Hyundai Ioniq Electric: First impression

Taking another step forward in the electric cars segment, Hyundai Philippines recently launched its latest Ioniq Electric at the 2019 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). This is a fully electric model of the quite famous Ioniq Hybrid which is already on sale in our country. The electric version of this car was put up on display amongst various other models at the 2019 MIAS and it gathered a lot of attention. Here’s what we think of it.

Looks

The new Hyundai Ioniq Electric is very similar to its hybrid counterpart when it comes to looks. Hyundai has made a few changes which would help you in identifying this car. Since it’s a fully electric vehicle and doesn’t have an engine, the front grille and air intakes have been removed. Covering them up allowed Hyundai not only to make the Ioniq Electric a bit different than the hybrid model but also allowed to use the space of the engine bay as a storage area. This doesn't mean that the aerodynamic efficiency of the car has taken a toll in any manner. The overall design is still very aerodynamic in nature. The rest of the front fascia of the Ioniq Electric remains unchanged. We see a familiar headlight setup and LED daytime running lights residing in the front bumper.

Moving to the side profile, Hyundai has given a set of nice looking alloy wheels to the Ioniq Electric. The rest of the side profile remains the same and we have no complaints here as the Ioniq always looked striking. Talking about the rear end of the car, there is a very prominent silver cladding on the bumper which might not be everyone's cup of tea. The Hybrid model has a black cladding which in a way is still better looking. Let’s see how people consider Hyundai’s new style statement. Apart from that, there is a pair of same old yet attractive two-piece combination LED tail lights with a bit of black embellishment that joins them. Also, there is an integrated spoiler in the boot lid.

Interior

Hyundai Ioniq Electric specs mention more changes done on the outside of the car than inside. That’s why the cabin of the car would be a familiar place for people who have already been inside an Ioniq Hybrid. We get a nice color combination of silver and black with a touch of blue here and there. The steering wheel is quite sporty thanks to its flat bottom design. Behind it is a digital instrument console which is capable to display a handful of information to the driver. There is a large 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system situated on the dashboard. The centre console has controls for AC and others. However, there is one change in the interior of the new Ioniq Electric - there is no gear lever. Yes, that’s right. The gear lever has been replaced by push-button gear selectors.

Power source and range

This is where things get really interesting. Powering the Ioniq Electric is an electric motor which produces 120 PS of maximum power and 295 Nm of peak torque. Unlike conventional petrol-powered vehicles, there is no need to mention the rev range in which the torque kicks in because, in an electric car, all Newton-metres are available instantly.

The Ioniq Electric has got 28 kWh Li-ion batteries which are expected to provide a max range of 200 km on a single charge (as per US EPA ratings). In order to charge the car, you need to plug in its charger in one of the ports located in both the front and rear fenders.

We already liked the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid that was launched in the Philippines at the 2018 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS) and now, its fully electric version is also here. As a whole, the Ioniq Electric appears to be a good package and would be liked by people who like electric cars. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric price has been set at Php 1,868,000  whereas the hybrid model comes at a price of Php 1,548,000.

What do you think of the new Hyundai Ioniq Electric and other electric vehicles in general?