1.6 GDI Hybrid Premium SE DCT 5dr

Very economical and good cruiser

I've only had the Ioniq a few months, but it has impressed me with its economy, and is generally painless to drive and own.

Things I like so far:

1. Fuel efficiency (averaging just under 67 mpg), I love the way the engine cuts off in traffic - and cuts back in again seamlessly.
2. The DCT auto gear box is smooth and trouble free, in both petrol and EV mode.
3. The Ioniq is a very good car to drive round town, quite easy to park. I have recorded 235mpg on a short journey, when it ran in EV for just over 2.5 miles.
4. Good infotainment (if tricky to update) and clear rear view camera help general ease of use.
5. Good over long distance - a few 200+ mile plus runs result in ever increasing efficiency (high: 74mpg). And as a long-distance tourer, this is a better car than I'd expected. It is pulling around 2,000 rpm at 70mph and is therefore reasonably refined on the highway.
6. There is very good comfort for four, providing rear occupants aren't too tall (sloping roof line)
7. Very refined when it cuts into EV mode.
8. Fixed price maintenance from Hyundai is reasonable.

Things I don't like so far:

1. The hybrid drivetrain is a bit Jekyll and Hyde. When the EV kicks in it's beautifully quiet and refined, but on start up and at low revs, the Atkinson cycle petrol engine can be a tad noisy, and IMHO holds low gear for too long at low speeds. Also the petrol engine will fire up at start up, even in reverse.
2. There is only ECO or SPORT mode, no 'normal' mode, and acceleration is sluggish in the former. However, Sport mode acts like another gear or a turbo, and really gives the car some shove.
3. You have to be very light-footed to force the car into EV mode, even on the flat, and you cannot mandate EV mode as you can in a Toyota hybrid. However, it does run in EV more than you'd expect.
4. The car is low-slung, so getting older friends and relatives into the Ioniq has resulted in some bashed heads. My previous Honda Jazz was taller and very easy to get in and out of.
5. The 440 litre boot (the main reason I bought the car) is not quite as big as the measurements suggest, due to the coupe shape. Getting taller objects in isn't as easy as my old Jazz.
6. Manoeuvring in reverse with the rear-view camera is good, but rear view mirror visibility is not great due to the split rear windscreen, which does not have a wash / wipe either.

NOTES: None of the gripes above have put me off the car at all, and I always enjoy driving it. It also looks a fair bit smarter than a comparable generation Prius, which looks like metal origami to my eye. It also seems that it will be reliable, although I haven't owned it for long enough to know yet. I've only got 13,500 on the clock and the engine seems to be getting smother and quieter as I go. Contrary to advice on the forums, I've found higher octane fuel seems to help smoothness and refinement. I'm filling up with Esso Supreme 99 of late. The last tankful gave me 530 miles. If you're an enthusiastic driver, look elsewhere. This is not a sporty car, even in Sport. However, it is a lovely smooth drive if you relax a bit.

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