For years rivals have tried to beat the Toyota Prius, look at the Honda Insight and Ford C-Max, unfortunately the Insight is gone and does anyone even know the C-Max exists? Now it’s Hyundai’s turn. The Hyundai Ioniq may look like a Prius, but Hyundai has leap frogged the Prius by offering three versions: a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and a fully electric version of the Ioniq. For now, lets start with the 2017 Ioniq Hybrid, which will be the cheapest of the three and the most direct rival to the popular Prius. Here are the five things you need to know:
1The Ioniq is more fuel efficient than the Prius
The Ioniq is the most fuel efficient non-plug in car you can buy. Yup, the Ioniq officially tops the Prius. Under the hood the Ioniq is powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder that generates 104 horsepower and 109 lb-ft. of torque. Those specs aren’t that great, so luckily a 32-kW electric motor is part of the fun and brings another 43 horsepower and 125 lb-ft. of torque. The system generates a total 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft. of torque and it sends its power to the front wheel via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Now for the good stuff, the base Ioniq Blue trim will keep you far away from the gas station with its 57 mpg city, 59 mpg highway and 58 mpg combined rating. If you choose the SEL or Limited trim levels you’ll get a slightly lower 55 mpg combined rating, since their extra equipment levels eat away at the mpg rating. Either way those numbers are impressive. The most fuel efficient Prius, the Prius Two Eco model is rated at 58 mpg city, 53 mpg highway and 56 mpg combined. The rest of the Prius lineup is rated at 54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway and 52 mpg combined.
