The Electric Dream – 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

When you want to engage with the increasingly electrifying automotive world, but can’t afford to splash out on a Tesla, there are other great options. One such option is Hyundai’s latest Ioniq Electric for the 2021 model year. Though not equipped with the long-range capabilities of other EVs on the market, it is still well furnished as a budget-friendly option for those looking to go electric without needing the long-distance ability for their day-to-day driving.

Let’s start with some of the best features of the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric. First of all, the price point is excellent. It has an estimated retail price starting at just AU$47,500. That cost is even more attractive when you consider the fantastic features that come as standard. Perhaps most noticeable is the ADAS package, including a semi-autonomous driving assist feature.

Other driver assistance features include forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keep assist. All of these are standard on both the SE and Limited models. The slightly more expensive Limited trim (AU$55,000) includes aforementioned semi-autonomous driving, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-collision warning.

An upgrade to the Limited trim brings extra benefits, too, like a 10.3” touchscreen (a 8” screen is standard on the SE), 8-speaker sound system, sumptuous leather seats, a sunroof and more. It’s a little disappointing that the battery in the Ioniq, however, is only 38.3kWh, which is smaller than fellow EV rivals such as the Nissan Leaf. It has been rated for a range of up to 170 miles, which is lower than competitors like Tesla, but will still do the job an everyday family car. The new standard charger in the 2021 edition has been improved. The 2021 Ioniq Electric can also accept DC fast-charging, so you can restore 80 percent of the battery/range in just 54 minutes using a 100kW connection.

A longer journey would require more careful precision planning, but with those fast charge times, it could be done. The interior of the car is also made from eco-friendly materials like sugar cane, and does so with considerable style and comfort. There’s a 7” digital instrument cluster, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard, making the cockpit a pleasant one in which to do your day’s driving. Those who need good smartphone connection will find a familiar Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available as standard.

Overall, we’d say that this car is one that makes EV’s more accessible to the public. In general, EVs are cheap to run, but expensive to initially buy. The 2021 Ioniq Electric helps shift that a bit more in the buyer’s favour. The Ioniq is packed with great features, and while the range isn’t the most impressive out there, it’s more than enough to make it a great city car for the family.