2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review

Name: 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review
Brand: Hyundai
Price: 17998 USD

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Limited 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+110

If you're looking for a fuel-efficient commuter and errand runner, you should take a look at the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid. It offers the practicality of a hatchback plus great fuel economy of more than 50 mpg. Hyundai's strong warranty is an added bonus. But we're less enamored with the Ioniq's tepid performance and somewhat drab interior.

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2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review

byRyan ZumMallen^{Contributor
Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.}

Pros

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

Cons

Slow acceleration
Seats can get uncomfortable on long drives

What's new

Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Electronic parking brake now standard
Part of the first Ioniq generation introduced for 2017

Overview

Hyundai offers three versions of the 2021 Ioniq. There's the Ioniq Electric that's a pure electric vehicle, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid that uses a gas engine when it's needed, and the Ioniq Hybrid — no outlet required. The Hybrid admirably serves its mission of being the baseline and most affordable Ioniq. The EPA estimates it will get up to 59 mpg in combined city/highway driving, which is excellent for a hybrid. It also boasts a roomy cargo area and a pleasing number of standard features.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Blue 4dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.32 per gallon for regular unleaded in Tennessee.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Tennessee

$72/mo

$167/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The most obvious comparison facing the Ioniq Hybrid is the Toyota Prius. Both use a hatchback design to maximize both aerodynamics and utility. But there are plenty of other small hybrid options at your disposal too, including the Honda Insight, Kia Niro and Toyota Corolla Hybrid. Among this group, the Ioniq Hybrid holds its own and is worth checking out if you're shopping for a fuel-sipping hybrid. Read our Expert Rating below to get our full evaluation of its performance, comfort and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.0/10

How does the Ioniq Hybrid drive? Hyundai's Ioniq Hybrid is adequate across the board. Acceleration is slightly slower than average for this class. In our testing, the Ioniq Hybrid accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 9.6 seconds, which is below average. The Ioniq feels lethargic even with your foot on the floor.

Emergency braking performance is similarly subpar. However, the brakes work smoothly in everyday situations, and the handling and steering contribute to a somewhat lively feel when going around turns. In general, you'll have no issues with daily commuting, running errands or taking an occasional cruise.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Ioniq Hybrid? The Ioniq Hybrid is average in terms of overall comfort. The front seats provide decent cushioning and upper body support, but some drivers will wish for more lumbar support and more thigh support. The rear seats aren't particularly comfortable because of their upright backrests and firm padding.

We do like the Ioniq's ride quality, which is pleasantly smooth over most surfaces. The cabin remains quiet even at highway speeds. Unfortunately, that means you'll hear the engine working pretty hard when climbing grades. The simple single-zone climate control system works effectively.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Ioniq Hybrid's interior is functional, and passenger space is decent given its compact size. The driver's seat has enough adjustability to allow most drivers to find a comfortable driving position. Taller rear passengers will find the quarters a bit tight and will have to duck their heads to get in because of the Ioniq's sloping rear roofline.

Most controls are clearly labeled and arranged logically. But many of them are touch-sensitive buttons, which can be trickier to press than traditional buttons because it's harder to know whether your button press actually worked. Visibility is hampered somewhat by the car's front and rear pillars, but the available blind-spot monitoring system helps with the over-the-shoulder issues when switching lanes.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The Ioniq Hybrid's technology features are straightforward to use. The available 10.25-inch touchscreen has bright and crisp-looking graphics but is a little slow in responding to your touch. Bluetooth pairing is quick, and smartphones can be connected with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The voice controls work well but are basic in what they can adjust.

The premium sound system in the Limited trim produces good clarity, and 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. Only the lane keeping system was a little overly sensitive in our testing.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? Hatchbacks offer more utility than comparably sized sedans, so the Ioniq Hybrid naturally holds an advantage in this area. There's 26.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, which is a lot more than you can fit in the Honda Insight's trunk. The Toyota Prius, at 27.4 cubic feet, has slightly more cargo space.

The Ioniq Hybrid also offers plenty of storage space for small items. The door pockets are somewhat narrow, but combine them with the deep center bin and center console nooks and you've got a good amount of space for your stuff. Our Limited test car had the wireless charging pad in the front cubby, which can hold larger phones. Car seat accommodation is just OK; anchor points are clearly marked but access to them is tight.

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? In its least expensive Blue configuration, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 59 mpg combined, making it one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles around. The top-of-the-line Limited trim is slightly lower at 55 mpg combined. During Edmunds' testing, we were able to get an excellent combined average of 56 mpg. The onboard mpg meter was pretty close and indicated 55.3 mpg.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Ioniq Hybrid a good value? The Ioniq Hybrid offers solid value in this hybrid market. It may not be the cheapest model out there, but you get a lot for your money. And despite some cheap-looking interior surface plastics, the Ioniq Hybrid feels fundamentally well built.

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 hybrid 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

7.5/10

The Ioniq Hybrid doesn't have blazing speed, brisk off-the-line acceleration or even edgy styling. But it is easy to drive and friendly to operate, and the mildly refreshed design is enough to attract a second look. On top of that, you get all the value that Hyundai typically brings to the table with more standard features than before.

Which Ioniq Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?

For a strong set of standard features at the right price, the midlevel SEL trim is our pick. There are exterior enhancements to set it apart from lower-tier models, and interior upgrades to make a rather sparse cabin more comfortable. The advanced driver aids also take a step forward, making this hybrid more pleasant on long trips or in stop-and-go traffic.

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid models

The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a four-door hatchback with a hybrid powertrain, available in four trim levels: Blue, SE, SEL and Limited. All models are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a gasoline-electric hybrid system and a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 139 horsepower. Standout features include:

Blue
Starts you out with:

15-inch wheels
Keyless entry with push-button start
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
Six-way adjustable front seats

Standard driver aids on all Ioniq Hybrids include the following:

Lane keeping assist (steers the Ioniq Hybrid back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
Automatic high-beam headlights (automatically operates the high beams depending on whether approaching vehicles are detected)
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

SE
Extra niceties are added to the Ioniq Hybrid in this trim, such as:

LED daytime running lights
Heated exterior mirrors
Upgraded driver information display
Paddle shifters with regenerative braking controls
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated front seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Additional USB port in center console
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic collision warning (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

SEL
With this trim level you get an upgraded exterior look plus helpful technology:

LED headlights
17-inch alloy wheels
LED cabin lights
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Sunroof
Upgraded forward collision avoidance system
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Ioniq Hybrid and the car in front)

Limited
The top-line Ioniq Hybrid adds upscale touches to the hatchback:

Power-folding exterior mirrors
10.25-inch touchscreen (deletes the wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto)
Harman Kardon premium audio system
Integrated navigation system
Leather seats
Cargo cover
Front and rear parking sensors
Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist (combines adaptive cruise control with steering assist to help keep the Ioniq Hybrid in its lane)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid from 2008-2022.}

$370/yr

vs. $377/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.4x/yr

vs. 0.52x/yr
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

6.8%

vs. 8.3%
for Average Alternative Fuel Vehicle

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid.

5 (44%)

4 (32%)

3 (8%)

2 (6%)

1 (10%)

4.0

34 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 34 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

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 …

Amazed by my Ioniq

Murray, 06/19/2019

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

In April of 2019 I traded in my 2014 Accent GLS Hatchback 6-speed for a new Ioniq Hybrid Blue. I loved driving the Accent, but found the cargo space to be somewhat limiting at times, and this was my main reason for the "upgrade". So far, I have been very impressed with the Ioniq. The car is very comfortable, quiet, and easy to drive, and the mileage has been nothing short of amazing. …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, so we've included reviews for other years of the Ioniq Hybrid since its last redesign.

See all 34 reviews of the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

Write a vehicle review

2021 Ioniq Hybrid Highlights

Trim:

Blue

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,400
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	58 MPG
Cost to Drive	$72/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's side mirror) and audible alert when a vehicle is driving alongside.
Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go: Adjusts the car's speed to maintain a gap in traffic. Can slow to a stop and resume moving in traffic.

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

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2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Ioniq Hybrid does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

High value, High Tech, Low-medium Price

Very Enjoyable Vehicle

bright blue Hyundai Ioniq

Amazed by my Ioniq

2021 Ioniq Hybrid Highlights

Safety

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