2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

History/Overview

Now in its fifth model year, the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a compact hatchback built on the brand’s first dedicated electrified vehicle platform. It’s the most accessible of a trio of Ioniq models that includes plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions – both of which are covered in separate buyer’s guide entries – that wear the same body. Hyundai refreshed the Ioniq Hybrid’s styling in 2020, so it moves into 2021 unchanged.

Available Trims

Hyundai sells the Ioniq Hybrid in three trim levels: Essential, Preferred and Ultimate. All three match a 1.6L four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Standard Features

Outside, the Ioniq Hybrid wears 15-inch tires on alloy wheels, auto on/off headlights, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors and a rear spoiler. Inside, you get an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo, automatic A/C, and heated front seats.

Essential trim’s standard safety kit comprises tire pressure monitoring, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning.

Preferred trim adds blind spot warning, rear parking sensors, the Bluelink connected vehicle system, heated rear seats and steering wheel, LED interior lighting, a sunroof, passive keyless entry, satellite radio, all-LED exterior lighting, and a cargo area cover.

Ultimate trim brings adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, an upgraded collision warning system with cyclist detection, highway driving and lane following assists, an eight-way power driver’s seat with memory, a 10.25-inch infotainment display powering an eight-speaker stereo, wireless smartphone charging, a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated garage door remote, leather seating, 17-inch wheels, power-folding side mirrors, and chrome exterior trim.

Fuel Economy

Hyundai calls the Ioniq Hybrid Canada’s most fuel-efficient car, with consumption estimates of 4.0/3.9 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

The Ioniq Hybrid’s primary competitor is the Toyota Prius. However, if you’re not fixated on the Ioniq’s liftback body, you might cross-shop it against the new-for-2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and the Honda Insight, which is heavily based on the Civic.