2020 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid Road Test and Review

2020 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid ・ Photo by Nicole Wakelin

The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq is available in three versions. There’s a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and a fully electric Ioniq. While traditional hybrids are an easy first step toward going electric, not everyone is ready to go all-in with a fully electric vehicle. It’s a big change. For those who want to go further than a hybrid, but aren’t quite ready for an EV, there are plug-in hybrids.

These still have a gas tank and engine, but they also have a battery and can be plugged in for charging. Think of it as the happy medium that lets you get used to the idea of plugging in your car at night while still having the backup of a gas engine when the battery runs dry. Let’s take a closer look at the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid to see if it’s the right choice for you.

A Choice of Three Trim Levels

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is available in a choice of three trim levels. The base SE starts at $26,500 with dual automatic temperature control, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, cloth seating surfaces, and heated front seats. It also has an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SEL is priced from $29,500 and adds a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with Homelink, and wireless smartphone charging.

At the top of the lineup is the Limited with a starting price of $32,950. It adds rear-seat HVAC vents, leather upholstery, driver’s seat memory, premium door sill plates, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with navigation, ambient interior lighting, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The Limited also boasts additional advanced safety features including forward and reverse parking sensors and highway driving assist.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Solid Performance and Impressive Fuel Economy

Power for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That’s the gas side of the equation anyway. There’s also a motor and an 8.9 kWh battery for the plug-in side. They have 139 combined system horsepower. That’s not a huge number, but this isn’t exactly a large vehicle. It’s quick off the line, with ample acceleration to get you up to highway speeds without worrying about being able to merge with traffic. Extra power is there when you need it for passing, and it does so quietly without undue noise.

One of the big reasons for buying a plug-in hybrid is fuel economy and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid does not disappoint. It gets an EPA-estimated 119 MPGe combined gas and electric or 52 mpg gas only. That makes fueling your car an affordable proposition no matter the price of gas.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

How fast does it charge?

One of the reservations people have with an electric vehicle is charging time. You can gas up in a matter of minutes, but it takes longer to charge a battery. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers the best of both worlds. You can always stop and gas up if you don’t have time to wait for the battery to charge or if you’re on a longer road trip. That gas engine is always there for you just like normal.

When you do have time to charge the battery, it charges fully at a Level Two charger in 2 hours and 15 minutes. That’s easily accomplished overnight or while you’re at work. It will give you 29 miles of all-electric driving range. There’s also regenerative braking that will add to your overall range every time you use the brakes. The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid charges quickly so you can get moving.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Comfortable Interior With Room for Five Passengers

The Hyundai Ioniq has seating for up to five passengers in a comfortable interior. Front seats are roomy and supportive but those in back will find things snug. There’s plenty of shoulder room for two, three for brief drives, but headroom is short. Put your tallest friends up front and reserve the rear seats for shorter folks or kids.

Standard features including dual automatic temperature control, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob ensure even the base trim is a pleasant experience for passengers. Stepping up to the SEL adds a 10-way power driver’s seat while the Limited adds leather seating surfaces for a more premium feel. Though not luxurious, the interior of the Hyundai Ioniq is comfortable and well-appointed despite being short on headroom for those sitting in the rear seats.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Smooth Ride and Relaxed Handling

The Ioniq has a smooth ride that lets the driver and passengers relax. Harsh and uneven road surfaces are nicely muted by the suspension system, and all but the largest of potholes will go unnoticed. Road and wind noise are unobtrusive and sounds outside the Ioniq, like trucks passing on a busy highway, are kept firmly outside rather than intruding into the cabin space. The Ioniq is also quiet under hard acceleration.

Handling is relaxed and won’t tax the driver on longer trips. It’s an easygoing proposition driving the Ioniq, but those who like a sportier drive feel will be disappointed. This is not a performance car, and you won’t mistake it for one behind the wheel. Instead, it’s more about taking it easy and enjoying the ride. While not sporty, it manages high-speed maneuvers will without feeling uncontrolled or sloppy.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

More Cargo Room Than Expected

The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq has a surprisingly large amount of cargo room for a small car. A large part of its cargo versatility comes from the fact that it’s a hatchback. You’re not limited to the rather square dimensions of a sedan trunk and instead have a little extra height, which means large and awkwardly shaped items can still fit.

There’s 23 cubic feet for cargo in the Ioniq, making easy work of the family’s luggage. There are also 60/40 split-folding rear seats that give the Ioniq extra versatility. When there’s not a full load of passengers or when there’s only one person in the rear seats, flip down the empty seat and longer items can slide on through into the passenger compartment. The Ioniq might look small, but it’s up for carrying plenty of cargo.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Excellent Infotainment Comes Standard

Infotainment in the Ioniq features a wide range of features to keep you connected and informed when you’re on the go. These include a standard 8-inch touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s AM/FM/HD Radio, a USB charging port in the center console, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM. The system is intuitive and easy to use and the large screen, rather than the small screen often found on base trims, makes viewing information less distracting. There’s also Blue Link with both Connected Care and Remote Package with three-year complimentary subscriptions.

A more fully featured system becomes standard on the top Limited trim. It adds a Guidance Package to Blue Link, wireless device charging, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system for a richer audio experience. The infotainment system in the Ioniq will keep you connected without distraction.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Strong Safety

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has not yet been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It has, however, been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and received its top rating of Good in all crash tests.

Adding to its solid crash test ratings is a wide range of standard and available safety features. Standard features include forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, a driver attention warning, and high beam assist. The SEL adds blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert, while the top Limited trim adds highway driving assist, and front and rear parking sensors. While there are some features found only on the top trims, Hyundai made sure to equip even the base model with key safety technologies.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq is available in three electrified variants to suit a variety of comfort levels. The traditional hybrid and full electric represent the ends of the spectrum while the plug-in hybrid sits comfortably in the middle. It offers a taste of the plug-in life along with the security of a gas engine. It also has great fuel economy so those on a budget will appreciate the savings of plugging in rather than gassing up.

It has a comfortable interior that easily seats five adults, although rear headroom is short, and handles a surprising amount of cargo despite its smaller dimensions. The Ioniq is pleasant to drive with a smooth ride and relaxed handling that make it ideal for longer road trips. With pricing starting at an affordable $26,500, the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is a compelling choice for those looking to make the move to electrfication.

Photo by Nicole Wakelin