Should you buy one?

We like the Hyundai Ioniq, but it does somewhat fade into the shadows when compared with the angular Toyota Prius or the on-trend SUV-styled Kia Niro. However, the Hyundai is a good-value alternative to the established opposition and is inoffensive to look at – which isn’t a given with eco cars. All versions deliver reasonable performance and relaxed cruising, and aside from the interesting dashboard display, you’ll be hard pushed to tell you’re driving an unconventional car. There’s bags of equipment, a great warranty and decent interior room, too.

The Hybrid will suit those who either don’t want the faff of recharging a car or simply want an eco-conscious vehicle that will slot straight into their lives. For those not ready to take the full EV plunge, the Plug-in version offers the best of both worlds, with an admittedly reduced range, but the option to extend your journey easily using the petrol engine. While we’ve covered it elsewhere, it’s worth pointing out the value and decent range of the Ioniq Electric means it’ll be a realistic choice for more drivers than you’d imagine, while the tax breaks for company car users mean it has a clear advantage over its ICE counterparts here.

What we like

The Ioniq is comfortable, well equipped and has a reasonable amount of space. If you simply need family transport to get you from one destination to another with the minimum of fuss – and perfect reliability – then you can’t go wrong.

What we don’t like

The plug-in hybrid model will only make sense if you charge it religiously to reap the benefits of its short electric range, otherwise fuel economy will be worse than it is for the Hybrid. While the Ioniq will be reliable and economical, the Toyota Prius will be even more frugal and just as trustworthy, while also being better to drive.

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