Hyundai has opened orders for its compact electric vehicle, the IONIQ 3, in the United Kingdom and Europe, offering a base version priced at £18,495, including the British electric vehicle grant of £3,750. The version with the larger battery costs £21,995, with a stated range of 308 miles according to the WLTP standard.
Two Prices and Two Batteries
The IONIQ 3 is available with a 42-kilowatt-hour or 61-kilowatt-hour battery. The entry-level Advance version with the smaller battery offers a range of up to 213 miles, while the extended-range Advance version with the larger battery offers a range of up to 308 miles. Hyundai also announced lease offers starting at £355 per month for the version with the larger battery, with an initial payment of the same amount and an annual interest rate of 8.9%.
In Germany, prices start at approximately €28,950, with a lease offer from €209 per month. The British prices, after the grant is applied, compare with the Renault 5 E-Tech, which starts at £21,495, and the BYD Dolphin G DM-i, priced at £23,990.
Specifications Designed for Compact Cars
The vehicle is 4,155 millimeters long, 1,800 millimeters wide, and 1,505 millimeters high, with a wheelbase of 2,680 millimeters. It uses a design Hyundai calls “Aero Hatch,” with a drag coefficient of 0.263, while luggage capacity reaches 441 liters.
The IONIQ 3 uses a 400-volt electric architecture, unlike the IONIQ 5, which uses an 800-volt architecture. According to the announced figures, charging the battery from 10% to 80% takes about 29 minutes for the 42-kilowatt-hour battery and about 30 minutes for the 61-kilowatt-hour battery.
Digital System and Standard Equipment
The vehicle is the first Hyundai model in Europe to include the Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is based on Android Automotive OS. The system provides apps and customizable screens, with a 12.9- or 14.6-inch central display, along with an optional driver display.
Standard equipment includes SmartSense driver-assistance technologies, the Hyundai Digital Key 2, Plug & Charge, an integrated route planner for electric vehicles, and Vehicle-to-Load capability for supplying power to external devices.
What Matters in Practice?
Hyundai positions the IONIQ 3 in the relatively low-priced, long-range compact electric vehicle segment, but the stated starting price depends on a British government grant of £3,750. The listed range and charging figures are also the company’s figures according to WLTP and may differ in actual use.
Ashley Andrew, head of Hyundai Motor UK, said that the vehicle had recorded more advance interest than any new Hyundai car the company had launched in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, its availability remains limited to European markets, as Hyundai confirmed that it has no plans to launch the IONIQ 3 in the United States.