Pros: Refined drive, looks great, huge boot
Cons: Driver screen not standard, questions about pricing
Hyundai Ioniq 3 Design
Though the pictures of the car here show a vehicle with ‘camouflage’ – to emphasise that it’s a prototype, not the finished article – we’ve already seen the finished design of the Ioniq 3, and it’s one of the highlights of the car. Hyundai calls it an ‘Aero Hatch’, as it’s a five-door hatchback styled as much by the need to reduce aerodynamic drag as image. Saying that, we reckon it looks fantastic, especially the upright rear end. The N Line model gets more black detailing and black wheels for a sportier appearance.
Hyundai Ioniq 3 Interior
The cabin can be had in a few different finishes, depending on trim level, from black with red detailing in the N Line car to much paler and more subdued colour palettes at the other end of the scale. Regardless, there’s decent interior space on offer, even in the back, and the boot is absolutely massive – thanks in part to a large underfloor section, big enough to take a suitcase. The Ioniq 3 gets a new touchscreen infotainment system called Pleos which seems full of features and intuitive to use, though signs are that the supplementary strip of screen ahead of the driver will not be fitted to all cars, meaning all driving information will be viewed on the big screen instead in some.
Hyundai Ioniq 3 Performance & Drive
Though the Ioniq 3 looks quite sporty – especially in N Line specification – it’s not a massively fast car. Not that that should matter to the target buyer. The front-mounted electric motor puts out maximums of 135hp or 147hp, depending on which battery pack is fitted, though because the larger battery is much heavier, it’s actually slower accelerating, despite its higher power output.
Thankfully, there’s much more to how the Ioniq 3 drives. It’s notably smooth, refined and ‘grown up’ on the move, feeling like a much bigger car than it is at times. And yet it’s also quite agile. We have not had a chance to test its efficiency in real-world situations as yet, but Hyundai quotes a range of up to 497km between charges for the model with the bigger battery.
Hyundai Ioniq 3 Pricing
When Hyundai Ireland first announced the Ioniq 3, it suggested that pricing would start at in and around the €28,000 mark. That feels acceptable for the expected level of equipment and the quality of the car, but since that announcement, other rivals have been launched at a lower price, so do wonder if the Ioniq 3’s price will be revised by the time the car hits the market later this year.
Carzone Verdict
We reckon the Ioniq 3 will sell on its looks alone, as it’s a daring, attractive-looking small car. There’s substance to it too, though, from its high-quality interior to the massive boot and the refined driving experience. All that’s needed for success is a compelling price tag.