What's New
- The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq is primarily a carryover from the 2020 model year.
- The 2021 Ioniq Electric gets a new Amazon Gray paint color.
Pros & Cons
- Long Hyundai warranty
- Plenty of standard safety and convenience tech
- Environmentally friendly interior materials and construction
- Uninspired acceleration for an EV
- Limited U.S. availability
- Not as roomy in the back seat as some competitors
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Overview
Hyundai is gearing up to spin the Ioniq off into its own brand of electric vehicles (starting with the futuristic Ioniq 5 electric crossover), but in the meantime, the existing Ioniq lineup includes a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric versions. All three of the Ioniq variants are four-door compact cars with a hatchback. The Ioniq Electric, whose days are likely numbered in Hyundai’s new-world business plan, only exchanges one gray color for another in the new model year.
The Ioniq EV has a 38.3 kWh battery pack and an electric motor that makes 134 horsepower. It can travel up to 170 miles on a single charge. The range will satisfy most commutes (the U.S. average is less than 40 miles per day), especially when there’s an accessible charging option. The battery also can reach 80% capacity when hooked up to a 100-Kw fast-charging station in 54 minutes.
The Ioniq line has done reasonably well for Hyundai, at least in the U.S. The automaker’s best sales year with the car was 2019, when it moved almost 20,000 units. Sales in 2020 were softer, at just over 13,500. Competition in the Ioniq’s segment is heating up, however, as the number of electric vehicles of all types continues to grow rapidly. The Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt, Hyundai Kona Electric and more all vying for attention from EV buyers.
Trim Specifications
Hyundai offers the 2021 Ioniq in two trims: the base SE and the Limited. Both models are equipped with forward collision alerts, lane following assist, smart cruise control with stop and go, a driver attention warning system, high beam assist, traction control, brake assist and a remote keyless entry system with an alarm.
The SE trim has a starting price of $33,245 and has an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility as well as cloth upholstery, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated side mirrors, LED daytime running lights, door handle approach lights, automatic headlights, 16-inch wheels, automatic temperature controls.
The top-of-the-line Limited trim starts at $38,815 and gets a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, ambient interior lighting, a wireless smartphone charger, a Harman Kardon eight-speaker premium audio with a subwoofer. Other upgrades include leather upholstery, folding side mirrors, a power sunroof, rear-seat air vents and a cargo cover. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts and highway driving assist are added to the list of standard safety tech.
Both models are subject to a $1,005 destination fee.
Warranty
5 Years/60,000 Miles
10 Years/100,000 Miles
7 Years/Unlimited Miles
5 Years/Unlimited Miles
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Specs & Safety
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Specification
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Safety
NHTSA: Not Rated