Hyundai Ioniq EV, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid UPDATED for 2019

Hyundai has updated the Ioniq EV, Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-in for 2019 with some new styling and new technology borrowed from the Kona.

Having revealed most of the updates for the 2019 Ioniq earlier this year (see below) Hyundai is now about to actually let you buy the updated model, so they’ve sent out a big press release detailing the changes, although most of what we covered before is the same, just rather more verbose in the release.

What wasn’t obvious from the January news is that the updates also extend to making the Ioniq EV more competitive with newer models (including Hyundai’s own Kona EV), so its range improves.

That’s been achieved by upgrading the Ioniq EV’s battert from a very modest 29kWh to 38.3kWh, which equates to a range of 182 miles. Not exactly Kona EV territory, but on a par (actually a bit more) than the regular 40kWh Nissan LEAF.

The new bigger battery powers the 136PS electric motor, and there’s a 7.2kW on-board charger (up from 6.6kW), and the ability to use a 100kW Fast Charger to yield an 80 per cent charge in 54 minutes (which seems slow for a 38kWh battery).

Design and technology changes to the Ioniq EV are much the same as the hybrid and plug-in, but the EV gets a new pattern on the closed grille (image above) which is an improvement.

Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and plug-in Hybrid 2019 Updates

All the Electric Car News from Hyundai of late has been about the impressive electric Kona Crossover, so it’s easy to forget that Hyundai has been in the hybrid, plug-in and EV space for a few years now with the appealingly able Hyundai Ioniq.

Three years on from when Hyundai revealed the first details of the new Ioniq range, Hyundai has decided it’s time for an update, with some new styling and technology borrowed from the new Kona.

Cosmetic tweaks include new bumpers front and back, refreshed LED tail lights and Hyundai’s latest grille and new paint options.

Technology stuff includes Hyundai’s 10.25″ Infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, new touch screen controls for the HVAC and Hyundai’s SmartSense with front collision and avoidance and Lane Keep.

Also on offer is a ‘Green Zone Drive’ mode which senses when you’re entering a low emission zone and switches to EV mode, the Kona’s smart regenerative braking, and Eco+ mode for when you’re running out of charge. There’s also now a one-pedal driving function, like the Nissan LEAF’s e-pedal.

Hyundai may be announcing the updates to the Ioniq now (January 2019 – and there are similar updates for the Ioniq EV to come), but you won’t be able to buy one until the second half of the year.