Hyundai’s Ioniq line-up continues to improve its product offering for the 2019 model year, with new and broader applications of active safety features, enhanced voice-recognition features and standard remote charge management for Plug-in and Electric models.
Hyundai’s approach for the Ioniq line delivers an uncompromising design and driving experience coupled with the latest in safety and convenience technologies, making it an appealing choice for a wide range of buyers. 2019 Ioniq models will be available at Hyundai dealerships this summer.
Active And Passive Safety Features
Ioniq’s light-yet-rigid body is the result of advanced design, construction methods and materials. Featuring Advanced High Strength Steel, the chassis benefits from superior rigidity for responsive handling and safety, with high impact-energy absorption and minimized cabin distortion to protect passengers in the event of a collision. This rigid structure also leverages 476 feet of advanced structural adhesives in its design, simultaneously yielding both lightweighting and rigidity benefits.
For 2019, Ioniq adds Driver Attention Alert and High Beam Assist to its available safety features. Further, Ioniq offers the very latest in advanced safety, including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist function, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, for high levels of both active and passive vehicle safety. Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert help to warn the driver of surrounding vehicles that could lead to a collision. Lane Keeping Assist sounds an alarm as the car moves over lane lines if the driver did not signal for an intended lane change and helps keep drivers in their intended lane with small steering corrections. Additional safety features include rear parking sensors and headlights with Dynamic Bending Light (DBL).
The Ioniq is also available with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, an advanced active safety feature that helps alert drivers to potential emergency situations, including braking automatically. For 2019, AEB is standard for the high-volume SEL trim, making this enhanced safety feature even more accessible to Ioniq buyers. With sensor-fusion technology that utilizes the front radar and camera sensors, AEB operates in three stages. Initially warning the driver visually and acoustically, it can modulate braking force according to the collision danger stage, applying braking before an imminent collision.
A Tire Pressure Monitoring System also helps ensure each individual tire is properly inflated. A total of seven airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver, help protect the vehicle’s occupants in the event of a collision. Body structure improvements, complemented by a high-strength fiber-reinforced rear bumper fascia make the entire Ioniq line-up strong and durable in the event of a crash.
Blue Link
For 2019, Ioniq models equipped with Blue Link offer complimentary three-year Blue Link services, with enhanced safety, diagnostic, remote and guidance services. Blue Link brings connectivity directly into the car with technologies like Remote Start with Climate Control, Destination Search by Voice, Remote Door Lock/Unlock, Car Finder, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. Blue Link features can be accessed via buttons on the rearview mirror, the MyHyundai.com web portal, via the Blue Link smartphone app and now through the Amazon Alexa Blue Link skill and Google Assistant. Some features can also be controlled via Android Wear and Apple Watch smartwatch apps.
Owners of Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid and Electric will also be able manage and monitor their car’s charging schedule remotely via the Blue Link smartphone app or simply ask Alexa or Google to start and stop charging as needed. This capability to schedule charging is ideal for individuals that experience lower electricity rates during off-peak hours, offering a high level of both convenience and cost efficiency.
The latest release of the Blue Link smartphone app includes: widgets for easy access to remote features, including an Ioniq Electric-specific widget, additional status indicators for trunk and hood open/closed, access to Blue Link notification settings and access to the Hyundai accessories website.
Powertrain choice
The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid powertrain combines the best of the Electric and Hybrid powertrains without typical eco powertrain compromises. The Plug-in Hybrid features a Kappa 1.6L direct-injected Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with an unsurpassed thermal efficiency of 40 percent and delivers an estimated 104 horsepower and an estimated 109 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine has been specifically tailored to the hybrid application and is combined with a quick-shifting six-speed dual-clutch transmission, differentiating Ioniq from its key competitors with a more dynamic and engaging driving experience.
The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid’s 44.5 kW (60 horsepower) electric motor is coupled with a 1.6-liter direct-injected Atkinson four-cylinder Kappa engine. The high-efficiency electric motor can operate at speeds up to 75 MPH and delivers instantaneous torque at low speeds, with available power-assist at higher vehicle speeds.
The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid both features a six-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which boasts best-in-class transfer efficiency through the use of low-friction bearings and low-viscosity transmission oil, and is able to achieve a unique mix of driving performance and fuel efficiency for a spirited and fun-to-drive character. This is an important differentiator from the majority of other Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid cars that use Continuously Variable Transmissions, often criticized as having ‘rubber-band-like’ acceleration.
Enhancing the car’s fuel efficiency and dynamic driving characteristics, the driver can select either SPORT or ECO modes. The SPORT function holds lower gears longer and combines power from the engine and electric motor for maximum performance. Also in SPORT mode, the gasoline engine remains on and the electric motor acts as a power assist for maximum responsiveness. In ECO mode, the DCT optimizes gear selection for efficiency, upshifting earlier to achieve class-leading fuel economy. Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid has steering-wheel paddle shifters for an even more engaging driving experience.
The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid provides an estimated all-electric range of 29 miles, 119 MPGe in EV mode and 52 MPG in hybrid mode, powered by a potent 8.9 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery.
The Ioniq Electric has an estimated 136 MPGe rating, the highest efficiency rating of any electric vehicle sold in the U.S. market. The Ioniq Electric offers pure electric mobility with a 28.0 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery for an estimated driving range of 124 miles. The electric motor has a maximum output of 88 kW (118 horsepower) and 218 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a single-speed reduction-gear transmission.
All Ioniq Electric models are equipped with standard Level-3 DC fast-charging capability. Charging the Ioniq Electric’s lithium-ion polymer battery up to 80 percent only takes about 23 minutes using a SAE Combo Level-3 DC, 100 kW fast-charger. An integrated In-Cable Control Box (ICCB) also allows drivers to charge their Ioniq Electric and Plug-in Hybrid using a standard household electric socket when necessary.
ChargePoint
Hyundai is also working with ChargePoint to further enhance the Ioniq Electric and Plug-in Hybrid ownership experience. ChargePoint has the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network with more than 32,000 locations at which to charge, including more than 400 Express DC fast-charging sites. ChargePoint locations are rapidly expanding, with customer ease of use as a primary goal at every location.
Ioniq owners will receive welcome kits, informing them with key information and benefits in the use of the ChargePoint charging network, and ChargePoint access cards that are easy to activate. In addition, owners will have the capability to conveniently locate ChargePoint chargers on their mobile devices using the MyHyundai/Blue Link app.