Available starting in 2017, the Hyundai IONIQ line was Hyundai’s first foray into electric vehicles (EVs) with the lineup including traditional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. Hyundai IONIQ Plug-in models provided an excellent 29 miles of all electric range that was perfect for the average American’s commute while the IONIQ Electric was one of the most efficient EVs available at its launch in 2017, netting an EPA combined 136 MPGe.

A part of the first wave of widely available EVs, the electric model competed with similar models in the BMW i3, Nissan LEAF and VW e-Golf while the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) went toe-to-toe with the Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Toyota Prius Prime. While the IONIQ line was discontinued in 2022, the names lives on as the Ioniq sub-brand and that includes the IONIQ Electric’s spiritual successor, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Drivers have two options of IONIQ models to choose from: The IONIQ Plug-in and IONIQ Electric, both taking advantage of lithium-ion batteries in different drivetrains. Drivers opting for the IONIQ Plug-in receive a 1.6 liter inline-four and 8.9 kWh battery while fans of full EVs get different battery sizes depending on the model year: 2017-2019 models take advantage of a 28 kWh battery while models through 2022 got upgraded to a 38.3 kWh battery. Regardless of IONIQ model, all are powered at the front-wheels.

Both IONIQ models utilize a standard SAE J1772 port for Level 2 charging while the electric models gets the added bonus of DC fast charging. While having relatively small batteries by current standards, the IONIQ’s extreme efficiency gives it more than adequate all electric range for most driver’s daily commute. The Plug-in’s 8.9 kWh battery provides 29 miles of range while the electric models provide up to 170 miles in the 2019 refresh. Early adopters got 124 miles of EPA-certified range that was easily achievable in real world tests. To keep their batteries full, the IONIQ Plug-in can be charged at 3.3 kW while IONIQ Electric models up to 2019 utilized 6.6 kW, increasing to 7.2 kW for model years up to 2021. A Level 2 charger like the JuiceBox 32 can experience convenient smart home charging at any IONIQ’s max charging speeds.