The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is a new small electric hatchback designed primarily for the European market, but will also be available in Australia.
“Our existing electric vehicle offering already covers 85 percent of the market, and with the launch of the Staria Commercial Van later this year and the Ioniq 3 Hatch early next year, we expect to achieve a total market coverage of 96 percent electric vehicles,” Hyundai Motor Company Australia sales manager David Rodda said in a statement last week.
Unveiled in Europe overnight, the Ioniq 3 is based on a 400V-volt version of the larger Ioniq 5’s E-GMP architecture, similar to the slightly larger Kia EV3, and is built in Turkey.
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Hyundai calls it an “aero hatch,” but with its bubble-like shape and thick wheel arch trim, it superficially resembles the Genesis GV60.
According to Hyundai’s new “Art of Steel” design language, there is a sharper greenhouse and more distinctive lines than the Genesis, but the shape is designed to provide maximum interior space. It also has a drag coefficient of 0.263 Cd.
Hyundai’s signature pixel lighting elements can be found on the Ioniq 3, and the four centered dots at either end of the vehicle reference the letter “H” in Morse code. However, the traditional Hyundai logo can still be found on the vehicle.
The Ioniq 3 is 4155 mm long (4170 mm in the N-Line version), 1800 mm wide and 1505 mm high with a wheelbase of 2680 mm.
This makes it up to 132 mm shorter than the MG 4 as well as 36 mm narrower and 16 mm lower with a wheelbase that is 25 mm shorter.
It’s also 500mm shorter than the Ioniq 5 and has a 320mm shorter wheelbase.
The trunk holds 441 liters and is divided into 322 liters above the loading floor and 119 liters in the “megabox” below. The Kona Electric is said to be 407 liters in size at the back, although it is 200mm longer than the Ioniq 3.
There are 42.2kWh and 61kWh batteries to choose from, giving a WLTP range of 344km and 496km respectively.
The Ioniq 3 can be charged using AC power at up to 22 kW, while a 10-80 percent DC fast charge takes 29 minutes “under optimal conditions.” There’s also a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature that allows you to power small electrical devices from either an indoor or outdoor outlet.
The Ioniq 3 is only available as a single-motor front-wheel drive and produces power between 99.5 kW and 107.8 kW and torque of up to 250 Nm. Claimed 0-100km/h times are 9.0 seconds in the Standard Range trim and 9.6 seconds in the Long Range trim.
The Ioniq 3 will be available with 16-, 17-, 18- and 19-inch wheels.
It weighs between 1550kg and 1580kg, making it up to 215kg lighter than the Kona Electric, which is not based on a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform.
Inside, there are either 12.9-inch or 14.6-inch touchscreens with Hyundai’s new Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is based on the Android Automotive OS.
While there are on-screen shortcuts for features like climate control, there’s also a series of physical switches and buttons below the screen.
There is a dual-tier center console with a wireless charging pad at the bottom of the center console, while the shifter is mounted on the steering column. A slim digital instrument cluster is mounted high on the dashboard in full view of the driver.
The dashboard also has unusual padded sections, similar to the new Nexo. The N Line shown here has a black interior with red accents, but Hyundai will also offer plain black as well as two-tone beige/gray and blue/gray colors.
Available technologies include a Bose sound system, ambient lighting and Digital Key 2 functionality, which allows you to unlock and start the vehicle using your smartphone or watch.
There is also Remote Smart Parking Assist, an intelligent parking system that allows you to move the vehicle from outside using the key fob.
Heated and ventilated front relaxation seats are also available, and Hyundai says the Ioniq 3 uses “carefully selected textile materials inspired by natural landscapes and 1970s Italian furniture design, including recycled and bio-based materials.”
Safety technologies include Hyundai’s Blind Spot View Monitor, which displays a view of the vehicle’s interior blind spot, as well as Highway Driving Assist 2, Memory Reverse Assist and a Surround View Camera.
It’s currently unclear how much the Ioniq 3 will cost in Australia.
The Kona Electric starts at $54,000 before on-road costs (but is currently priced from $45,990 on-road) and sits below the Elexio ($58,990 plus on-road costs, currently $57,990 on-road) and the Ioniq 5 ($76,200 before on-road costs, currently $71,990 on-road). car).
Hyundai’s current entry-level electric vehicle is the Inster, which starts at $39,900 plus on-road ($38,990 driveaway).
Over at sister brand Kia’s showrooms, the EV3 costs $47,600 plus on-roads and is currently on sale for $46,990 drive-away.
Given the Turkish production of the Ioniq 3, we wouldn’t expect the price to be quite as high as the growing number of small Chinese electric hatchbacks, including the BYD Dolphin and the GAC Aion UT.
MORE: Explore the Hyundai showroom
