2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited

2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited

An Automotive Love Affair
By Joe Mavilia

Overview:

This is the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Limited. Boy, does “Limited” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to ‘all electric’. A year ago, I reviewed the Ioniq plug in Hybrid. Fuel economy is great on that and it has an engine to boot. That is a ‘big’ or BIG difference.

Commercials are hot and heavy recently pushing Electric Vehicles and I can’t help but take exception to this mode of propulsion.

Example to consider regarding “All Electric”: I travel 50 miles one way. I begin with a full charge of 136 miles. I get to my destination with 76 miles remaining. Because the journey was uphill it uses much more juice than downhill or level ground. It takes 12 hours to get back to near full charge. When I travel downhill to the office 50 miles away battery miles will be less than actual miles traveled, thus it took only 41 battery miles to go 50 actual miles. But now it will require all day charging just to get enough charge to get back home.

Contrast that with: If I live under 20 miles from work I can be assured to get there and back easily, and I don’t even need a recharge facility at my job, unless I must buzz around during the day, then I may need some charge time. I return home plug in, which will require all night to get back to full charge.

SO – a little old lady from Pasadena who drives very few miles MAY be able to adjust to the all-electric option.

General Information:

It is assembled in- Ulsan, Korea; Parts- US/Canadian 1%, Korea 9%, Japan 1%; Engine and transmission- Korea; Classification is- Midsize Cars; Cars from Hyundai- Accent, Azera, Elantra, Elantra GT, Ioniq Hybrid, Ioniq Electric, Santa Fe, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, Tucson and Veloster.

Handling & Performance:

Good acceleration but it will drain the battery very quickly. In my youth we’d burn the tires off, just because we could. But there was a gas station on every corner to refuel in a matter of minutes. With All Electric I become very conservative and so gun shy about running out of charge I felt I’d better turn off anything that consumes power. That means, no A/C on a 95-degree day, no navigation system and I even turned off the radio.

In all fairness, however, I was able to make the 53-mile trip, uphill both ways, in the snow and return home. No joke (except the both ways and snow). That wasn’t the case the last time I tested an All Electric car. That car promised a range of 95-miles, but it barely made the 53-mile trip with only 4 miles on the charge meter remaining. I was not a happy camper.

The performance good news is that the cost for a full charge is said to be between $2.40 and $4. Ok, I’ll accept that, but it does not consider there are hybrids that will deliver 100 miles for about the same money. So, I’m not convinced (for most people’s use) the inconvenience of plugging in everywhere you stop is going to appeal to very many.

Styling:

Very Hyundai and that is a very good thing.

Fit and Finish:

Very good job on the seams.

Cost:

More money than I (personally) could justify paying for an all-electric car. “MY” driving needs is many miles and instant need, and I want to go without major planning on where I’ll run out of charge. When I feel like taking a trip I want to go to the gas station, fill up and GO. Ain’t happening with All-Electric.

Conveniences and comfort:

This Ioniq is well equipped and I even got brave enough to turn on the radio and Air Conditioning, both at the same time. It simply is not convenient to have to figure out how far I can drive before stopping to recharge.

Consumer Recommendations:

Consider your driving habits and if it allows for travel of no more than 50 miles out, you should feel comfortable being able to return home without a long stop to recharge. If you go 75 miles you won’t make it back without staying the night with a minimum of 8 hours charge time.

Final recommendation: DO NOT INVEST MONEY IN TESLA. Remember why I say that? I’ll repeat it: 1903 Electric cars had a range of 100 miles. Let’s see, 1903 to 2018 is 115 YEARS with no significant breakthroughs in battery technology. Look for my upcoming review of a Hydrogen powered car. The first time I reviewed a hydrogen car was the GM Hy-Wire in 2002 and was impressed. 16 years later they still haven’t solved all the problems. BUT, a good indication they will come on strong is that when I tested a Hydrogen Hyundai about 5 years ago there were 9 hydrogen fueling stations in all of California. Today there are over 35.

Recognized Competition:

Good News:

Economical commuter for short distance commutes.

Bad News:

All Electric is a very limiting factor. Expensive small car, Huge recharge times – 24 hours to full charge and not a practical road car.

Range:

136 City and Highway MPCharge

Pricing:

MSRP $36,000.