Ioniq: From Overlooked Model to Its Own Brand

Low-end electric cars don’t get a lot of press these days, not with Silicon Valley upstarts and established OEMs rolling out mega-torque, high-zoot green vehicles at a steady clip. Yet the Hyundai Ioniq Electric has provided an alternative to the base Nissan Leaf since 2016, combining a usable-but-not-class-leading driving range with a relatively bargain basement price tag.

Joined by a super-efficient hybrid as well as a plug-in variant, the Ioniq lived in the shadow of competing nameplates its entire life. It’s bound to get more attention now, given that Cadillac Hyundai is turning the model into a brand.

Announced Sunday, the Korean automaker claims the Ioniq brand will cover three distinct electric models sharing the same E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture.

The models, slated to land starting early next year, include an initial midsize SUV called Ioniq 5. That’ll be followed up with, what else, the Ioniq 6 sedan in 2022. Coming on the heels of that introduction is the Ioniq 7, a “large” SUV due in 2024.

Hyundai claims the trio of models “will have a common theme of ‘Timeless Value’.”

“The vehicles will be inspired by past models, but they will be a bridge to the future,” the automaker stated. The first two models were foreshadowed by two concept vehicles: the 45 and Prophecy. Expect serious visual changes from the conceptual lineup seen above.

While the automaker doesn’t much much to say about the capability of these models, it did say that “highly adjustable” seats, wireless connectivity, and easy-to-use interfaces will factor into each of their cabins. Hyundai also didn’t say whether or not the Hyundai badge or name will appear on any of them, leaving some confusion as to whether this will be a true standalone brand and not a sub-brand (like the upcoming GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV).

Naming aside, the upcoming line of Ioniq EVs is part of Hyundai’s strategy to have 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025, with a global EV market share of 10 percent. A tall order.

Weirdly, Hyundai made no mention of the existing Ioniq lineup and how that trio of affordable green cars fits into the automaker’s future.

[Image: Hyundai]