Hyundai IONIQ 3 Starts at £22k as Prices and Specs Released
Hyundai’s new supermini arrives with attractive pricing, generous space and stand-out looks.
For fans of Hyundai’s multi-fuel platform approach, they will be disappointed to learn that the new IONIQ 3 is a fully electric compact, B segment hatchback stretched to the max, because at 4,155 mm in length, it blurs the lines between competing with a VW Polo and a VW Golf, for example.
To ensure customers won’t be put off until the Electric Car Grant is approved, Hyundai is offering customers who place a reservation will receive a £1,500 Hyundai Reservation Saving on all 61kWh models. This discount is applicable until an Electric Car Grant (“ECG”) kicks in.
The IONIQ 3 is Hyundai’s first European model to include Pleos Connect, their infotainment system based on Android Automotive OS.
The system is only available with a 12.9-inch or 14.6-inch display (more about which models qualify later) and supports access to vehicle functions, navigation and connectivity.
Batteries, Range and Charging
Two battery packs are available with a 42 kWh battery and a 147 PS motor with a range of up to 213 miles. There’s also a larger 61 kWh battery with a curiously less powerful 135 PS electric motor, albeit the range is expected to be up to 308 miles on the WLTP test cycle.
Unlike some of its larger siblings, the IONIQ 3 is built on 400-volt electrical architecture, so don’t expect stellar DC Rapid charging speeds, because irrespective of the battery pack chosen, Hyundai estimates 29 - 30 minutes for a 10% to 80% charge.
It’s actual charging speeds are 119 kW for the 42 kWh battery pack, and 110 kW for the 61 kWh battery.
AC fast charging remains decent at 11 kW for both battery packs, although most domestic chargers will be limited to 7 kW.
Vehicle-to-Load bi-directional charging is available as an option on all but the entry trim, although there is no information on what power it can handle. But there is a caveat because V2L is included in the optional £1250 ‘EV Pack’ that also comes with a Heat Pump.
Space and Practicality
Despite the IONIQ 3 being a B-segment car, its interior space and storage is more reminiscent of a C segment family hatchback, such as the VW Golf, which has a very similar wheelbase to the IONIQ 3’s generous 2,680 mm. For a B Segment car its outstanding, meaning that taller passengers should find space in the back, provided the sloping roof line doesn’t cut into the rear seat space too much.
Like may cars from China, the centre console is a floating bridge that frees up storage space underneath, which is useful for small bags.
And whilst there is no front trunk, there is what Hyundai calls a “Megabox” under the boot floor that expands the total boot capacity to 441 litres.
Fold the rear seats down and that load area extends to 1213 litres.
Trims, Equipment and Prices
Four trims are available from the Advance entry level trim, to Premium, Ultimate and top-spec version, N Line Evo.
Advance
From £22,245 for the 42 kWh battery, or £24,425 for the 61 kWh battery, the Advance trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, LED front headlamps and rear lamps, front and rear parking sensors, a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear view monitor, smart key with push-button start, smart cruise control with stop-and-go and an electronic parking brake.
Premium
From £25,945 and only available with the 61 kWh battery, the Premium adds 17-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, battery heating and pre-conditioning, a 9.9-inch digital information cluster, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, electrically folding door mirrors, wireless smartphone charger, seat back pockets, solar windscreen and passenger seat height adjustment.
The optional ‘EV Pack’ from the Premium trim onwards adds a heat pump and Vehicle-to-Load functions.
Ultimate
At £28,445 - and just like the Premium, the Ultimate is only available with the larger 61 kWh battery pack, it adds 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation for the 12.9-inch infotainment system, matrix LED headlamps with dynamic welcome function, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, rear seat armrest, front seat lumbar support, rear air vents, reclining rear seats, cabin ambient lighting and Highway Drive Assist with hands-on detection and navigation-based smart cruise control.
To add V2L and a Heat Pump, customers will need to tick the optional ‘EV Pack’ on the order form. And the optional ‘Design Pack’ offers a Two-tone Vision Roof, whilst the ‘Comfort Pack’ comes with premium relaxation seats, heated front & rear seats, ventilated front seats, Bose Premium Audio and Digital Key 2.0.
N Line
Priced at £30,445 with either/or Hyundai Reservation Saving/anticipated ECG) is the range-topping trim and adds N Line exterior design, 19-inch N Line alloy wheels, a 14.6-inch infotainment display with navigation and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, suede and cloth N Line seats, N Line interior design with red accents, surround view monitor, blind spot view monitor, parking collision avoidance assist, 360-degree parking sensors, remote smart parking assist and Memory Reverse Assist.
All N Line Evo models use the same 61kWh 135PS powertrain as the other trims, but where they were seeing 303 miles of range, the N Line Evo takes a hit and only gets a range of up to 265 miles.
Safety
Standard safety equipment includes High Beam Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Follow Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Options
EV Pack: £1,250 - Adds V2L and a Heat Pump
Comfort Pack (Ultimate and N Line Evo only): £2,500 - Adds premium relaxation seats, heated front & rear seats, ventilated front seats, Bose Premium Audio and Digital Key 2.0
Design Pack (Ultimate and N Line Evo only): £1,500 - Adds Vision and Two-tone roof
Pearl paint finish: £750
Matte paint finish: £1,250
Black Roof: £1,500 (included in Design Pack with Vision Roof)
Availability
Customers can reserve the New Hyundai IONIQ 3 now by completing the online vehicle configurator and submitting their details via the Hyundai website.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, said: “The IONIQ name is already one of the most recognised and trusted among EV buyers who recognise it stands for smart design, real-world efficiency, and leading technology. With IONIQ 3, we’re taking that legacy into a new space with a model that delivers genuine EV innovation at a price point that makes electric mobility attainable for even more households”
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About the Author
Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more. You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb
