Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Premium SE 2017 review

What is it?The third and final variant of the new Hyundai Ioniq hatchback is this, the plug-in hybrid.Arguably the Ioniq's strongest asset in the fight against the Toyota Prius, the plug-in offers more performance than the regular hybrid and none of the range anxiety associated with the all-electric derivatives. As such, the PHEV could very well be the sweet spot of the trio.Our first go in an Ioniq Plug-in back in May is in Germany, a country famed for its currywurst and smooth roads. Neither of these things are linked to Britain, where the second is probably good news for passengers climbing aboard after lunch, the latter has proved too hard a challenge for many a battery-laden car's suspension set-up .Glance over the specifications sheet of the Ioniq Plug-in and you'll see bold claims of 247mpg fuel economy and CO2 emissions of just 26g / km. This means you can park in certain areas for less and slip through central London without paying the congestion charge.Iconic hybrid, mating a 104bhp 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine to an electric motor, but the addition of a front-wing-mounted Type II charging socket enables the use of A larger 8.9kW battery and more potent 60bhp electric motor.

This enlarged electric system, which can be charged from a 16-amp driveway wallbox in just two hours and 15mins, can inject torque to the driveline for longer periods. So, despite having identical peak outputs of 139bhp and 195lb ft to the hybrid, the plug-in's quoted 0-62mph time is actually 0.2sec quicker at 10.6sec.

Those who dislike the revolution nature of a CVT gearbox, as used by the Prius plug-in, will be happy to hear the Ioniq drives its front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic. There are even paddles shifters behind the steering wheel.

Inside, our car - a top-spec Premium SE - comes with leather seats, steering wheel and gear, and has soft-touch plastics on the top of the dashboard. There's also a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with HD graphics as standard on all plug-in models. This features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.

What's it like?This is not a car to be hustled. From the very first mile, the plug-in exhibits the same characteristics as its siblings, being laid-back and hushed, and it always seems to be caught by surprise when asked for maximum acceleration. But this relaxed demeanour will not have come by accident, given that many buyers in this segment opt ​​for electrified models for that very reason.When fully charged, the car defaults to EV mode, where the motor does all of the work and the petrol engine only cuts into life under heavy acceleration. It's a shame that you can not opt ​​to stick with electric power for longer, because the engine kicks in well before you press the throttle kick-down button into the carpet. But even with its occasional intervention, you'll still be averaging miles per gallon that far exceeds the computer's 99.9mpg maximum readout. Hyundai claims that the batteries can offer 39 miles of range in this fashion, even though urban test brought that figure closer to 30.When left to make its own decisions in HEV mode, the electric motor does all the work when pulling away, before the petrol engine gently contributes as the speedo rolls into double digits. With gentle throttle applications it's a seamless process, but ask for more power and the engine's contribution can suddenly jolt acceleration with a gruff note to match. Keep the throttle pressed and the dual-clutch gearbox, despite being a quick-shifting, does noticeably break apart acceleration, making the Ioniq plug-in feel more conventional than the Prius and its uninterrupted progress. Drive with the flow of traffic and you'll be rewarded with urban economy of around 55mpg.

Switch the grossever across into Sport mode and the digital instrument cluster ahead turns red and swaps a speedo for a rev counter, with the speed displayed digitally beneath. The instant response of the electric motor does make the car feel quicker than the 0-62mph time suggests, but once you're rolling, progress remains at best steady. This, coupled with the car's roly-poly suspension that still manages to vibrate over road imperfections, emphasises the car's eco character.The satisfaction of the Ioniq Plug-in comes not from straining its hybrid powertrain, but from the chasing high fuel economy and maximizing range. The car's digital instrument cluster is permanently displays where energy is moving, showing when the charge is being gathered by the regenerative system and when it's depleted under acceleration. Even when you're coasting the system can collect energy reappeared when coasting down a hill for 20 seconds - showing how eco-friendly driving can have a significant impact on fuel usage in the Ionoq Plug-in .Venture onto the motorway and road noise can get rather loud, especially over concrete surfaces. The fitment of adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping help makes the scenario effortless, from a driver's point of view, and we averaged more than 80mpg on a run at the outside lane pace.And what of the passengers? They are not in the back room. Although, like in the Prius Plug-in, the space for a middle rear passenger is narrow.

Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid Premium SE

Location London, UK; On sale Now; Price £ 29,295 (£ 26,795 with government grant) Engine 4cyls in line, 1580cc, Atkinson Cycle petrol; Plus 60bhp electric motor Power 139bhp; Torque 195lb ft Gearbox 6-spd twin-clutch automatic; Kerbweight 1495kg; 0-62mph 10.6sec; Top speed 111mph; Economy 257mpg; CO2 / tax band 26g / km / 9%