Car and Driver: Electric Invasion: Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid & EV On Sale Late 2016, Plug-In Arrives Spring 2017

With Volkswagen’s TDI diesels now on the rocks and Toyota’s Prius hybrid looking more and more like a science experiment gone wrong (at least style-wise), we’re glad to see Hyundai presenting its own entry into the green-car pool with the new Ioniq. This attractive-looking hatchback has now made its U.S. debut in its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric forms, and we got more detailed launch information at the New York auto show from Hyundai’s vice president Mike O’Brien and product planning manager John Shon.

The Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Electric will hit showrooms first, going on sale in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Ioniq Plug-in will arrive a bit later, likely in the spring of 2017. Shon said that this is because the plug-in powertrain was developed after the higher-priority conventional hybrid. Naturally, Hyundai expects the standard hybrid to sell in greater numbers than either of the other electrified Ioniqs.

While the Ioniq Hybrid will be sold at Hyundai dealers in all 50 states, the Ioniq Plug-in and Ioniq Electric will only be stocked at dealers in the 10 states that follow California’s zero-emissions vehicle regulations—California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont. But unlike some other EVs, Hyundai will allow interested buyers in the other 40 states to special-order an Ioniq Electric or Plug-in model from any Hyundai dealer.

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• 2017 Hyundai Ioniq: Official Photos and Info-
• Tested: 2016 Toyota Prius Two Eco-
• Hyundai Ioniq: Everything You Need to Know-

Hyundai won’t release any pricing information about the Ioniq until closer to its on-sale date, and EPA fuel-economy estimates are not yet available. But the company claims that the conventional hybrid’s combined MPG figure will top all other vehicles without a plug. That means beating the 2016 Toyota Prius, which achieves 56 mpg combined in its most-efficient Two Eco trim level. Let the hybrid battle begin!

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