The Hyundai Ioniq – The cheapest electric car

Full details of the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq have finally been released. I recently reviewed the hybrid variant, but as I mentioned it will also be joined by a plug-in hybrid and fully electric version. Well the headline act is the fact that the EV version will start from $44,990, the cheapest EV car to date on sale in Australia.

It may be the most affordable, but the so-called real-world range will be just 230km. However, it can be charged to 80 per cent in around 23 minutes. The plug-in version is priced from $40,990 and can travel in EV mode for up to 63 kilometres, which most people would then top up overnight via charging. That will require a $1995 charging station and restore the battery to full in about four and a half hours.

You also have the option of plugging into a normal power point but getting those 63 kilometres back would take half a day. Claimed fuel economy is just 1.1L/100km, depending on how many kms you travel each day of course, I’d be back on petrol power pretty quickly.

At the start of the range sits the hybrid model I tested. Prices begin at $33,990. Each Hyundai Ioniq is offered in Elite and Premium trim levels. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety systems are standard across the range.

Hyundai Australia boss Mr JW Lee said, “2019 IONIQ makes responsive and eco-friendly electrified driving accessible to a wide range of customers, in an attractive and user-friendly compact package featuring comprehensive standard safety and locally tuned comfort and chassis dynamics, with the peace of mind of our five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and Lifetime Service Plan.”