2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric
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2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review
- Great value for an EV
- Generous cargo space in back
- Packed with active driving aids and technology
- Uses electricity very efficiently
- Back seat is tight and not very comfortable
- Limited availability
- Rear visibility is impeded by low-cut split rear window
- Driving range increases from 124 to 170 miles
- Capable of quicker charging times
- Horsepower increases from 118 to 134
- Part of the first Ioniq Electric generation introduced for 2017
As its name suggests, the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is an all-electric version of the popular Hyundai Ioniq hatchback. We think the Electric is the best of the Ioniq lineup, primarily because the gasoline engine in the other models is slow and the transmission is easily confused. Without either, the Ioniq Electric showcases the fun little car that had been hiding underneath for so long.
Now, four years after it first debuted, the Ioniq Electric is getting a few upgrades to keep pace with leaders in the EV segment. First and foremost is a larger battery pack that increases both range — from 124 miles to 170 miles — and available horsepower (now 134 hp, up from 118 hp). It also has a faster onboard charger that allows the battery to recharge from empty to 80% full in just 54 minutes with a 100-kW fast-charging station. New optional features, including a 10.25-inch touchscreen, are designed to improve the ownership experience.
The 2020 Ioniq may only be a refresh, but it is a much-needed one that pushes the Ioniq into a new tier in the EV segment. The increased range elevates it among competitors, while the larger battery pack should also improve acceleration, which we found lacking in the previous model.
Our verdict | |
The Hyundai Ioniq EV may no longer be one of the cheapest EVs on the market, but it's still a fantastic value since it comes with many of the latest safety and technology features that owners want. Cargo space is segment-leading thanks to its hatchback design, and with 170 miles of range, it will satisfy the needs of most drivers on a daily basis. | |
How does the Ioniq Electric drive? | |
For the most part, Hyundai's Ioniq EV is adequate across the board. You'll have no issues commuting, running errands, or taking an occasional cruise within range. Acceleration is slightly slower than average for this class, coming in at 8.8 seconds to get up to 60 mph. And the Ioniq doesn't stop as well as others, measuring a lengthy 136 feet from 60 mph. But it's good where it counts for a city runabout: It responds well off the line and is peppy around town; the steering is light, precise and stable at higher speeds; and overall it drives smoothly. It's not quite the athletic type, but its handling can be surprisingly fun. | |
How comfortable is the Ioniq Electric? | |
The Ioniq EV is about average in terms of overall comfort. The ride is smooth and acceptable over most surfaces, and you'll love how quiet the cabin is, with wind and road noise pretty hushed. The front seats provide decent cushioning and support with enough adjustability for most people to find a comfortable position. Rear seating is average at best. The simple single-zone climate control system proves effective and features updated touch controls. They are easy to use, but some might prefer the older interface with knobs and hard buttons. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Ioniq's interior is functional, and passenger space is pretty decent given its smaller size. The driver's seat will accommodate people of a wide size range, and as long as you're not much taller than 6 feet, the front seats will be comfortable. The rear seats are cozy but livable. The slope of the rear doors, though, means a little less head clearance for taller folks. Most controls are clearly labeled, arranged logically and operated by touch, which may be a turnoff for some people. The thick front and rear pillars obscure outward visibility a bit, but the available blind-spot monitoring system helps with the over-the-shoulder issues when switching lanes. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The Ioniq has a solid suite of technology that's straightforward to use. The upgraded 10.3-inch touchscreen is well lit, sharp and easy to use, though there's a slight lag in response time. Bluetooth pairing is quick, and smartphones can be connected with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The voice controls function well but are fairly basic in scope. The premium sound system in the Limited trim produces surprising clarity, while the navigation system is reminiscent of today's smartphones in look and feel. We like that a number of advanced safety and driver aids come standard. Most work well. The lane keeping system, which was oversensitive at times, was the exception. | |
How’s the storage? | |
By design, hatchbacks offer more utility than comparably sized sedans, and the Ioniq naturally holds an advantage in this area over some of its EV competition. With 23.0 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, it's one of the more spacious in this group. The Nissan Leaf has slightly more cargo space, but its rear seats create a sizable ledge when folding. In comparison, the Ioniq's seats fold nearly flat. Other compact vehicles in its class barely have enough small-item storage, but the Ioniq offers plenty. The door pockets are somewhat narrow, but between those, the deep center bin and center console nooks, there's good space for your stuff. Our Limited tester had the wireless charging pad in the front cubby too, which can hold larger phones. Car seat accommodation is just OK; anchor points are clearly marked but tight to access. | |
How economical is the Ioniq Electric? | |
On paper, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is one of the thriftiest EVs in its class, with an EPA rating of just 25 kWh/100 miles. We drove the Ioniq on Edmunds' EV range loop and it only used 20.8 kWh/100 miles (the lower the number, the more efficient). The Ioniq also has an EPA-estimated range of 170 miles, but in Edmunds testing we achieved a maximum of 202 miles on a single charge. | |
Is the Ioniq Electric a good value? | |
The Ioniq offers compelling value in a competitive EV class by providing a lot of standard tech and features, including smart cruise control with stop-and-go. On rivals, they're often offered as options. It may not be the cheapest, but you get a decent-size battery with good range. And despite some cheap-looking interior surface plastics, the Ioniq feels fundamentally well built. As far as charging goes, a full charge from empty takes six hours on typical 240-volt (Level 2) equipment. DC fast charging can fill the battery to 80% in as little as 54 minutes. Hyundai's warranty is best in class. It includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranties. The EV battery carries a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and complimentary maintenance is provided for three years/36,000 miles. Roadside assistance is provided for five years with no mileage limit. | |
Wildcard | |
The Ioniq won't wow with either blazing speed or edgy design. But its refreshed looks are enough to turn heads, and it now offers enough range to take the edge off more people's concerns. And you get all the value that Hyundai normally brings to the table. | |
Which Ioniq Electric does Edmunds recommend?
Thanks to its expanded list of advanced safety features, we recommend the base SE trim. If you have the budget to upgrade to the Limited, we think it's worth spending a little more to get the Hyundai Kona Electric in its Limited trim. The Kona offers more room, range and power, making it a better value proposition in our eyes.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric models
The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is an electric vehicle offered in a hatchback body style and two trims: SE and Limited.The Ioniq Electric uses a 100-kW electric motor (134 horsepower, 218 lb-ft of torque) with a 38.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Range on a full charge is an EPA-estimated 170 miles.
Save as much as $5,493 with Edmunds
2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Limited
electric DD
Edmunds Suggested Price$34,427
6 for sale in 20147
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric.
Trending topics in reviews
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Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Utilitarian, sensible and unassuming
Ditch the SUV,
SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Switched from a Mercedes ML diesel - this car is better in every way. Has the same stereo which I'm happy about... A multi speaker Harmon Kardon with sub; it is adequately peppy; it is quiet; it is comfortable; it is so easy to charge at home the supplied 120v charger is all i need to replenish my daily commute which for work occasionally includes a trip to the next town over which is 30 minutes away on the highway; range will never be an issue i don't even need the 220v at home; the Mercedes would attract attention: people have pulled up to me more than once at a red light to swear at me over nothing; this car let's me go about my life without any of that irritating human interaction... It's peace and serenity in a car.
5/5 stars, Fun to drive, zippy, and cheep to run.
Gary Blidook,
SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
Bought an new 2020, 1 year ago. Have 16.000 Kms on it. Here in BC (Canada) got back a total of $14,000 government and "Scrapit" rebates. So paid $34 K on the lower model. Lots of new stuff to learn, spent hours in the car with the book. The car has snappy acceleration and handles very well. Took it to Pelmwash way in Oyama at 6000 km and had a blast on the windy road, no oversteer no understeer won't tell you the speed but we were moving on the windy road (after midnight).
Love the 3 levels of regen, you can set the level for each of the driving modes, eco, normal and sport or you can use the paddles any time to change the level or use the "increase" paddle to bring the car to a full stop and have the car not move without holding the brake. There is also a "hold" setting for stop and go, like in a drive through, so once you stop you can let go of the brake.
So cheep to run, In the summer I was getting about 12KW /100 Km winter, 16. I figure the first 15000 Km cost me $325 for power, 15000 divided by 275 Km/charge (winter mileage), (up to 350Km in the summer) X $6 per charge (at $0.15/KW)
The car can steer itself but I felt it to choppy for me (70 years old) and uncomfortable so I turned it off.
The feature I REALLY love is the adaptive cruise control, set the speed, if the car in from slows or even stops the car will do the same, if it stops in cruise, say at a light, then you will need to initiate a start but the car will carry on with its own acceleration.
The seats are firm but hug your body nicely.
The car must have the brakes on to shift so you can't just switch to drive after backing out of the driveway without braking, can mean you didn't change gears is you aren't careful, I don't care for this feature, it could be dangerous for us old drivers.
Didn't get the phone app, so it may be different but an aftermarket fob was added so I could remote start and prewarm (cool) the car, the car will not start if it is plugged in, although I can start the car from inside while plugged in, it just wont engage a gear.
The new fob allows me to "walk away", lock the car while it is running (heating or cooling). Upon returning I must use the new fob to unlock.
Love the sporty style of this car. The back seats fold down for more storage. Backup camera is awesome (when clean).
I personally don't care for a touch screen in a car (any car) they are difficult to operate when moving if the road is bumpy at all and they are a built in distraction, requiring you to take your eyes of the road, would much rather have buttons, dials and sliders.
I have not had one second of buyers remorse with this purchase and have been waiting for over 20 years to buy a well made fully electric car. I owned a Volt previously and loved the car but hated using any gas, now I am ICE free and free of the price gouging of big oil and their cartels, my fuel money stays right here in BC.
This may not be the right vehicle for you but there are many to choose from, PLEASE hesitate no further, go and find one that works for you, you won't regret it.
I retired debt free, am no longer and I don't care.
5/5 stars, Fun Fun Fun...Driving 2020 Ioniq Electric
Stefanie T,
Limited 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
We shopped and tested a number of EVs and we're happy we decided on Ioniq EV Limited. A few bucks more but with government incentives, it was hard to resist.
This car unbelievably easy to drive around the city and highway. It's even more fun when you blow the pants off a $100K BMW. The inside controls are easy to use, just take some to get familiar. The looks really good with charcoal gray, cleans easily. It's very quiet when driving, sometimes surprises people that there is a car coming up behind them. Startled a few bikers.
Drove from Vancouver to Nelson in four charge...not bad with up and down hills and mountains along the way.
It's not the prettiest EV out there, but all about efficiency, cost and doing our part for mother nature.
I highly recommend this car for city and not to distant driving.
Signed...Happy EV driver
5/5 stars, Great driver assistance included
Mr Dave at the bakery,
Limited 4dr Hatchback (electric DD)
It has so many different features like warning you when you get too close to anything, even if you touch the line when driving down the highway. I feel very safe in this car.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Ioniq Electric safety features:
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Detects the vehicle ahead and maintains a safe following distance. Can come to a full stop and resume cruise in heavy traffic.
- Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist
- Applies brakes automatically if a collision with a vehicle or pedestrian is deemed imminent.
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Detects when a vehicle is in a blind spot or approaching from the side while reversing and provides an audible and a visual alert.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric vs. the competition
2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric
2020 Tesla Model 3
Hyundai Ioniq Electric vs. Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 isn't just a good vehicle at its price — it's one of the best electric cars, period. Its cabin is roomy, acceleration is quick and it's quite fun to drive. On the downside, the base-level Model 3 is more expensive than the top-trim Ioniq Electric, and the central touchscreen requires far too much attention to use. We bought one of the very first Model 3s. Read our long-term road test to see what we learned over three years and 24,000 miles.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric vs. Nissan Leaf
In its standard form, the Nissan Leaf is similar to the Ioniq Electric in power and range estimates, albeit at a lower price point. There's also a long-range Leaf Plus model with increased power and range. Overall, these two EVs are pretty evenly matched. If you want to learn more about a Leaf of this generation, be sure to check out our long-term road test of a range-topping 2018 Nissan Leaf SL.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric vs. Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is one of our favorite EVs. We like its quick acceleration and exceptional range. If you can afford its higher price tag, we recommend the Kona over the Ioniq. If the Kona piques your interest, you might want to know what it's like to live with. We currently have a long-term Kona electric in our long-term fleet — read more about it here.
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FAQ
Is the Hyundai Ioniq Electric a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 Ioniq Electric both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.8 out of 10. You probably care about Hyundai Ioniq Electric energy consumption, so it's important to know that the Ioniq Electric gets an EPA-estimated 133 mpg-e. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Ioniq Electric has 23.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Ioniq Electric. Learn more
What's new in the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric:
- Driving range increases from 124 to 170 miles
- Capable of quicker charging times
- Horsepower increases from 118 to 134
- Part of the first Ioniq Electric generation introduced for 2017
Is the Hyundai Ioniq Electric reliable?
To determine whether the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Ioniq Electric. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Ioniq Electric's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2020 Ioniq Electric and gave it a 7.8 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 Ioniq Electric is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric?
The least-expensive 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric is the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $33,045.
Other versions include:
- SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $33,045
- Limited 4dr Hatchback (electric DD) which starts at $38,615
What are the different models of Hyundai Ioniq Electric?
If you're interested in the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, the next question is, which Ioniq Electric model is right for you? Ioniq Electric variants include SE 4dr Hatchback (electric DD), and Limited 4dr Hatchback (electric DD). For a full list of Ioniq Electric models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more