Hyundai has just announced fuel economy numbers for their 2017 Ioniq Hybrid, and the numbers are impressive. The all-new model will have the best-rated fuel economy of any new car, hybrid or not, getting as good as 4.1 L/100 km combined.
That's for the super-eco Blue model, which forgoes some creature comforts to save weight and save more fuel. Only plug-in hybrid models (which use extended periods of all-electric operation to lower their overall gas use) and battery-electric models (no gas whatsoever) are rated lower than the Ioniq Hybrid. So the Ioniq takes the new generation Toyota Prius liftback's place as the most fuel efficient vehicle without a plug.
The SE and Limited trims of the Ioniq that we expect to make up most of the sales volume don't do much worse at 4.4 L/100 km combined. That still beats the second-best Prius. The full figures for the Blue are 4.2 city and an amazing 4.0 highway. The SE and Limited trims sip fuel at 4.3/4.4 L/100 km city/highway. That means that an Ioniq Blue could drive the 450 km from Toronto City hall to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on just 18 litres of gas, if the official Natural Resources Canada numbers hold up in the real world.
The Ioniq uses a 1.6L Atkinson cycle gas engine and a 43 hp electric motor to make a total system power of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the CVT of most hybrids, it uses a six-speed dual-clutch automatic to send power to the front wheels. The Ioniq will start arriving at dealers around the country in hybrid and full electric forms by March, with the plug-in hybrid version planned for this fall as a 2018 model.
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