Used 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is a compact hatchback with exceptional fuel economy. Especially in Blue trim, which is the least expensive version of the lineup. It’s capable of 60 mpg on the highway.

This is one of three Hyundai cars called Ioniq and it’s a conventional hybrid, like the Toyota Prius. The others are the plug-in hybrid version of this with a bigger battery and the ability to run for about 29 miles solely on electric power. And, new for 2022, is the all-electric Ioniq 5.

The 2022 Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid is covered separately, as is the Ioniq 5 EV.

If it weren’t for the possibility of drivers forgetting what happens at gas stations because they don’t visit them as much as they used to, the 2022 Ioniq Hybrid could be mistaken for a typical little runabout. It’s easy to drive and there’s no real learning curve regarding the hybrid system.

Then again, there’s no real power curve either. The Ioniq Hybrid is a steady, fuel-sipping conveyance, not a corner-carver or a freeway blaster. It provides enough energy for the usual week-in/week-out duties, although accompanied by a little tire noise.

Paddle shifters beneath the steering wheel allow drivers to change gears when they want. The 6-speed automatic transmission is pleasantly responsive. And the way the drivetrain moves between electric and gasoline propulsion is barely perceptible.

Hybrids usually have a brake energy regeneration system. This becomes part of the Hyundai Ioniq from the SE level and up. In the early days of hybrids, such systems would make the brake pedal and braking action feel slightly odd. No such problems here.

Much like the Ioniq’s exterior, the interior is mostly conventional. Although there are some sustainable materials deployed in various places, such as composites made from sugar cane, volcanic stone, recycled plastics, and wood.

The prominent feature of the Ioniq Hybrid’s dashboard is the freestanding infotainment touchscreen. Buttons and switches are kept to a minimum as much as possible and arranged tidily.

Occupant space is fine up front and acceptable in the back, considering this is a compact car. The luggage area behind the rear seats (which split and fold in 60/40 fashion) is a generous 26.5 cubic feet.

Limited trim is the range-topper, the version for buyers who want everything. One thing they can’t have, however, is wireless Apple CarPlay/Android integration. The larger touchscreen in this model requires a USB cable connection. They do, however, get wireless phone charging, a feature that becomes standard starting with the SEL trim.

Whoever designed the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid decided not to go down the Toyota Prius route of making a “green” statement. That may or may not be a good thing, depending on each person’s sensibilities. But there’s nothing advertising the fact that this is a hybrid.

Instead, the 2022 Ioniq Hybrid looks like a regular compact hatchback from a mainstream manufacturer. What it does have, however, is an aerodynamically advantageous drag coefficient of 0.24 — the same as the Toyota Prius.

The kicked-up tail has a rear spoiler housing a central brake light. The whole thing goes across the lower section of the rear window. It looks OK from the outside, but impedes the driver’s rearward vision.

BLUELINK
Available from the SE trim, this system connects the Ioniq Hybrid to the owner’s smartphone, bringing remote functions like start, lock/unlock, and cabin temperature settings.

WARRANTIES
Both the lithium-ion polymer battery and the drivetrain as a whole are covered by 10-year/100,000-mile warranties as standard. That’s a lot of reassurance.

As the most affordable new Ioniq Hybrid, the Blue version is the most basic. It has 15-inch steel wheels with plastic covers, keyless entry/start, selectable driving modes, dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows/locks, and cloth upholstery.

The infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, two USB ports, and Bluetooth.

Safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams.

Successive trim levels are SE, SEL, and Limited. SE adds (strangely) regenerative braking, paddle shifters for the transmission, heated side mirrors, aerodynamic wipers, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

SEL brings 17-inch alloy wheels, cyclist detection for the forward-collision warning system, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, lane-following assistance, LED exterior lighting, powered tilt/slide sunroof, self-dimming rearview mirror with garage door opener, and wireless charging.

Limited trim gains a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, but loses wireless smartphone integration. Other additions include Highway Driving Assist (see the Safety Technology section below), front/rear parking sensors, power-folding side mirrors with puddle lamps, leather seating surfaces, memory settings for the driver’s seat, rear climate system vents, cargo cover, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Going up in trim levels is the main way to acquire more equipment for a 2022 Ioniq Hybrid. If buyers just wanted to stay at, say, the SE level, then their choices would be things like paint color, wheel locks, and a cargo cover.

The combination of a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor energized by a lithium-ion polymer battery propels the 2022 Ioniq Hybrid with a total of 139 horsepower. Just in front of this setup are active grille shutters for optimum thermal and aerodynamic efficiency.

Front-wheel drive is the only game in town, dealt out by a 6-speed automatic transmission. And regular gasoline is perfectly fine. The 2022 Ioniq Hybrid Blue is one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market.

1.6-liter inline-4
104 horsepower @ 5,700 rpm
109 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
32-kW interior permanent magnet synchronous motor
43 horsepower, 125 lb-ft of torque
Total system output: 139 horsepower
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 54/57 mpg (Hybrid), 58/60 mpg (Blue)