2017 Hyundai Ioniq Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
What's New for 2017
2017 is the first year the Hyundai Ioniq is available in the United States. Two models are currently available: a hybrid and an electric. A plug-in hybrid will be released in the fall of 2017. Built on a Kia Niro base, the Ioniq eschews its crossover roots and instead takes the form of an eye-pleasing sedan.
Top Ten Reasons to Buy a 2017 Hyundai Ioniq - The Pros
1. Pick Your Own Eco-Friendly Flavor
The Ioniq makes it easy for consumers to choose the right type of hybrid or electric vehicle for their personal needs. Those with hectic, spontaneous schedules can select the hybrid version, while those who want to maximize efficiency and have reliable access to a charging station can opt for the full electric model. The plug-in hybrid variant will be arriving in late 2017, providing a third option for drivers who desire a middle ground.
2. The Best MPG in the U.S.
The EPA has awarded the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric the top spot on its list of vehicles with the best fuel economy. Clocking in at 136 mpg-e, the Ioniq Electric beats all other vehicles across all years, makes, models and fuel types. The Hybrid version is rated at 58 combined mpg, besting all other hybrids from the 2017 model year.
3. Overcoming the Low-Power Stereotype
Most hybrid vehicles have a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Complaints of these transmissions providing low acceleration have prompted many consumers to avoid hybrids in favor of more powerful gas vehicles. The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid uses a dual-clutch transmission instead of a CVT. The transmission has two modes: Sport Mode for optimal power and Eco Mode for maximum fuel economy. The Plug-In variety will also feature the dual-clutch transmission.
4. Innovative Safety Features
Safety is tantamount in any vehicle, and Hyundai has not limited its new technologies to fuel economy. The 2017 Ioniq has several innovative safety features available. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection can identify pedestrians, vehicles and other objects entering the vehicle's path. When it does, it applies braking automatically to avoid a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Alert makes reversing much safer by detecting approaching vehicles in blind spots along the sides of the car. When the vehicle is drifting out of its lane without a turn signal, the driver is alerted by the Lane Departure Warning system.
5. Seamless Smartphone Integration
The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. These features allow any smartphone running iOS or Android to connect directly to the car, providing easy access to navigation, music and more via the Ioniq's dashboard touchscreen. Voice recognition provides hands-free control of maps, phone calls, texting and music. A wireless charging station is built into the center console to keep compatible devices powered without fumbling for power cables. Hyundai's BlueLink smartphone app allows Ioniq owners to control the car's locks, lights, ignition and climate remotely.
6. Integrated Memory System Remembers Driver Preferences
Drivers who share their vehicle with others no longer have to go through the hassle of adjusting seats and mirrors after someone else has driven. Hyundai's optional Integrated Memory System allows each Ioniq driver to program their own seat and mirror preferences, which can then be chosen with the press of a button.
7. Environmentally Friendly Interior
Hyundai's eco-consciousness doesn't end at fuel economy. The comfortable interior of the 2017 Ioniq is made with sustainable and recycled materials. 25% of the door paneling is made of sustainably-harvested sugarcane. Recycled plastics and eco-friendly fabrics comprise much of the carpet and headliner.
8. Attractive, Understated Design
Other hybrid vehicles have loud, attention-grabbing exterior stylings. For consumers who prefer a simpler appearance, the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq delivers. Attractive but not ostentatious, the design still sports several edgy features, namely the sharply-angled headlights and bold grille. The understated rear shaping provides major drag reduction, further optimizing fuel economy.
9. Lightweight Battery, Guaranteed for Life
Other hybrids use hefty lead-acid batteries that are expensive to replace when they fail. The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq opts instead for a lithium-ion battery that's 26 pounds lighter than the equivalent lead-acid battery. Hyundai also backs its batteries for life. Should the battery completely fail, Hyundai will replace it at any time (with exceptions for commercial-use vehicles).
10. Plenty of Cargo and Passenger Space
The foldable rear seats of the 2017 Ioniq are split 60/40, allowing many potential combinations of cargo and passengers. It's bigger than it looks, with 26.5 cubic feet of cargo space (with rear seats up) and a hatchback for easy loading and unloading.
Reasons you may not want to buy a 2017 Hyundai Ioniq - The Cons
1. Lower Electric Range than Other EVs
The new Ioniq has a range of 124 miles on a full battery charge. This is much lower than the range achievable with other electric vehicles, which can exceed 200 miles per charge. Those who frequently make longer trips in their vehicle may find that the Ioniq does not offer enough miles per charge to meet their needs.
2. Fewer Standard Safety Features than Competition
Though Hyundai's optional safety features are top-of-the-line, other hybrids and EVs on the market come with more standard features. The budget-minded buyer will find more bang for their buck on base models from other companies, such as the Toyota Prius, which features a standard Vehicle Proximity System similar to Hyundai's optional Pedestrian Detection System.
3. No Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking is a very desirable feature for hybrid and electric vehicles. It allows brake heat to be captured and converted back into energy for the car while simultaneously prolonging brake life. Other hybrids and EVs allow this with special braking modes, but the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq offers no such capability.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition
The 2017 Hyundai Ioniq lacks the standard safety features of the Toyota Prius and the 200+ mile range of the Chevy Bolt EV, but makes up for these deficits with a sporty, responsive transmission and a feature-rich interior. Fuel economy for both the hybrid and electric models is unsurpassed by any other model, past or present. The 2017 Ioniq hybrid base model is more affordable than any other 2017 four-door hybrid.
Conclusion
Packed with convenient technology, eco-friendly materials and innovative components, the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and Electric models show great promise for Hyundai's green future. A lifetime battery warranty and a very affordable base price give it an edge over other vehicles in its class. New hybrid drivers won't be turned off by a lack of power as they would with other hybrids. Sharp, sporty and sustainable, the 2017 Ioniq is the obvious choice for consumers in search of an eco- and budget-friendly vehicle.
