Hyundai Ioniq Electric Gen 1

Overview

The 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Gen 1 was a properly clever entry into the EV scene, offering an affordable gateway to zero-emission motoring for US buyers. It's a no-nonsense liftback that majors on efficiency rather than outright Nürburgring-lapping pace. Key highlights for this frugal flyer include its impressive energy consumption and a surprisingly practical interior. While new ones are off the menu, you can snag a used example for around $8,700, making it a tempting proposition for city slickers or as a second car. It’s all about sensible, eco-friendly miles without breaking the bank!

What's New for 2019?

For its final year as the "Gen 1," the 2019 Ioniq Electric got a decent tech boost! Hyundai beefed up the safety kit, making features like Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Driver Attention Warning standard across the board – a big win for peace of mind. Plus, managing your charge remotely became a doddle thanks to updates in the Blue Link app. While it wasn't a ground-up redesign, these tweaks kept this efficient EV feeling fresh and competitive, especially for US drivers wanting more smarts and safety without a hefty price hike.

Design & Exterior

The Ioniq Electric Gen 1 cuts a sleek, aerodynamic figure with its distinctive liftback shape, designed to cheat the wind and look pretty sharp doing it. Up front, it ditched the traditional grille for a smooth, futuristic panel, signaling its electric heart. It’s not shouty, but its eco-conscious design cues and aero-optimized wheels give it a modern vibe. Dimensionally, it measures up at 176 inches long, a neat 71.7 inches wide (mirrors tucked in!), and 57.1 inches tall, making it perfectly sized for zipping through city streets and squeezing into tight parking spots.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Ioniq Electric, and you’re greeted by a well-put-together cabin with a focus on eco-friendly materials and a clean, user-friendly layout. It’s surprisingly roomy for five, with decent comfort even for longer commutes. Tech-wise, you get a responsive touchscreen infotainment system, typically a 7-inch unit (with an 8-inch available), packing standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Luggage? No problem! There's a handy 12.4 cubic feet in the trunk, expanding to a generous 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. No frunk here, but the main boot is plenty practical.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't expect Tesla-baiting launches, but the Ioniq Electric’s front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), delivers a respectable punch. With 88 kW (around 118 hp) and a handy 218 lb-ft of instant torque, it scoots from 0-60 mph in a perfectly adequate 9.5 seconds – nippy enough for city driving! The ride is generally smooth and composed, prioritizing comfort over sporty antics. Its regenerative braking system is pretty intuitive, offering several levels to help you claw back some precious range with every lift of the throttle.

Range, Battery & Charging

The 2019 Ioniq Electric Gen 1 packs a 28 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 124 miles – perfect for daily duties. It’s a real sipper too, boasting an impressive efficiency of 4.43 mi/kWh! Juice it up at home with its standard 6.6 kW AC on-board charger, and you’re looking at a full top-up in just over 4 hours. Need a quicker zap? The CCS Type 1 port, conveniently located, can guzzle DC fast charging at up to 69 kW, getting you to 80% in around 25-30 minutes.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Hyundai didn't skimp on safety for the 2019 Ioniq Electric. While the provided data doesn't list an NHTSA overall rating, the IIHS gave it "Good" marks in most crash tests and named it a Top Safety Pick. For 2019, crucial driver-assistance features became standard, including Automatic Emergency Braking to help avoid fender benders, Lane Keep Assist to stop you wandering, and Driver Attention Warning. Higher trims often added Blind-Spot Collision Warning and Smart Cruise Control, making this an impressively safe package for an affordable EV of its time.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai’s warranty coverage for the 2019 Ioniq Electric was pretty stellar, giving buyers solid peace of mind. You got a 5-year/60,000-mile basic new vehicle limited warranty, which is decent. Even better, the critical EV bits, including that all-important battery, were covered by a fantastic 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, which often included protection against significant degradation. The powertrain also typically shared this generous 10-year/100,000-mile cover. Some model years even came with complimentary maintenance for the first few years, adding to the Ioniq's already sensible ownership proposition. Generally, these are proving to be reliable rides.