side mirrors
• Integrated Spoilers
• Automatic Headlight Control
• Projector HID Headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps
• 17” Alloy Wheels
• Powered Sunroof
• Chrome Accent Door handles

The Safety features in the 2020 Ioniq remain mostly unchanged from the 2018 Variant other than the addition of Automatic Emergency Braking as standard across both trims. That being said, this car has good standard safety ratings from IIHS.

Some of the safety features of the 2020 Ioniq include

• Lane Keep assist
• Smart Cruise Control
• Driver Attention Warning
• Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist
• Automatic High Beam Assist
• Rearview Camera
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• Driver knee, Dual Front, Side Impact and Side Curtain Airbags
• Remote Keyless Entry with Alarm
• ABS with EBD and Brake Assist
• Traction Control with ESC.

 Hyundai Ioniq vs. BMW i3

The Bimmer and the Hyundai are similar in a lot of ways and they can’t go unnoticed. The German car has a better build quality, braking performance and a long legacy behind it. The Hyundai, on the other hand, offers a higher MPG figure and more practicality. Thus, if hasslefree usage and frugality is your demand, the Ioniq is the car for you. Else, you can opt for the BMW i3 if luxury and performance are your priorities. 

Hyundai Ioniq vs. Chevrolet Bolt

The Chevrolet Bolt has one of the most powerful and responsive engines in the class, with over 200hp available on tap. The Ioniq, on the other hand, offers a far superior MPG figure and an outstanding cargo space. The Bolt is also $7,000 more expensive than the Ioniq. Hence, the Bolt is more suited for the performance enthusiasts while the Ioniq will please the more fuel-conscious drivers.

Hyundai Ioniq vs Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf was the 1^st Car in the world that showed people that EVs can compete directly with gas-powered cars. The Leaf delivers 110 miles of driving range in a full charge and offers a lot features as well. The Nissan however can’t match the practicality that the Ioniq offers. The Leaf is best suited for people, who are most willing to do in city commutes while the Ioniq will be suited for long drives owing to its range and spacious interiors and cargo.

 

The Hyundai IONIQ is fast enough for an EV and accompanies enough luxury. It is average in passenger space but leads in cargo space by a huge difference. If you prefer space over performance, they should opt for the Hyundai IONIQ electric. 

With a rapid charging feature that can charge this vehicle up to 80% in just 25 minutes and a range of 130Miles on a full charge, the Hyundai Ioniq does show that EVs aren’t boring. Hence, if you do want a car that has zero emissions and is an excellent daily commuter, the 2020 Ioniq is the car that will suit all your needs.