Hyundai’s New Hybrid Could Surpass Toyota Sales

Feb 16, 2017 01:00 PM EST | Joyce Vega

Hyundai Ioniq has newly announced lower price and a slight fuel economy advantage. This is leading Hyundai to the right path to surpass sales of Toyota Prius.

According to Fortune, the base price of Ioniq hybrid is $23,035, which is more than $2,500 less than the cheapest Toyota Prius. The cheapest Ioniq hybrid has an EPA estimated fuel mileage rating of 58 miles per gallon combine city and highway driving. The Toyota Prius has an EPA fuel mileage rating of 52 miles per gallon combined. On paper, the Ioniq hybrid Blue looks like it could pose a threat to the Prius’ 20-year reign as king of the hybrid cars.

Hyundai is also producing an all-electric Ioniq model. The car is priced at $30,335 and with that price point, it hopes to attract consumers who just need a city car. The all-electric vehicle has less battery range than the new Chevrolet Bolt EV, but it is cheaper. Hyundai Ioniq all-electric vehicle was named greenest vehicle by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The Greenest Vehicle of 2017 list has names of 12 most environmentally-friendly models available to consumers. The Hyundai Ioniq Electric beat out the BMW i3, Toyota Prius Eco, Nissan Leaf, Fiat 500e, and Chevy Bolt EV.

According to Green Car Reports, the Ioniq Hybrid is available in three trim levels, while the Ioniq Electric is available in two trims. In addition to the base Blue trim level, the Ioniq Hybrid is available in higher-level SEL and Limited trims, priced from $24,785 and $28,335, respectively. Hyundai also offers a Limited trim level on the Ioniq Electric which is priced from $33,335. The Ioniq Hybrid has 1.6-liter 4 cylinder engine and 6-speed dual clutch transmission, working in correlation with an electric motor and 1.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. It has 139 horsepower and an EPA-rated 58mpg combined for the Ioniq Blue model. Other versions are rated at 55mpg.

Hyundai Ioniq Blue model barely beats the Toyota Prius Eco, which makes it the most fuel-efficient vehicle without a plug sold in the U.S. Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid uses a similar powertrain, but it is equipped with a more powerful electric motor and a larger battery pack that can be plugged in to recharge. The Ioniq Electric uses an 88-kilowatt electric motor, along with a 28-killowat-hour battery pack. It has 120 horsepower. It gets an EPA-rated 124 miles of range and 136 MPGe, which makes it the most energy-efficiency vehicle available in the U.S.

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