Originally published on Gas2.
Bjorn Nyland has just posted a glowing review of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric. Bjorn is a video blogger who has made an international reputation by creating videos about road trips he has taken in his Tesla Model S and Model X. In fact, creating content for this YouTube channel has become nearly a full time job for him. Earlier this year, he won a Tesla Model X in a Tesla referral contest by generating more Model S referrals than anyone else in the European area.
Nyland is committed to the electric car lifestyle and is now branching out to cover electric cars from other manufacturers. His latest video is about a 600+ mile road trip he took recently from Oslo to Trondheim, Norway and back in winter conditions. His report? The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is almost as good as a Tesla Model S but costs only one third as much. High praise indeed.
Nyland raves about the car’s efficiency. With a 25 kWh battery, it used just 272 watt hours per mile, thanks in part to an aerodynamic coefficient of drag equal to that of the Tesla Model S. The trip included climbing hills and slippery, snow covered roads — hardly ideal for testing an electric car. But what really impressed Bjorn was the level of equipment packed into the Ioniq.
With the exception of a few parlor tricks Tesla owners like to impress their friends with, the car has much the same functionality as a Tesla with Autopilot. Auto steer allows hands free driving. There are also adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, emergency braking, and blind spot warning functions built in. Wireless charging for cell phones is included as well as heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel — especially appreciated in Norway’s cold winter climate.
The Ioniq Electric has a range of 124 miles under ideal conditions. Nyland noticed that he was able to drive more than 100 miles on a charge even in winter with the defroster and seat heaters operating and the outside temperature hovering around 20º F. Thanks to Norway’s extensive network of DC fast chargers along major transportation routes, Nyland was always able to find an available charger when he needed one. A version with a larger battery good for more than 200 miles of range is expected in 2018.
The touchscreen is large and easy to use (no, it is not as large as a the one in a Tesla!) and can be customized to meet the driver’s tastes. One feature Nyland really appreciated was a setting that allowed the car’s heater to only warm the driver’s side of the car, saving precious electrons when there were no passengers along for the ride.
The Ioniq is a 5 door hatchback design with plenty of rear leg, head, and shoulder room (Chevy Volt owners take note) so it can swallow a huge amount of cargo, especially with the seat down. It is not yet on sale in the US but will be later in 2017. One other thing to notice is the Hyundai Ioniq and the Kia Niro are fraternal twins from the beltline down and are mechanically identical. That suggests the Niro Electric will be a tempting choice for those who want an electric SUV. Prices in the US have not yet been announced.
Any car that impresses Bjorn Nyland is a seriously good car. If you are in the market for an electric car, you might be wise to consider the Ioniq Electric or the Niro Electric when they become available in your area.
Source: Inside EVs Photo credit: Bjorn Nyland/YouTube
Reprinted with permission.
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