Hyundai's IONIQ Makes So Much Sense I Can't Believe They Haven't Made It Yet

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Hyundai announced Monday it would bring back silliness to car names and make the world’s first hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicle available in the same body, catering decadently to an individual’s fondness for electrons.

The Ioniq — which sounds like it’s spelled — will be unveiled January in South Korea and later next year in Geneva and New York. It will go on sale next year.

According to the automaker, Ioniq is the type of car people have been asking for: a model named after slightly obfuscated common words to fit with an over-stretched marketing philosophy rather than alphanumeric letters and symbols that require no creativity whatsoever. (God, I miss the Integra.)

Hyundai released a teaser image Monday that will undoubtedly be followed by a production sneak snapped by a Samsung flip phone inside a factory soon.

No powertrain information was offered from Hyundai, other than the car would be offered with either hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric powertrains. The car’s batteries will be powered by lithium-ion cells, according to Hyundai, following suit with other automakers such as Toyota that’s begun moving from nickel-metal hydride cells in hybrid cars.

According to Hyundai, the Ioniq will be on an all-new platform for the automaker.

It’s also clear from the photo that we’re probably looking at a Volt-esque hatchback, but the car clearly doesn’t have the same roofline as Kia’s newly announced Niro.

Not that one.

That one.

When it’s released, the Hyundai Ioniq will be the next in a long line of great, wonderful cars with slightly made-up names such as the Chevrolet Lumina, Buick Reatta, Oldsmobile Bravada and Alero.

Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Dec 07, 2015

    Well, I'm very interested. Price them all at $35k and make them all hit 60 mph in 8 seconds. Then pick your lifestyle, and this product is a winner: EV: 150 miles range PHEV: 50 miles EV, 450 miles gas Hybrid: 42/50/46 MPG Obviously these are just guesses, but I think they'd make for a compelling model line. Advertisements could depict whole families that have one of each in their driveway, suitable for different purposes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPs20IE9Y-A

    • Bd2 Bd2 on Dec 07, 2015

      Think Kia made the smarter move by going with the crossover body-style even if it costs them a little in MPG and range. The Bolt is interesting as well, but GM should have gone with larger Voltec crossover (something that is at least a compact in size). $35k would be steep for the hybrid version; needs to be around the price of the Sonata hybrid, if not lower.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Dec 08, 2015

    My cashier at Target the other day was name Ioniq. Pure class.

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