The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq is ideal for people who want a hybrid or plug-in hatchback that doesn’t draw attention to itself and drives like a regular car. The hybrid’s combined EPA rating peaks at 59 mpg, and the plug-in version offers 29 miles of all-electric range. Unlike the Toyota Prius, the Hyundai Ioniq seems dead conventional, and the hybrid model is more efficient than the more economical version of the standard hybrid Prius. However, the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid offers better fuel efficiency than the Ioniq plug-in — even though the Prius offers only 25 miles of the Ioniq’s 29 all-electric range.
It has some filtering issues, but it’s comfortable and traditional enough to be confused with a non-hybrid. With an interior made from sustainable materials and a list of desirable standard features, the 2022 Ioniq is environmentally friendly and easy to use. It’s also modest, if unexciting.
The Ioniq hybrid range enters the 2022 model year with no changes at all. However, Hyundai no longer offers an all-electric version, which we reviewed separately previously. The company says its decision to abandon the electric car is mainly due to the introduction of standalone Ioniq EV models, such as the upcoming Ioniq 5. This year will reportedly be the last Ioniq model, as Hyundai will discontinue it to focus on fully electric cars and SUVs.
Motor performance in the Hyundai Ioniq
The Ioniq hybrid we tested wasn’t quick, requiring 8.9 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. Shift timing is not ideal in Eco mode; The transmission idles too long to downshift when you want to accelerate. The Ioniq hybrid’s combination of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, electric motor and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will be familiar to fans of the Ioniq and its cousin the Kia Niro. The Ioniq holds its own on winding roads, responding obediently to steering inputs and maintaining a tight grip on the road. If pushed too hard into corners, the body leans, but overall the car feels stable and efficient in most situations. A pleasant surprise is the quiet ride and comfortable highway manners. All Ioniqs have paddles on the steering wheel that you can use to adjust the level of regenerative braking, allowing drivers to approximate the one-pedal driving style that Tesla has become known for among its Cognoscenti EVs.
The base Ioniq Blue model is the most fuel efficient on the market. The Ioniq Limited we tested fell 2 mpg below its EPA estimate during testing, but it’s still one of the few cars we tested that exceeded 50 mpg. In our real-world testing, the plug-in performed nearly as well as its closest competitors in our set of highway tests, but failed to deliver on the promise of its EPA ratings.
Luxuries in the Hyundai Ioniq
The Ioniq’s cabin is comfortable and attractive even in base trims, and can be well equipped in more expensive versions. Adding to its green cred, Hyundai has sourced sustainable materials for its interior, using composites made from sugarcane and volcanic rock. While the rear seats won’t draw ire from passengers, many competitors offer more space to spread out. The Ioniq fits as much luggage as other members of its class and more than some larger competitors. Interior storage space lags behind competitors, but Hyundai has used some clever tricks to maximize the available space. The plug-in version offers four cubic feet of cargo space compared to the hybrid model. You can blame the larger battery pack for the deficit, but that shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Even base models come with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, auxiliary outlets and USB ports — great accommodations for an entry-level model. The upper trims use a 10.3-inch screen that includes a navigation system. Hyundai’s touchscreen interface is easy to use and performed well in our tests.
Safety features in the Hyundai Ioniq
Every Ioniq comes standard with a host of driver-assistance features, while upper trim levels include more active safety equipment such as the ability to detect pedestrians in the vehicle’s path. For more information about the Ioniq’s crash test results, visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Key safety features include:
Standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency brakingStandard forward collision warning and lane keeping assist
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are available
Hyundai Ioniq price
The price of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE dual-motor – all-wheel drive starts at $48,375. The price of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL, single-engine, rear-wheel drive, starts at $47,125. The price of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL 2022 dual-motor – four-wheel drive starts from 50,625 US dollars.
