Road Beat: 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Limited - Still best basic hybrid you can buy

It has been about a year and a half since I last tested a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid, a base model stickering for just $23,210. This time around, my tester was a near top of the line limited. Essentially, they are the same vehicle except for content. But that doesn’t mean that this base unit is a stripper? It isn’t as it comes standard with power windows, mirrors, backup camera, and most everything else one could want. However, if you want NAV and power seats, you won’t find it on the base, so hence the Limited with standard NAV, leather, power/heated/memory seats (only the driver’s side is powered) and just about every safety aid (lane departure and assist, etc.).

But there is something that this base model called “Blue” had that was not found in the Limited and that is a bit more off the line performance and better fuel economy. That might be due to the extra 120 pounds the Limited weighs. But those differences are very small as the Limited now exceeds the swift passing performance of the Blue as you will see in the numbers below.

Hybrids main purpose is to achieve a better fuel economy. The Ioniq not only achieves the best fuel economy of any (non-PHEV) hybrid, it does so with high performance and the lowest price of any hybrid and it is a high content car.

Ioniq is a great looking car in its own right and the best-looking hybrid ever designed as a hybrid with strong shoulders, a sweeping roof, and window line and a slightly Kamm tail incorporated into a hatchback design. It is a small compact at 176 inches in length by 72 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase. It stands 57 inches tall. But its diminutive size is deceiving as it has the interior capacity of a large car at 123 cubic feet including 26 of those cubes in the cargo hold. EPA classifies the Ioniq as a large car. Imagine a large car at only 176 inches of length.

The first time I saw one on the road it caught my eye as a great looking ride and actually caught up to it to see what it was. I was surprised to find out that it was an Ioniq.

Nothing has changed under the hood as Ioniq is powered by a 1.6L DOHC, 16 valve, Atkinson cycle inline, long stroke (undersquare) four-cylinder engine of 104 hp at 5,700 rpm and 109 pounds of twist at 4,000 rpm coupled to a 43 hp and 125 pounds of twist electric motor all driving the front wheels through a super-efficient six-speed dual-clutch tranny. Its Lithium-ion polymer 1.56 kWh battery provides the power to the electric motor and has a lifetime warranty. Find that in another hybrid. The bottom line is a combined 139 hp from the engine and electric motor.

It is an amazing power system that propels the little Ioniq Limited from 0-60 mph in 7.86 seconds which is a full second quicker than my Ioniq Ultimate test from about two years ago. Passing tests also reveal this new-found pep with a 50-70 mph run of just 4.06 seconds and the same run up a 6-7 percent grade only taking 6.61 seconds. My prior base Blue test had respective performance numbers of 7.62, 4.33 and 6.73 seconds which reflects a significant performance improvement in the Limited. Compared to a Prius, the Ioniq is about two seconds faster to 60 mph.

While the Blue model also returned slightly better fuel economy, better than any other hybrid the Road Beat has ever tested, the Limited isn’t far behind. EPA rates the Blue at 57/59/58 mpg city/highway/combined. The Limited numbers are 55/54/55 mpg. and the Limited just about achieves those lofty numbers with a 70-mph highway fuel economy of 52.6 mpg in a two-way run. Ioniq is the first hybrid tested to basically achieve its EPA numbers. Amazing!!! It always averaged 45 mpg or better in 250 miles of testing. Zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and 45 plus mpg.
And the Ioniq feels peppy and very responsive. Helping fuel economy is the Ioniq’s ability to run pure electric at speeds of 75 mph and do so for periods of two to three miles, especially when cruising at 50-55 mph. Even with its somewhat puny 11.9-gallon fuel tank, expect cruising ranges of 600 miles with reserves. Unfortunately, car fuel tanks seem to be getting smaller.

Ioniq also has sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension, quick steering (2.66 turns lock to lock), and a tight 35-foot turning circle. It even has a standard “D” ring (shaped) steering wheel which was a delight to drive with. Standard 225/45X17 inch rubber is mounted on 17-inch alloys but with some ugly wheel covers that are dimpled like a golf ball. Maybe there is some aerodynamics connected with the dimples. But the much upgraded 17-inch alloys and 225/45 rubber make those Mario Andretti wannabes happier. It does handle well.

The ride is very quiet and smooth, especially when running pure electric, although Ioniq’s overall demeanor is so smooth sometimes it is difficult to tell.

All your basic safety acronyms are present such as ABS, VSM, TC, and more. The Limited gets excellent LED headlights and auto-dimming which is a great feature. Brakes are strong four-wheel discs (front ventilated). It also has an excellent backup camera. Blindspot monitors and lane departure steering assist are standard along with radar cruise which when operating, engages the steering assist.

Inside is a quality interior with comfortable leather seats, good rear-seat legroom and plenty of soft-touch trim. It is surprisingly nice. It has full power on the interior except for the front passenger seat.

Instrumentation even includes a bar graph tach in Sport mode which is nice for a hybrid and enabled me to report an engine speed of 2,300 rpm at 70 mph. It is also an easy way to determine when you are running pure electric as it is hard to feel otherwise. That’s how smooth the Ioniq is. The center stack is easy to use with an HVAC that has separate temp controls for driver and passenger. Nice.

Pricing is a scant (for a near-luxury hybrid) $31,000 plus $930 for the boat from Ulsan, Korea. At $23,210. Hyundai Ionic Blue is the hybrid deal on the market. At $31,930 all in, the Limited version will satisfy your need for an all the bells and whistles version at a price below any competition, if there is any. I would love to have one in my garage. Satisfying performance, great looks, fabulous fuel economy at a frugal price.

Specifications
Price $31,930

Powertrain
16 valve, DOHC direct injected inline four 104 hp @ 5,700rpm
109 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm
Electric motor 43 hp
125 lb.-ft.
Combined system hp 139 hp
Battery 1.56 kWh L-I polymer

Transmission
Six-speed dual-clutch automated manual

Configuration
Transverse mounted front-engine/front-wheel drive

Dimensions
Wheelbase 106.3 inches
Length 176.0 inches
Width 71.7 inches
Height 56.9 inches
Ground clearance 5.3 inches
Track (f/r) 61.0/61.5 inches
Steering lock to lock 2.66 turns
Turning circle 34.8 feet
Wheels 17X7 inch alloys
Tires 225/45X17
Passenger volume 96.2 cubic feet
Trunk volume 26.5 cubic feet
Weight 3,115 pounds
GVWR 4,079 pounds
Fuel capacity 11.9 gallons
Co-efficient of drag 0.24

Performance
0-60 mph 7.86 seconds
50-70 mph 4.06 seconds
50-70 mph uphill 6.61 seconds
Top speed Well into triple digits
Fuel economy EPA rated 55/54/55 city/highway/combined Expect 45-50 mpg in rural country driving and 52-54 mpg on the highway at legal speeds.