Hyundai Ioniq Electric Gen 2

Overview

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Gen 2 was a cracking choice for savvy EV buyers, offering impressive efficiency in a sleek liftback package. As a discontinued model, it now presents great value on the used market, with prices around €14,900. Its blend of practicality, decent real-world range for its battery size, and user-friendly tech made it a strong contender. This Gen 2 brought a welcome battery boost and power bump over its predecessor, cementing its spot as a sensible, no-nonsense electric hero before Hyundai’s newer E-GMP platform cars arrived. A truly underrated EV!

What's New for 2022?

For the 2022 model year, the Ioniq Electric Gen 2 was largely a carry-over, marking the final chapter for this iteration. The significant 'Gen 2' updates, including the punchier 100 kW motor and the more useful 38.3 kWh battery pack, had already been introduced in late 2019. So, by 2022, European buyers got a refined, mature package with established features like the upgraded infotainment system and refreshed styling. Think of it as the Ioniq Electric perfecting its act before bowing out gracefully, offering a solid, proven EV experience.

Design & Exterior

The Ioniq Electric Gen 2 sports a properly slippery, aerodynamic liftback shape that still looks modern and smart. It's not shouty, but rather understatedly cool with its distinctive closed-off grille and signature LED daytime running lights. For the European market, this trim often featured stylish alloy wheels. Key dimensions are a practical 4470 mm in length, 1820 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1450 mm tall, making it a breeze for city driving and parking. It’s a handsome machine that prioritises efficiency through its design, without skimping on style.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Ioniq Electric Gen 2 offers a well-put-together cabin with a user-friendly layout and surprisingly good material quality for its class. It comfortably seats five. Tech-wise, European models typically boasted a slick 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. You get a decent 357 litres of boot space, expanding to a very useful 1417 litres with the rear seats folded flat. While there's no frunk, the overall practicality and standard kit make it a comfortable and connected daily driver. Super sensible stuff!

Performance & Driving Experience

Under the bonnet (well, sort of!), the Ioniq Electric Gen 2 packs a 100 kW PMSM motor driving the front wheels, delivering a healthy 295 Nm of torque. This translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint in a respectable 9.7 seconds – nippy enough for city dashes and motorway cruising up to its 165 km/h top speed. The driving experience is smooth, quiet, and composed, prioritising comfort. Adjustable regenerative braking, often via steering wheel paddles, allows for efficient one-pedal style driving in many situations. It’s an easy and relaxing car to pilot.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Ioniq Electric Gen 2 boasts a 38.3 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 262 km – pretty decent for daily duties! Its standout feature is incredible efficiency, rated at 6.84 km/kWh. For charging, it uses a CCS Type 2 port. AC charging is handled by a 7.2 kW on-board unit, meaning a full top-up takes about 6 hours. Hook it up to a DC fast charger, and it can slurp power at up to 44 kW, getting you to 80% in under an hour.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a strong suit for the Ioniq Electric Gen 2, backed by a top 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of active safety and driver-assistance systems was typically generous. Standard kit in many European markets included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW). Higher-spec versions or optional packs added niceties like Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Blind Spot Collision Warning, making it a reassuring companion on any journey. Properly kitted out for peace of mind!

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Hyundai typically offers a solid warranty package in Europe for the Ioniq Electric. Expect a 5-year/unlimited kilometre basic vehicle warranty, which is brilliant. The crucial high-voltage battery usually comes with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty, often guaranteeing at least 70% of its original capacity. Powertrain components are covered under the main vehicle warranty. Being an EV, maintenance is generally simpler and cheaper than petrol counterparts, focusing on tyres, brakes, and cabin filters. Reliability for these Hyundais is generally considered strong, adding to the ownership appeal.