Since the debut of the Toyota Prius in 2000 as the first mass-marketed hybrid in the United States, several manufacturers have tried to infiltrate the odd-looking green car leader’s dominance. All have failed.
Now, there’s a legitimate contender, the Hyundai Ioniq. The unusual name is the combination of the words ion and unique, and the vehicle’s title works. The Ioniq’s specs outdo the Prius numbers in multiple categories.
Key Takeaways
- First car offered in three electrified flavors: Ioniq Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, and full Electric — something not even Toyota’s Prius lineup matches in a single nameplate.
- 58 combined mpg tops the Prius: The Ioniq Blue is rated 57 city / 59 highway mpg, a few miles per gallon better than the equivalent Prius trim.
- 139-hp 1.6L four with 6-speed dual-clutch: Real gears, real shift feel, paddle-friendly Sport mode. Morphs the Ioniq into a spirited-feeling hatch, escaping the CVT drone of a Prius.
- Eco-materials woven through the cabin: Sugar-cane extract in the headliner and carpet, recycled plastic plus powdered wood and volcanic stone in the door panels. Environmental credibility beyond the badge.
- $23,000 base, $31,000 loaded: Hyundai undercuts Prius pricing at the bottom of the range and adds its industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain plus lifetime hybrid-battery warranty.
The 2018 Hyundai Ioniq is the first hybrid that could provide a serious challenge to the Toyota Prius. Images © James Raia/2018″/>The 2018 Hyundai Ioniq is the first hybrid that could provide a serious challenge to the Toyota Prius.Unveiled in 2016 as a 2017 model, the Ioniq is the only green car available in three modes — a traditional hybrid, full-electric and plug-in hybrid. The entry-level Ioniq plug-in hybrid Blue Line model is rated at 57 miles per gallon in city driving, 59 miles per gallon for highway treks.
Its rating is several miles per gallon higher than the best mileage in the Prius lineup. In electric mode, the Ioniq has a 27-mile range. The efficient little machine can travel nearly 700 miles using gas only.
The Ioniq is unlike the Prius because it’s equipped with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine generates 139 horsepower. The electric motor is backed by a 1.56-kWh lithium-ion battery. Prius models have continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
Also unlike the Prius, the Ioniq looks and drives like a traditional hatchback. It has well-contoured, svelte exterior styling with a signature Hyundai trapezoidal front grille. The interior is equally well-crafted with sections of the side panels smoothly meshing well into the door handles and side audio system speakers.
Environmental considerations are further considered in the Ioniq’s interior construction. Sugar cane extract is a major ingredient in the headliner, carpet and soft-touch panels. Door panels are made from a composite of recycled plastic, powdered wood and volcanic stone.
Engineers were also crafty. The hybrid battery and fuel tank are located under the rear seat. The 12-volt battery for starting the Ioniq and using its accessories is incorporated into the main hybrid battery.
The efficient use of space leaves a cavernous cargo area, considering the segment. One example: Two home windows screen needing repair didn’t fit in a recent review sedan, so I had to borrow my wife’s Honda CR-V for a short trip to a local hardware store. With the split back seat down, the Ioniq has 26.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The screens fit in the Ioniq flat for the return trip and with a few inches of width and length to spare.
Except for Tesla, alternative fuel vehicles aren’t known for their acceleration. The Ioniq maintains the segment’s reputation. It completes the 0-60 miles per hour standard in 8.1 seconds in economy mode. But with a flick to the left on the shift lever, sport mode is engaged and the Ioniq’s persona morphs into a spirited, near sports-car-like machine. It’s far removed the sluggish hybrid reputation. The odometer speed indicator becomes a tachometer.
Not everything is ideal with the Ioniq. It shares with the Prius an annoying split rear window view via the clumsy hatchback design. It severely blocks the view. A rear windshield wiper would be a welcomed addition.
Since its debut with Kia, its close relative, one of Hyundai’s strengths is its 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year, 60,000 bumper-to-bumper warranty. Hyundai also offers a lifetime battery warranty if there’s a complete battery failure.
The Ioniq’s base price is about $23,000. With various trim levels and optional packages, the cost can reach $31,000. The top-of-the-line price places the Ioniq near the country’s current average price of a new car. That seems reasonable in Hyundai’s quest to challenge the Prius.
What We Like
- 58 mpg combined on the Blue trim beats the Prius
- Six-speed dual-clutch transmission feels sportier than a CVT
- 27-mile electric range on the plug-in hybrid variant
- Sugar cane, recycled plastic, and volcanic stone cabin materials
- Lifetime hybrid-battery warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage
What We Don’t
- Split rear window creates a blind spot on the hatchback design
- No rear windshield wiper
- Acceleration in Eco mode feels sluggish
- Still lacks Prius-level name recognition in the hybrid market
- 26.5 cu ft cargo volume trails some compact hatch rivals
Facts & Figures: 2018 Hyundai Ioniq
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4-cylinder, 1.6L + Electric Motor |
| Horsepower | 139 |
| Transmission | 6-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Economy | 57 city / 59 hwy / 58 combined mpg (Blue) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Airbags | 8 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles; Battery/lifetime |
| Acceleration | 0-60 mph, 8.1 seconds |
How It Compares
| Vehicle | Starting Price |
|---|---|
| 2018 Toyota Prius | |
| 2018 Toyota Prius Prime | |
| 2018 Honda Insight | |
| 2018 Kia Niro | |
| 2018 Chevrolet Volt |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq have?
The 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor produces 139 total system horsepower. Power routes through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission — a genuine multi-gear gearbox unlike the Prius’s CVT.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Ioniq?
The Ioniq Blue trim is rated 57 mpg city, 59 mpg highway, and 58 mpg combined — among the highest EPA ratings of any non-plug-in vehicle sold in 2018.
How is the Ioniq different from the Toyota Prius?
Three ways. The Ioniq uses a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox rather than a CVT, it offers three electrified variants (hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric) under one nameplate, and the Ioniq Blue achieves higher EPA ratings than any Prius trim.
What is the Ioniq plug-in hybrid’s electric range?
27 miles of electric-only range. The on-board charger’s equipment stores in a portable, backpack-style case.
How much does the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq cost?
Base MSRP is approximately $23,000. Fully equipped with options, top trims approach $31,000.
How fast is the 2018 Ioniq?
0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds in Eco mode. Sport mode brings more aggressive throttle calibration, converting the odometer display to a tachometer and feeling meaningfully quicker.
What is the Ioniq’s warranty?
Hyundai provides 5 years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper, 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain, plus a lifetime warranty on the hybrid battery in case of complete battery failure.
What are the main rivals to the 2018 Hyundai Ioniq?
Primary competitors include the Toyota Prius, Toyota Prius Prime, Honda Insight, Kia Niro, and Chevrolet Volt in the efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid segment.
Article Last Updated: April 17, 2026.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.