2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review

Name: 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review
Brand: Hyundai
Price: 13149 USD

Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byWill Kaufman^{Senior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax
Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at Edmunds. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.}

Pros

One of the most affordable electric vehicles
Generous cargo space in back
Packed with active driving aids and technology
Most efficient electric vehicle on the market

Cons

Rear visibility is slightly impeded by low-cut, split rear window
Acceleration lacks punch
Backseat is tight and not very comfortable

What’s new

The Electric's trim levels have been simplified to the Electric (base) and the Limited, driver aids are now standard on the Limited trim, and lane keeping assist has been added.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a tremendous value for an electric car, both in terms of cost of entry and efficiency. It also offers all the user-friendly tech we expect from Hyundai. But it falls short of class leaders in terms of comfort and driving distance.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric EV Insights

Trim:

Ioniq Electric Base

Estimated Range Based on Age

110 miles^{The range for a used 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is estimated to be 110 miles because electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year, with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 110 miles.^{Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.}

Estimated range map^{This map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Ashburn, Virginia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | Leaflet} from

Charging

4 hrs

240V Home Charging^{Estimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.}

EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.

When can I use NACS/Tesla charging stations?

Hybrid Parts Warranty

10 yrs or 100,000 miles^{Hybrid batteries are federally mandated to carry at least 8 years or 100,000 miles of warranty coverage from the manufacturer. Batteries that lose capacity more rapidly than expected should be eligible for replacement under warranty. Coverage of additional hybrid components beyond the battery itself will vary by automaker.}

According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.

Estimated battery warranty remaining is 4 years or 16,000 miles for this car.^{Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.}

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

$4,125

Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

Restrictions:
Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.

For the vehicle to qualify:
- Price cannot exceed $25,000.
- Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased.
- Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted.
- Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify:
- Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status.
- Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle.
- Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle.
- Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit
Restrictions:
Dominion Energy offers EV owners a rebate of up to $125 towards the cost of a Level 2 charging station.
To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements:
- Receive electricity from Dominion Energy.
- Have an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
- Networked/Smart charging capabilities to program the station to off-peak periods and respond to managed charging events
- You also earn a $40 e-gift card on the anniversary of your enrollment every year you remain enrolled.
To learn more, visit https://www.chargingrewards.com/faqs/dominion-ev/

See All EV incentives

Cost to Drive

$44/mo

Ioniq Electric

$157/mo

Car Avg.

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

Am I Ready for an EV?

EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) ^{This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.}
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in
^{This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.}
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn more ^{Edmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.}

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See All EV Insights

Hyundai's Ioniq Electric currently wears the crown for being the most efficient 2018 electric car. According to the EPA, it uses just 25 kWh of electricity per 100 miles driven. Some rival EVs are close behind, but the Ioniq's advantage is still something to brag to your neighbors about.

You can also brag about its affordable pricing and appealing list of features. A full suite of advanced driver safety aids is available, and the car is packed with easy-to-use technology features. It's smooth and quiet on the road, and it comes with the peace of mind of Hyundai's 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

There are some downsides. The Chevrolet Bolt has almost double the Ioniq Electric's 124-mile estimated driving range on a full battery charge, for instance. No thorns without roses and all that. Plus, the Ioniq's rear bench is a bit hard, and there's not much rear passenger room. Visibility to the sides and the rear is impeded by thick pillars and a split rear window.

Overall, we like the Ioniq, but it'll also be worth your time to compare it to other top EVs such as the BMW i3, the Chevy Bolt, the Nissan Leaf, the Tesla Model 3 and the Volkswagen e-Golf.

Notably, we picked the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric as one of Edmunds' Best Electric Cars for 2018.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Hyundai Ioniq Limited.

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

Driving

7.5

The Ioniq is not one of the torque monsters we read about in the EV news. But it doesn't weigh as much as some others, so it has enough power to be competitive in the segment. Well-rounded dynamics make the driving experience enjoyable, but a bit more steering feel would be welcome.

Acceleration

7.0

The Ioniq's rather small electric motor makes good torque when it's time to get going, and it feels peppy around town. But with only 118 horsepower, it's not destined to be fast. That said, there's enough to get this 3,200-pound EV up to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, a decent showing in this segment.

Braking

7.5

These brakes perform well in everyday situations. Not too much initial grab. Not too soft. There are three levels of brake regeneration that can be adjusted on-the-fly via paddles mounted on the back of the steering wheel. Panic stops from 60 mph took 124 feet, a tick below the class average.

Steering

7.0

The Ioniq's wheel feels light in your hands, and it doesn't transmit much cornering feedback to the driver. But that doesn't harm the car's steering precision in city maneuvers or its inherent stability when cruising straight at speed on the highway.

Handling

7.5

A low center of gravity, thanks to the battery's low position, and a surprisingly low curb weight help give the Ioniq a surprising sense of composure and liveliness. It might do better if the suspension was a little less buoyant, and there's only so much grip from its efficiency-minded tires.

Drivability

9.0

Electric vehicles never shift, so it's no wonder that there's no drivetrain shock or momentary pause as you speed up or slow down. Lift-throttle braking makes the drive even smoother, and the brake-regen paddles on the steering wheel add a little fun to the mix.

Comfort

7.5

We find the driver's seat to be comfortable and on par, if not a tick above, those of competitors. The backseats are average at best. A simple yet clever climate control system is the main standout with noise management also commendable. Ride comfort over choppier roads is the biggest negative.

Seat comfort

7.0

The shape of the driver's seat is supportive and adjustable enough that most will find a comfortable position. A tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helps. We went a good three hours before lower limbs grew wary. Its rear bench seatback is upright and quite firmly padded, and lateral support is lacking.

Ride comfort

6.5

The ride across most surfaces is smooth, even soft, and perfectly acceptable for the segment. With the rise and fall of wavy sections of road, however, there is an undesirable, almost nautical, surging. Those sensitive to such undulations should pay attention to this during the test drive.

Noise & vibration

8.5

There's no engine noise, and there isn't much wind noise either. Other sources of noise are well-controlled, and it's easy to hold normal conversations without the need for anyone to raise their voice. Pedestrians can hear an exaggerated battery hum outside the car and a dull chime in reverse.

Climate control

9.0

The single-zone climate control is easy to use. The design avoids complication by leaning on large buttons and two knobs for all controls. The knobs manage temp and fan speed and the buttons everything else. Neat onboard meter tracks the real-time impact of climate control settings on battery range.

Interior

8.0

The Ioniq's interior is highly functional. Its controls are logically arranged, and its driver's seat is adjustable enough to accommodate people of all sizes. Most will find head- and legroom suitable for short-distance comfort. Taller drivers and passengers may complain on longer drives.

Ease of use

8.0

All major controls and switches are placed where we expect and are easy to use. The infotainment system's large fixed buttons are welcome, but we're less enthusiastic about certain touchscreen buttons. Infotainment and navigation display screen is crisp, legible and resistant to sun-induced washout.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

The front doors open wide and close with an satisfying thud despite being relatively lightweight. The seat bolstering isn't particularly aggressive, so it's easy to slide in. Adults entering the back seat may need to duck because of a tall seat position and a sloping roofline. But kids won't mind.

Driving position

8.0

Most will find a comfortable driving position with minimal effort. There is a nice range of height and seat cushion adjustments, and the tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel has good range. The feel of the steering wheel grip area is terrific, but its overall flat bottom shape is also polarizing.

Roominess

7.0

Front-seat headroom is ample, even when the sunroof is present. Legroom is decent, though depending on seating position, there may not be enough to stretch on longer drives. But it's truly a snug fit for 6-footers in the backseat: headroom, toe room and kneeroom are in short supply for tall people.

Visibility

7.0

The fore- and rearmost pillars are thick and create larger blind spots. The additional vertical glass below the rear window really helps visibility directly behind. The backup camera's field of view is on the small side but has helpful turning lines. Optional adaptive xenon headlights are fantastic.

Quality

8.0

Many of its drab, gray plastics and cloth surfaces look and feel low-rent, though their actual assembly is commendably tight. And our test car exhibited no squeaks or rattles.

Utility

7.0

By design, hatchbacks offer more utility than sedans. As much can be said about the Ioniq's advantage in this area over competitive compact sedans. When it comes to other hatchbacks, the Hyundai blends in. None of its small- or large-item storage features raise it above the norm.

Small-item storage

7.0

We found plenty of space for our smaller items by using the door pockets, deep center bin and center console nooks. Our tester had the optional wireless charging slot, which was nearly the size of another cupholder. We'd probably opt for another cubby instead.

Cargo space

7.0

Hyundai lists the cargo volume at 23.8 cubic feet. We can tell you it is large enough for five carry-on-size suitcases behind the second row without impeding the driver's view over the seatbacks. The rear seats also split 60/40 and fold down nearly flat.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

In its second row, the Ioniq has four LATCH anchors (two in each outboard position) and three tethers located on the seatbacks. The anchors were difficult to access due to the seat material on our car.

Technology

8.0

Its screen may be small, but it's well-lit and is easy to use. Bluetooth pairing is dead-simple, and smartphones can be connected with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The voice controls function well but have limited scope. Advanced driver aids are only available on the highest trim as an option.

Audio & navigation

8.0

The touchscreen allows swiping and responds as quickly as competitive systems. It uses a grid layout to fit as much information as possible on its home screen. The 8-inch navigation screen is easy to read and zoom in and out on. And in our experience, the traffic alerts were accurate and timely.

Smartphone integration

8.5

Bluetooth pairing is simple and fast. This system also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ioniq includes USB and auxiliary ports and two 12-volt accessory outlets below the radio. Another USB charge point is located in the center console, as is an optional Qi-spec wireless charging shelf.

Driver aids

7.5

Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control are available, but only on the most expensive trim level. Some hybrid competitors — the 2018 Toyota Camry hybrid, specifically — are starting to include these aids across the range.

Voice control

8.0

The Ioniq supports basic commands, such as making calls and switching the audio source, natively. And we found that the system understands commands well. The availability of Siri and Google Voice commands by pressing the voice button longer makes up for any deficits the standard system may have.

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric models

The Ioniq Electric is available in just two trims: base, which comes pretty well equipped, and the more generously optioned Limited. Both trims are propelled by the same 88-kW electric motor (118 horsepower, 215 pound-feet) with a 28-kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing the energy for 124 miles of range.

If you can live without the latest high-tech driving aids, then the base trim should suit you well. Standard features include 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, a rearview camera, heated side mirrors, keyless ignition and entry, a leather-wrapped tilting-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated height-adjustable adjustable front seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seatback. You also get a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system, and an audio system with satellite radio and HD radio, and USB and auxiliary input jacks. An SAE combo DC fast charger is also included and can operate at up to 100 kilowatts.

The Limited trim comes with everything above but swaps in xenon headlights and adds power-folding side mirrors, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver seat, driver-seat memory settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a sunroof, interior ambient lighting, and rear air vents. Infotainment upgrades include wireless device charging, a larger 8-inch touchscreen with navigation, and an eight-speaker Infinity audio system.

The Limited also comes standard with active safety features and driver aids, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop-start, and lane departure warning with lane keeping assist.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric.

5 (100%)

4 (0%)

3 (0%)

2 (0%)

1 (0%)

5.0

3 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 3 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love my Ioniq electric!

Alfred, 08/19/2018

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric 4dr Hatchback (electric 1DD)

buy it thru Costco for best value. No other dealer could match the Costco designated dealer. Essentially same price as 2018 Leaf but Leaf charges for the fast on board charger for $2k and that swayed my decision to buy Hyundai. For a non-techie that I am, the lifetime battery warranty is impressive. The EPA range for this car is 124 miles but I get 152 miles when fully charged.

Spunky and versatile EV

R Dcee, 07/03/2020

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric 4dr Hatchback (electric 1DD)

Leased my 2018 brand new Calif going 2 years on Nov 2020 full charge for summer gives me 158 and winter 140. Good for my 5 days office work driving. Lifetime warranty on main battery. Very spirited off the line. Regen at lvl 3 is fantastic. AC HEATER DEFROSTER can be programmed via Hyundai website. Will definitely buy again. No problems no maintenance except tire rotation

better than average!!

frank carroll, 02/27/2018

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric 4dr Hatchback (electric 1DD)

Must test drive to feel how well the pick up is really is. Averaging 56mpg on highways doing under 79 mph

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ioniq Electric since its last redesign.

See all 3 reviews of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric

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2018 Ioniq Electric Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,500
EV Tax Credits & Rebates	$4,125 Based on income
Engine Type	Electric
EPA Electric Range	124 miles
Cost to Drive	$44/month
Total Charging Time (240V)	4 hours
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Ioniq Electric models:

Smart Cruise Control with stop/start: Detects the vehicle ahead and maintains a safe following distance. Will come to a full stop and resume cruise when accelerator is pressed.
Automatic Emergency Braking: Fully applies brakes automatically if a collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is determined to be imminent. Works between 5 and 50 mph.
Blind-Spot Detection/Cross-Traffic Alert: Detects when a vehicle is in a blind spot or approaching from the side while reversing and provides an audible and a visual alert.

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric EV Insights

Estimated Range Based on Age

Charging

Hybrid Parts Warranty

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

Cost to Drive

Am I Ready for an EV?

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which Ioniq Electric does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric models

Most helpful consumer reviews

Love my Ioniq electric!

Spunky and versatile EV

better than average!!

2018 Ioniq Electric Highlights

Safety

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