Top 5 best & worst things about the Hyundai Ioniq electric Premium SE

After 2 months and 2,000 miles, I decided to share my experience of the best and worst things about the Hyundai Ioniq Premium SE electric car.

[@JoseAAL]

I've read in a Spanish forum that there is a software update that solves the problem of the car forgetting some settings. Some users have been complaining about it for some time and one of them wrote (just today!) that he had it fixed. Great video, by the way!

[@pete9b]

Great video Stuart, please keep ‘em coming 😀

[@carpenterfamily6198]

Great Video - Thank you ! Having driven & loved a LEAF for two years, I am using this formula to determine my range requirement for our next EV: Avg daily miles x 2 must equal range of battery when charged to 80%

[@truthislam6481]

Hello from northern Canada December the 7th. We are experiencing an overnight low temperature of -14 Deg. C. Thank you for the vlog. It is short and to the point with highly useful information. I am at the point you were earlier this year and now understand that if I really want and need this model I am going to have to be patient. Well done Sir! Keep it up. Those of us who are wise are listening intently and learning what we need to know. If you get any foolish feedback please try to just brush it aside as it really doesn't matter!

[@StuartDWright]

Thnk you for your kind words

[@MrSeamusMurray]

Hi Stewart. I very much enjoy your Vlog. I recently became an owner of a Hyundai Ioniq and I am agree with the points you made in this Vlog. In my Ioniq when I turn off the power switch the parking brake is automatically applied. I totally agree that the auto hold mode is a fantastic feature and should be something that comes on automatically when the car is powered up. I think you may need to take your car to a Hyundai Dealer and asked them to perform a firmware update. This is something they should do for you free of charge as it is something that US customers can do themselves from their home computer. Anyway this is something I will be doing in the near future and I am going to ask the mechanic to program the Auto hold as a default feature while the mechanic is performing a firmware update to my car. Regards Séamus

[@Yggdrasil42]

Great video. I'm an Ampera driver looking for a fully electric car. I'm really intrigued by the Ioniq but for the ridiculous delivery time.

[@younhitchborn]

Great review. My 2017 Elantra ECO has the same rear-end dirt collection problem. My backup camera gets blocked out and I need to clean regularly. Even then, I can't complain, the car has been great. I am currently in the market for the Ioniq PHEV, whenever they finally hit the US/Oregon market.

[@liqwid99]

Cheers mate. Soon to be released in Australia. Thanks for the Review.

[@dennislyon5412]

Good stuff, Stuart! I like your picks. This car will do well if they’d just build them, and perhaps boost the battery cap a bit. I do like the one respondent’s formula for battery capacity (2x daily travels = 80% - a good rule of thumb for early adopters, since it would cover extreme temp days for those used to running heat or a/c always). How’s the seat comfort? Road noise? Climate control?

[@yggdrasil9039]

Great review, thanks Stu.

[@canpin]

Great list. Thanks. I can live with the 5 worst...so im pretty happy with my decision to go with ioniq

[@xchopp]

Thank you! I liked everything about this review. Subbed.

[@pierremorant8885]

Hi Stuart, thanks for your impressions. I almost fully agree with your comments. My comments on your comments are: - cons: VESS by default is a safety feature I guess, so even if it means turning it off 90% of the time, if you don't live downtown, it's I'd say the better option. - cons: No app .... well, it's a matter of taste. It certainly is useful to be able to start heating flexibly etc.... On the other hand, a remote access to any IT device is a potential security gap. And the onboard software .... I'm not sure it's mature enough, and therefore could more easily be subject to attacks / hacking. I'm serious. So currently, one could see this no app either as a default, or as a strength ! -pros: group the 2 financial points into 1, and free 1 "pro" slot for the ecologic argument. 28kWh (31 gross). If you can live with this autonomy, the planet will be thankful that you carry a small battery pack. The ecologic cost of producing batteries is very high, with the current technology (lithium / cobalt). The local pollution of electric cars is between low and very low (according to your local or national energetic mix), the global impact is very high, for extraction and production. 28kWh is 3 times greener than a P90D Tesla for instance. For me, one should get as much as necessary, and as little as possible. And for me, 28kWh is a real PRO ! Best regards, Pierre

[@wozzerwozzer1]

22000 miles on ours so far, I agree with all your points. Love the car, saved a fortune over our previous diesel guzzler. Getting 4.9 miles per kWh, so around 135 miles per charge.

[@AndreAndFriends]

Warren Smith you must be driving by yourself only? & not much cargo? City driving & low speed? When I drive faster than 70mph my goes down to +3 miles per kW.

[@robochan0970]

Still not released in Australia *at all*! Last I heard it may be Q2 2018 or never at all! Yes, I would agree availability is a problem. Enjoying your videos Stuart. Just wish I could buy one!

[@tonypower9315]

Great vid thanks . Iam still thinking about the change. I am on my third Hyundai , my wife has the i20 and I have the i30 both great cars with zero hassle . For info they both have the dirt collection issues at the rear like yours but it's not a show stopper.

[@chrishyde1216]

Excellent video, revealing points others don't cover. I wonder if the new 38 kwh Ioniq has tackled these; it certainly has an app now.

[@TheOmegaAlfa]

Nice review, helpful in investigating if to swap to ev.

[@vidsinthecloud]

Excellent video. Thanks.

[@elliottkeen9933]

I still enjoy watching your videos of the ioniq. We've done 1500 miles in our ioniq ev and love it. I do try and achieve 5 Miles per kW .

[@jasonallatt5410]

Great video. Love my Ioniq. I usually get 5 to 6 miles per kw though. On a 70mph run to the coast it dropped to 4.3.

[@JustReadable]

Excellent user-focussed review.

[@markwilliams5654]

I wonder if u can take the fuse out for the vess

[@itubeyourass]

great review ! thank you.

[@jyri-valokuvaaja]

You did nail the worst five, those are the exact reasons holding me of getting one!

[@mhaddadi]

Great video, im getting min e on 29/12/17. Atoparking when off will not allow towing if car breaks down, or run out of juice. Is there any factory rust protection done?

[@duckman5642]

Great vid cheers,how much does it cost to charge on a public charge point and how long?empty to full.thax

[@terryrigden4860]

Very informative, thank you

[@quietguy1948]

A solid video... good job.

[@misc8867]

Great review. I'm about to buy the same.

[@doudoune1067]

do the have a over-the-air updates? That could easily fix most of those points

[@fransutt9143]

Great video!!

[@leesmart1971]

Bought a Kona 64 Premium SE. 280 miles range (achieved already) is awesome. 7 months wait for delivery was less good... I agree with your plus and minus points completely (not had regen level reset issue as I didn't realise I could set it on the Kona... Will try later!!). VESS is annoying. Auto-hold is great and should be default. Lack of an app is a shame but not a big deal as long as I plan my departure times.

[@elliottkeen9933]

I've just brought a ioniq ev and it's brilliant. Thanks to kind people like Stuart leaving such informative reviews.

[@StuartDWright]

Awesome. Enjoy!

[@stephenj.p.ingley4033]

Awesome review from America...I drove the Hybrid last year because EVs are rare, rare, rare here in NW Florida where a gallon of 87 Unleaded is running about $2.29 as of Thanksgiving Weekend 2017. My ONLY two gripes with the Hybrid Ioniq were 1. Comfort, or I should say the lack of comfort. My lower back hated the seat. 2. Ingress Egress. Simply getting in and out with a lowered roofline required way to much head/back bending for my comfort. 50mpg? Definitely on my 10 mile test drive. However, I didn't buy one simply because if you can't be comfortable getting in and out of your car and you can't stand the back pain from the driver's seat what's the point... Overall I think Hyundai has a winner as I finally found a 2017 Accent Hatchback Sport that is sitting in the garage today. Great Job on your Review. Very Professional. JP

[@mikemargo]

We pay about $7.50 a gallon, yes it’s slightly larger than a US one and the octane rating is higher 95 minimum..

[@leaflover9625]

Stephen J.P. Ingley Same in Missouri. Only have the hybrid version here. No pure EV at the dealer.

[@AndreAndFriends]

Stephen J.P. Ingley youre a smart man. I drive ionic for work. VERY HORRIBLE CAR!!!! NOT SAFE!!!

[@rosekadoges]

Really interesting video! There doesn't seem to be a problem offering the 2018 version here in France. Looking at Nov. delivery. We loved the test drives and your video helped us make the decision to get one!

[@StuartDWright]

Wow, that's great. However, I'd be surprised if you can get the 2018 version any more. Dealers worldwide (I think) have been told that it's no longer abailable. My local Hyundai dealer is not taking *any* orders for the Ioniq.

[@rosekadoges]

StuartDWright I wonder what's different in France? The dealer said November delivery... I hope we're not too late!

[@sirmaggie4342]

Thanks😊 your video convinced me.

[@rogerhudson9732]

I like relaxing music when driving, what's the speaker sound quality like? My test music is 'The magic flute', from the deep base of Sarastro to the high soprano of the queen of the night.

[@FallenHoot]

The Ioniq has an app, but it is only available in the USA. It allows for autostart.The car will have a software update in the summer of 2018. Make sure to check with your dealer to get that.Of course the battery is small and therefore gives you less range. Just wait until 2020 and get the bigger battery. The charging time of the small battery beats the other EV's. Good review and I notice some of the faults as well. It will pay itself off in a few years.

[@ITubeTooInc]

Thanks for the video. 2:58 That's a picture of a Tesla Model S you put in the top, not the Model X you were referring to.

[@thespector8587]

ITubeTooInc he was referring to the model 3

[@F1DTOX]

Hi Stuart, nice video :) A few comments: I test drove the Ioniq PHEV earlier this year, and I was fairly impressed. It too had the rubbing bake noise, so it will be interesting to see if the car I've got on order will have that or will have been sorted. As to the noise in the B post, the last 3 Audis' I've had, have all had a rattle there (two Audi A4s and an A3). One thing that does concern me about the Ioniq is the comfort of the seats, how are you getting on with yours??

[@AndreAndFriends]

F1DTOX same here

[@zaneverovati]

Hi Stuart, Thank You for pointing out all of the above, both the pros and the cons. I've bought an Ioniq and am getting it on Tuesday next week. Do You maybe know whether the software related issues have been resolved by some sort of update? Also, is there a way of getting the updates over the air to the car, maybe by turning the phone into a WiFi hotspot? I've never owned anything as sophisticated as this car, I'm leaving my X-Trail at the dealers and X-Trail's infotainment system is ancient by Ioniq standards. Any sort of info is more than welcome. Thanks for the video once again, all the best. Cheers

[@renebergqvist599]

Auto-parking brake is neither a feature in Hyundai i40 - this my wife learned painfully when returning from shopping finding that the car had 'eloped' into a 20 foot container.... Love hurts 😀 The extreme dirt pick-up on the rear is also a feature on our Nissan Leaf....

[@Mobile_Dom]

the fact that 4 of the 5 cons can be addressed with software updates are very comforting, hopefully Hyundai keep on it

[@arthurbrandt1650]

Great video!!! Too bad you’re not in the US

[@yingmustang67]

I always turn each time: auto hold ( great feature) cruise control and parking assist. Why is that not a memory thing??

[@M45T3Rown]

Did you end up finding what causes the worrying sound coming from the wheels? I got a 2021 ioniq and have the same issue when it's humid and around 0 degrees celcius. Went to the dealership and since they couldnt hear it they didnt do anything...

[@paulmoy7374]

I worry about the rear window not having a wiper....I had a Honda Civic and that had no wiper and I could never see a thing out of the rear window when it rained.

[@MegaNealo]

"Uneconomically" *cue video of A4 sliding round a bend. Love it :-) (I know where that Fireblade photo was taken :-) Ahhh good old Holt Court North)

[@StuartDWright]

Were you still at Infor when they moved, Chris?

[@MegaNealo]

Not out to Solihull. We moved across the canal to the other bit of the science park. But I left in 2005.

[@hugorhodano8428]

Thanks for the informative video. I'm totally agree with your opinion. Many Korean companies have lack in software development. South Korean children might have good education but computer science is not included. Maybe it is also due to many old managers, who also didn't have any education in computer science. Even Samsung, the largest conglomerate in South Korea is lacking in software. Korea Inc. is a good hardware country but not in software...

[@StuartDWright]

I was going to disagree with you and refer to the self-driving Ioniq shown at CES in January, but then I reconsidered because it's quite possible the core 'brains' behind the autonomous system might have been brought in from a third party.

[@AndreAndFriends]

Hugo Rhodano N. Koreans are very good in software. Trust me.

[@dealerovski82]

this is my daily driver, you nailed the pros and cons. I would add its not a very good winters car. radar system dosent work in heavy snowfall and headlights get clothered.

[@Johnwillbegone]

I am looking to buy my first ev. I'm thinking 2016 Nissan leaf or 2016 Kia Soul. The more I look..the more unsure I become. Any thoughts, opinions would be greatly appreciated. I have to make a decision soon. Ionic is way out of my budget. Too few in this area.

[@FancyaBevMate]

Totally agree with your pros and cons stuart considering the car comes from one of the most technological countries on the planet its bizarre, but I think I know the reason. Most manufacturers don't want people to be in bevs because of the lack of money they generate for servicing, parts replacement etc. My local hyundai and kia agents have No intention of even selling bevs and have said they are only interested in vehicles with an ICE like hybrids and phev. Epic oh well I've had four kias costing me over £70,000 in under 11 years. Bye hyundai and kia Hello Nissan! Good video mate

[@vtwinbreed]

Fancy a Bev Mate? Nissan? Rip

[@orfescuhoratiu]

@@vtwinbreed i`ve tested nissan leaf , great car ( 2018) and i have to say ...leaf is still too far in the past regarding autonomy ...yes it`s a nice car , e-pedal is great but 150 miles or so ...that`s too short . As a taxi in the city ..we need these real life 200 miles ( many airport clients ) .

[@AlainSylvestre]

@@orfescuhoratiu that true but next year with leaf e-plus with 60 kW and thermal managment. That will be interresting.

[@petemoore5444]

I notice there is no wiper on the split rear window. I owned a Honda Civic that had the split rear window and the rear view was always hampered with a dirty window. Honda have now fitted a wiper to the Civic. I hope this isn't going to be a similar problem. I don't want to spend £23000 on a car and then another £1.50 on a squeegee to keep the rear window clean as I did on the Civic.

[@StuartDWright]

The rear window doesn't get significantly dirty. Or at least hasn't so far. I'm finding I'm having to clean this car more regularly than any other car I've owned, but then it's white, I'm driving it in wet conditions and I'm shooting it on video regularly :)

[@AndreAndFriends]

Pete Moore LOL....SO TRUE. When I drive IONIC on a long routes, I just use an old newspaper or a supermarket flier to clean the rear window. :)..... charging EVgo does not have any squegee.

[@truthislam6481]

We seem to have an app here in Canada called Hyundai Blue Link however it does not look very useful. If one can't preheat the windscreen steering wheel and driver seat before setting off at 3:00 AM in _32 Deg. C. anything else seems pointless especially if it isn't a free app after three years.

[@timovneerden]

Ioniq PHEV 2020 here. Same "problems" here: the dirt does indeed tend to get on the back of the car. I though it was just me, first, but I never recall having the same issue with another car (not at that level). But it’s okay I guess. The "auto hold" problem is indeed really weird. I can’t understand why Hyundai made a choice not to allow this particular setting to be saved like so many others.

[@TheBeggFamily]

How many kWH is that one? I thought the 38kWH had good range.

[@theexmann]

Good video. I've read on other sites that if you hold on to the left paddle on the steering wheel it will bring the car to a full stop. I guess you can say that's the fourth level of regen braking. Have you tried that?

[@StuartDWright]

Yes and it doesn't.

[@jaipo]

Hi Stuart, I am seriously considering leasing one of these , it’s some time since you got it any regrets ?

[@StuartDWright]

Nope, not one. Although if I were buying now, and I could afford the extra, I'd get the Kona for the extra range.

[@jaipo]

Current lease runs out March, kona is a 42 month wait IONIQ I can get from stock for 278 a month

[@bpmm0171]

I'm actually looking into buying one of these, I was wondering what is the range at moterway speed (120kmph) and also chadamo seems to be more popular in my area do you find any issues finding charging points?

[@StuartDWright]

Good choice, but Hyundai aren't taking orders for the 2018 model any more, so your three choices are finding one already at a dealer or second hand or ordering a 2019 model. No major issues in the UK finding CCS chargers, though they are scarce in more remote areas.

[@bpmm0171]

StuartDWright thanks for the reply!, I'll be buying second hand there are a few on the market both here(Ireland) and in the UK. The only thing that concerns me is that I do alot of motorway driving and if it has the range. Also battery degradation but I haven't heard anything yet.

[@StuartDWright]

There's a significant warranty on the car and the battery. I'm not worried about degradation. It's not like they are iphone batteries. Degradation is supposed to be a non issue in cars. If you drive a bit more slowly and slipstream larger vehicles, you can extend the range. I did a video about that. Don't know what the charging infrastructure is like in Ireland. Spoke to Motorfair today who sold me my Ioniq and they have a silver Premium SE demo car. There won't be any discounts on demo cars, I don't expect.

[@Owsryudie]

Dear Stuart, I hope you see this message. Did your software fix? (Did the bugs go away) I bought a 2018 car and have the same problem! :(

[@99346447]

auto handbrake is default switched off on european models due to supply to other colder countries in europe having a handbrake applied overnight in minus 5 will freeze the calipers to the wheels.

[@StuartDWright]

Well that makes perfect sense. Having the option would be good, though.

[@markwilliams5654]

U should get a Tesla roadster as u owned a lotus u would love it abit heavier but loads of fun

[@alanjenkinson7812]

I drove the PHEV version when it first came out and was amazed at the economy. After owning a Passattt GTE I can relate to how irritating you find rattles, the difference being that your dealer seems happy to help and VW were a total bunch of toss pots sorting all the rattles, rustles, buzzing noises and wires crushed during production that I rejected the car in the end. I then leased a 539e from Alohabet who are also useless- I think it’s the arrogance of these German manufacturers who think they’re superior but they’re not. In a way I wished I’d got the Ioniq. But back to my point, that foot brake worried me. I did wonder how much damage it would do in an accident bearing in mind how high above the other pedals it was....

[@Telhmaaa]

hej Stuart, the charging speeds also reset all the time, and i hate that, i have a old house, and still not yet installed a charger, i wanna charge on the lowest speed so i do not put my garage on fire. i need to put the speed in again a lot of times :(

[@StuartDWright]

I always charge at the maximum speed, so I have never touched that setting. You know, I doubt they will ever fix these little bugs. Thanks for sharing.

[@Telhmaaa]

Just ordered my charger, now i also do not need to think about it anymore :D

[@allyliddiard7320]

What I like about the spoiler is that it blocks the headlights of cars close behind you so you can't see idiots flashing you to get out the way as they sit two yards off your bumper whilst you yourself are clearly in the process of overtaking a slower car at a decent but intelligent speed.

[@showme360]

I would think that the engineers would probably be concerned with little use of the brakes, when setting the regen to max all the time, brake disc rusting up, and so affects the brake effiency!!

[@StuartDWright]

Still have to use the brakes to come to a complete stop, so no chance of them rusting up. THey certainly won't wear out as quickly, though.

[@rns101]

Hey do u really only get 116 miles range ?

[@StuartDWright]

When it's cold, yes. When the weather is warmest here in the UK, I've seen 140 miles range after charging to 100%.

[@lotsofbumper76]

110miles on a charge? That’s well below suggested range, and what others are reporting. Driving style? Or just average etc . I would be interested to know what the winter range compares to summer is. We are awaiting ours🙈😢

[@StuartDWright]

When I start the car in the morning after being on charge over night, the stated range is about 115 miles. I run the car with the heating on (set to 21.5 degrees - nice and toasty for the kids), and if I turn it off, the range increases.

[@lotsofbumper76]

StuartDWright I’m so used to not having heating on in my leaf 😂

[@FancyaBevMate]

lotsofbumper76 that's about to change when I take delivery of my first BEV ;) 160 real world range with lights and air conditioning on and mountainous terrain as james found out in the 2018 40kwh leaf in electric journeys japan ;) can't wait to take delivery in mid January!

[@lotsofbumper76]

Fancy a Bev Mate? That’s great, new leaf will be a super car especially for a first BEV as for the range.... we will see what winter does for you🙈😜 still think for a 40kwh car the range should be closer to 200miles The ioniq is only 28kwh but can get up to 140.

[@FancyaBevMate]

I'm doing a video blog on the new leaf for 5 years and upwards of 200,000 miles regarding the use as a taxi/private hire vehicle I'm the guinea pig :)

[@4yourgarden]

Good to know i think it could be another 3 years before we can get model 3 so may get one of these instead 8 months is nothing lol

[@luissantos84]

so true

[@johtokunta8699]

Stuart, regarding VESS & autohold, check ioniqforum.com/forum/290-hyundai-ioniq-user-interface/17441-disabling-vess-permanently-enabling-sport-mode-auto-hold-automatically.html

[@yingmustang67]

Hahaha , I am always joking that 0 to 60 km /h kinda even as Tesla in Sports Mode. I do think that to 100 km /h is on Sports Mode about 7 or 8 seconds.

[@zoebettina]

not all leafs have an app...only the more expensive ones

[@chrishyde1216]

In my experience the Leaf app is poorly supported by Nissan and doesn't always work.

[@zoebettina]

I wish I could turn off the artificial 2017 leaf sound with a button

[@Carbonracer1]

It is a EU thing, it must be on when you start a EV car.

[@melcanuck5951]

9:37 ... and the dog likes it...?? (I presume that is a dog blanket on the rear seat?)

[@StuartDWright]

Yes, but to be fair, the dog loves going in any car.

[@zoebettina]

also ioniCs weren't and aren't available in Colorado and other huge parts of the USA

[@iu2]

Why are all the Brits pronouncing Hyundai as Hi-Un-Die?;In the West, it's pronounced either Hun-day or Hyun-day. (It's actually Hyun-dae in Korea.)

[@etmax1]

In a pure EV, regen should always be on maximum, and the throttle shouldn't be considered a mere gas pedal, but rather a continuously variable accel/decel device when you do that you minimize brake pad wear and maximize recovery of energy while slowing down. Basically what I'm saying is never take your foot entirely off the throttle (unless you want to quickly and completely stop) but rather back it off just until the desired amount of deceleration is achieved. I drive a model S and using this method I have consistent range almost regardless of terrain and traffic.

[@TonyAbbey]

Hi etmax1, I disagree. Regen is never 100% efficienct, so if you can maintain speed by coasting (regen 0) then it is more economical. I agree that using more regen to slow down is good - hence the paddles on the Ioniq. I can drive it almost completely without touching the brake pedal, and sometimes without touching the accelerator for considerable distances.

[@williamsdonnie0]

There is an app for the car and you can control your car from anywhere. I don't know what this guy is talking about.

[@roygardiner4002]

Only available in the States unfortunately, Will come to UK "soon" according to my dealer.

[@AndreAndFriends]

Donnie Williams IONIC app very often does not work. Or some other problems?

[@markwilliams5654]

I used to work for Tesla on the roadster check out my vids

[@colinoverton790]

Now more expensive.

[@StuartDWright]

?

[@FFVoyager]

110 miles? I thought it was going to be better than that. :-(

[@brianlawrence7986]

I am not sure why you are getting only 110 miles on a charge in ECO mode. We live in Scotland and are getting 125 - 130 in NORMALmode at the moment.

[@StuartDWright]

We have the heating on all the time?

[@brianlawrence7986]

So do we , set to 22 most of the time at this time of the year.

[@misc8867]

In my BMW i have it on 23-24, you cant freeze just because you drive a EV. I dont need that long range anyway so it should be fine i guess but if the range goes down dramatically i be disappointed.