2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review

Name: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Brand: Hyundai

Price Range: $14,790 - $20,998

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Limited 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

Below Average

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Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Cameron Rogers

Pros

Excellent fuel economy
Lots of available tech features and driver aids
Large cargo area

Cons

Seats and ride are generally uncomfortable
Allows in a bit too much road noise
Unrefined braking feel and transmission shifting

What's new

Last year's optional SEL Tech package now standard on the SEL trim
Part of the first Ioniq generation introduced for 2017

Since it launched in 2017, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has been a key rival to the popular Toyota Prius. As far as fuel economy goes, the Ioniq is definitely a winner. With a potential of 58 mpg in combined city/highway driving, the Ioniq even outshines the Prius' maximum of 56 mpg. In addition, the Ioniq's interior has Hyundai's typically thoughtful design and high amount of tech, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. And for some, the Ioniq's more conventional styling compared to the Prius will be another bonus.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

11 listings

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2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
Blue 4dr Hatchback
$9,199
great price
$1,701 below market
- 125,709 miles
- 57 City / 59 Hwy MPG
- 40 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- USB Inputs
Close
Located in Stafford, VA
Features and Specs:
58 Combined MPG (57 City/59 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
KMHC65LC2KU156739
Stock:
AG1457
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
New Listing
Certified 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
SEL 4dr Hatchback
$18,695
fair price
$274 below market
- 59,599 miles
- 55 City / 54 Hwy MPG
- 15 mi away
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Fairfax, VA
Priced below KBB Fair Purchase Price! Recent Arrival! Hyundai Certified Used Vehicles Details: * Powertrain Limited Warranty: 120 Month/100,000 Mil...
Features and Specs:
55 Combined MPG (55 City/54 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
KMHC75LC2KU117730
Stock:
U502096A
Certified Pre-Owned:
Yes
Listed since:
08-07-2026

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Sounds good, right? Well, there are some issues. Mostly, the way the Ioniq drives leaves us cold. The car's unrefined ride quality, grabby brake feel and awkward transmission shifting are all turnoffs. In these aspects, the Prius still has the Ioniq beat. The quality of many of the Ioniq's interior materials is also disappointing.

Certainly, the 2019 Ioniq Hybrid is worth considering if maximum fuel economy and value are your priorities. Otherwise, we'd suggest taking a look at the new Honda Insight. It shares most of the Ioniq's strengths but improves upon them with a better ride quality, more comfortable seats and a more spacious interior.

Notably, the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a featured vehicle in our Cheapest New Cars article and we picked the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid as one of Edmunds' Best Gas Mileage Cars for 2020.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.7 / 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 Hybrid Blue (1.6L inline-4 hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic | FWD).

Scorecard

Overall	6.7 / 10
Driving	5.5
Comfort	6.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	7.0
Technology	7.5

Driving

5.5

The Ioniq's weakest area is its everyday driving demeanor. It accelerates tepidly unless you floor it, and steering is vague yet well-weighted. It's a relatively light car whose bumpy-road handling gives the impression of a heavier, blunter car. The current Prius is significantly superior in this category.

Acceleration

6.5

The Ioniq feels reluctant and sluggish around town, requiring more pedal input than expected when in default mode. Sport mode provides much more natural acceleration but sacrifices efficiency. In our testing, the Ioniq covered 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is about a second quicker than a Prius.

Braking

5.5

Pedal effort is springy and on the light side. The way it blends regenerative and friction braking feels unnatural. And under moderately heavy to full panic braking, the nose dives pretty dramatically, which can be unsettling.

Steering

5.5

The mushy on-center steering feel adds a challenge to maintaining lane position at freeway speeds. The effort is suitable at all speeds, never too light or too heavy. But it's nearly lifeless, communicating little about the road and the state of grip to the driver.

Handling

6.0

The Ioniq's handling is benign but has low limits. Its tires howl in protest even in moderately quick turns. It turns into a corner cleanly and without much hesitation. But when it encounters bumps, it reacts like a much heavier car, with exaggerated up-and-down ride motions.

Drivability

5.5

There's a distinct lack of regenerative braking when coasting so you have to be on the brake pedal more often. Shift quality, responsiveness and acceleration smoothness are inconsistent. It seems like the transmission is easily tripped up, especially immediately after hard braking.

Comfort

6.0

The Ioniq's unsupportive seats and conflicted ride quality won't win over any hearts, though its climate control interface stands out for its simplicity and innovative driver-only mode. Decent isolation from engine vibration is overshadowed by road noise, which is noticeable at all speeds.

Seat comfort

6.0

The flat-bottom seat cushion lacks lower thigh and lateral support. The backrest portion is better and the cloth upholstery feels durable, but we felt squirmy after a couple of hours. The back seat is flat, upright and quite firmly padded. Also, the front seat adjustments are manual on this trim.

Ride comfort

5.0

The Ioniq's ride is somewhat busy, and the car moves up and down in an exaggerated manner when you're driving over lumpy road sections. It's also a little floaty at times, which means it exhibits the kind of ride movements that might make sensitive types nauseated.

Noise & vibration

6.0

Road noise is transmitted into the cabin to an undesirable degree. The engine is relatively muted by comparison, though it's still audible. Engine vibration is well-isolated, and wind noise is reasonably suppressed.

Climate control

8.0

We like the simple layout with large buttons and two easy-to-use knobs for temperature. The clever driver-only setting saves energy. The Ioniq has no trouble battling summer temps and keeping the cabin cool with a minimum of fan noise. We like that dual-zone automatic climate control is standard.

Interior

7.5

Functionally, the Ioniq's interior succeeds. Its controls are laid out well, and its height-adjustable and long-travel driver's seat should accommodate people of all sizes. There's also ample head- and legroom up front. Backseat passengers don't fare nearly as well.

Ease of use

8.0

The Ioniq's placement of controls is clear and logical with lots of large buttons. The infotainment screen is high-resolution and doesn't wash out, and the menu flow is simple (no navigation). The redundant hard keys are a nice touch, too.

Getting in/getting out

7.0

The front doors are long and open wide, and the wide but low sills and minimal seat bolsters help with access. Access to the rear seat is more narrow. The narrowness, combined with the gently sloping roofline and high seat, hampers entry to a degree.

Driving position

8.0

It's easy to find a suitable driving position thanks to a wide range of adjustment in both the seat and the tilt-and-telescoping steering column. As a bonus, the steering wheel feels terrific in your hands.

Roominess

7.5

There's ample legroom and, with no sunroof, there's plenty of headroom for tall drivers. Inside the car feels airy, and the pedal box for the driver's feet is sufficiently wide. Six-footers in the back seat are somewhat cramped with limited headroom and toe room.

Visibility

7.0

The front windshield pillar bases and rearmost pillars are a bit chunky and can obstruct the view. But there's decent visibility to the back thanks to a rear window that splits above and below the hatch edge. (The bisected rear lights are an unfortunate byproduct.) The backup camera display is smallish and not especially sharp, but it's adequate.

Quality

6.0

Many of the Ioniq's drab, gray plastics and cloth surfaces look and feel low-rent, though their assembly is tight. The console bin lid and door panel creak readily when touched.

Utility

7.0

Its cargo hold is relatively basic but sizable enough to hold most everyday items you'd want to transport. Front passengers will find plenty of cabin nooks, but backseat occupants don't have nearly as many options.

Small-item storage

7.5

A tall, narrow console bin and open, narrow slot are surprisingly useful; so is the well forward of the shift selector. The door pockets are useful for water bottles only, and the glovebox is basic. The back seat has only two tiny door pockets and a net on the back of the passenger front seat.

Cargo space

7.0

The back seat is split 60/40 and folds nearly flat. The hatch opens high so tall people won't hit their heads on it, but the liftover height is on the tall side. The cargo hold measures 26.5 cubic feet and is wide, but not that tall.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

The outboard seat LATCH anchors are buried deep between the cushions and somewhat hard to reach. The top tether points are obscured by a retractable cargo shade.

Technology

7.5

The touchscreen is well-lit and responds well to touch inputs. Device integration and phone pairing are simple and support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native voice controls function well but are limited in what they can control.

Audio & navigation

7.0

The infotainment screen supports swiping gestures and responds reasonably quick, making the most of its size. The audio system has a brassy sound quality, with minimal bass. Navigation is optional, but you can navigate using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Smartphone integration

8.0

Bluetooth pairing is simple and fast, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard. There are USB and auxiliary ports and two 12-volt accessory outlets.

Voice control

7.0

Native voice recognition supports only basic commands (phone calls, switching audio source), but it responds well. In any case, that's where Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come in. You can access Siri or Google Assistant by holding the Ioniq's voice button for a few seconds.

Which Ioniq Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?

The Blue model is undoubtedly attractive because it's the least expensive and most fuel-efficient trim in the lineup. But we think it's worth paying a little more for the midlevel SEL. In addition to its extra convenience features, the SEL comes with a host of advanced safety systems designed to make the driving experience a little easier.

Compare 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid trim levels

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid models

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid comes in three trim levels. The base Blue trim is the most fuel-efficient of the group, with an EPA rating of 58 mpg combined compared to the other models' 55 mpg estimate. The SEL doesn't cost much more and includes several advanced safety features among its upgrades. Topping the Ioniq range is the loaded-up Limited.

Every Ioniq Hybrid comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. They're augmented by an electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery pack. Total system output is 139 horsepower.

Standard features on the base Blue trim include 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, selectable driving modes, a driver information display, height-adjustable front seats, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth, a USB port, and satellite and HD radio.

Stepping up to the SEL adds LED daytime running lights and taillights, heated side mirrors, an upgraded driver information display, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a charge-only USB port, a rear center armrest, and chrome interior and exterior accents. Many driving aids — including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a lane departure and mitigation system — are also included.

On top of the SEL's features, the Limited trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, xenon headlights with automatic high-beam control, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED cabin lighting and Hyundai's Blue Link telematics.

An optional Ultimate package for the Limited includes adaptive headlights, rear parking sensors, driver-seat memory settings, rear air vents, a cargo cover, wireless device charging, an Infinity eight-speaker sound system, navigation and an 8-inch touchscreen.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$82/mo

$213/mo

Avg. Compact Car

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Reliability

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #2 out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#2 out of 6 among Alternative Fuel Vehicles

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$370/yr

vs. $377/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Frequency

0.4x/yr

vs. 0.52x/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Severity

6.8%

vs. 8.3%
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 19V720000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 184
Manufactured from:: 2019-07-02 to 2019-08-01
Number of vehicles affected:: 48
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
Defect Consequence:: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 27, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Hybrid component Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

27 reviews

5(48%)

4(37%)

3(4%)

2(0%)

1(11%)

See all 27 reviews of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

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High value, High Tech, Low-medium Price

Mike, 03/28/2019

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid SEL 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

Has a smooth but by-design hybrid acceleration (which is spongy and sluggish unless you really get aggressive with the pedal). This is somewhat mitigated by the sport mode, which is an on-the-fly shift on/off while in "D" (drive gear). The cockpit is low to the ground, so you must lift yourself out of it, but not too low. Folks with back injuries might have difficulty. The tech …

Very Enjoyable Vehicle

Gorj, 05/24/2019

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

I have been wanting a more economical vehicle for several years, but did not care for the style and ride of what was offered. Then I read about the Hyundai line of Ioniq vehicles and was impressed. I did much research and talking with several Hyundai dealers and finally made a deal for a white Ioniq Limited with the Ultimate package. I have had the Ioniq for almost a month now and have …

bright blue Hyundai Ioniq

Alexander Koops, 10/21/2018

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

I just leased a brand new 2019 Hyundai Ionic Hybrid blue. It is the basic cheapest hybrid you can buy and I got the base cheapest model/version of this car. The car looks more awesome then Honda or Toyota in my opinion, and I love hatchbacks. The bright blue color is attractive and beautiful. It shifts well and is automatically in the economy mode all the time, but you can easily switch …

Mixed Feelings - on its second strike -buy a Prius

Matthew Mayne, 07/10/2020

2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid SEL 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM)

Still bitter about neither the 2019 SEL or 2020 Limited making it to 30,000 without needing major work done or stumping the technicians. Around $64,000 financed, and I have nothing but increased debt, resentment towards a once-great dealership, and a 15 year old Mazda that will probably still be running like a champ long after both those Hyundais are recycled by their subsequent buyers. … Short version: Bad: - horrid depreciation - transmission replaced at 27,000 miles - fuel injector replaced at 30,000 miles - great customer service from dealer - stuck in this car...hoping it lasts through 1) the warranty, 2) the financing Good: - comfortable, I have taken it to Florida, Wisconsin, Tennessee, the coast, the mountains, and - efficient! I had a tank of fuel where I averaged 70 mpg, and haven't had a tank average less than 50 mpg! - stylish/handsome - feels well-built/solid -well-appointed/optioned - the sound system is great, ApplePlay is nice (when it doesn't crash), the adaptive cruise control is a game changer for my commute, and the hatchback design provides ample cargo space. Background: I have owned 3 hybrids previously (2007 Prius 4, 2009 Prius 2, and 2016 Rav4 XLE), and have enjoyed them very much. The Prii were purchased used with 144,000 miles and 102,000 miles, respectively; the Rav4 was purchased new) After doing research and price shopping, I chose to purchase the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq SEL, as it was the best bang for my buck, had excellent rebates, and came with a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and a lifetime warranty on the hybrid battery. By the second service, I noticed that the transmission was not finding or holding gears well. Upon telling an advisor, I was told that those who were "uneducated" as to how a DCT works, will oft think that it is malfunctioning. By the time the 27,500 rolled around, the transmission was grinding upon deceleration to the point that a passenger accused me of grinding gears. Once again I brought this up to a service advisor, and they humored me by saying they would resurface the rotors. I told them that after they resurfaced the rotors, I would appreciate them taking the car for a test drive and decelerate from 60 to 40 mph, and tell me what they heard. After performing the test as I described, they determined that there was a problem. Unfortunately they weren't sure if it was the hybrid system or the transmission. My car was in their shop for two weeks (give or take a day), and the transmission was replaced under warranty. I requested an itemized shop bill at what the cost would have been if I had paid out of pocket, and it was over $7,000! Hyundai corporate reached out to me to ensure that I was satisfied with the service that the dealership was providing, and that I was still satisfied with my car. I was thrilled by the great service at my Hyundai dealership (Johnson Hyundai in Cary, NC), as they did their best to bridge the gap between what I was sold and what I received. Hyundai declined to offer an extension on the warranty, and after a lengthy delay in responses on their part, I received a response from corporate. Since I did not respond to them within 48 hours of the receipt of their e-mail, they deemed the case closed. This tells me that their care and concern is about as long-lasting as their product. In conclusion: I cannot in good faith recommend this car to anyone. It will have to make it to 100,000 miles without so much as a misfire for me to be able to recommend it. The car has great features and the efficiency is the best in the class, but there's a reason that Hyundai priced it so low and offered incentives. There's also a reason that there aren't very many old Hyundai vehicles on the road, and that was something I should have taken into consideration. Live and learn. Here's hoping that the little car improves with age, and I am once again satisfied with my purchase...however, so far it has merely put me on a first name basis with the service department and dealership managers.

2019 Ioniq Hybrid Features & Specs

Trim:

Blue

Est. Market Value	$13,581
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	58 MPG
Cost to Drive	$82/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	26.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Ioniq Hybrid models:

Automatic Emergency Braking: Applies the brakes automatically to avoid or lessen an impact if the onboard camera and radar sensor predict an imminent collision.
Blind-Spot Detection: Helps prevent side collisions by prompting a visual (driver-side mirror) and audible alert when a vehicle is driving alongside.
Lane Change Assist: Determines the speed of an approaching vehicle in an adjacent lane and warns if a lane change isn't safe.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good