Everything You Need to Know About Hyundai Electric Cars

Hyundai is regularly updating their electric car lineup, from the discontinued IONIQ Electric to the highly-anticipated upcoming IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 7.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In 2016,
Hyundai
introduced the IONIQ Electric, the world’s first car to offer three electrified powertrains—hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric. This was followed in 2018 by the launch of the Kona Electric, Europe’s first all-electric subcompact SUV.
Hyundai is a brand known for its remarkable ability to combine value with substance. When you invest in a Hyundai, you can be sure that you’re getting a lot of car with your money. The brand’s lineup of electric vehicles is no exception—with a Hyundai, you can make a choice that’s great for the planet without sacrificing your driving experience.
Jerry
—a licensed
car insurance
broker and the first
super app
for car owners—has compiled this handy guide containing all of the details about Hyundai’s electric cars. We’ll walk you through current EV offerings, compare them to what else is on the market, and even help you find affordable car insurance for your new electric vehicle. 
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Does Hyundai have electric cars?

Yes—in addition to a large variety of hybrid and plug-in hybrid options, Hyundai currently offers three fully-electric vehicles: the Kona Electric, the IONIQ 5, and the IONIQ Electric. The IONIQ Electric will be discontinued as of 2022, however—but the company has plans to release the IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 7 in the near future. 

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric

Starting price: $35,245
Powertrain: A 201-hp electric motor drives the front wheels and is powered by a 64.0-kWh battery pack, together offering 290 lb-ft of torque. 
Driving range: 258 miles 
Charging time: Level II home outlets will bring your vehicle from 10% to 100% in approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes. Level III 50 kW Quick Charge stations will take you from 10% to 80% in about 64 minutes, and Level III 100kW Quick Charge stations will do the same in about 47 minutes.
The 2022 Kona Electric is the all-electric counterpart to Hyundai’s well-loved subcompact SUV. It offers a competitive estimated driving range while remaining fun to drive. You’ll love the perky acceleration and spry handling, as well as its top-notch technology, including a Hyundai Digital Key, wireless device charging, and giant fully-digital screens. 
With the Kona Electric, you can skip out on the gas pump and the oil changes, and instead power up your vehicle by plugging in at home, work, or one of the growing number of electric charging stations around town. The SUV even has regenerative braking, which allows your brakes to convert energy into electric power, recharging your car’s battery and creating additional range! 
Choose between two trims: the SEL, which offers plenty of standard must-have features, or the Limited, a premium option that treats you with an abundance of high-end options. 

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5

Starting price: $41,195
Powertrain: This electric-only powertrain is available with multiple potencies. The standard-range battery paired with a single, rear-mounted motor generates 168 horsepower, while the longer-range battery paired with a rear-drive configuration offers 225 horsepower. Upgrade to all-wheel drive for 320 horses. 
Driving range: 220 miles (standard range), 303 miles (longer-range), or 256 miles (all-wheel drive)
Charging time: Plug into a DC fast charger to go from 10% to 80% battery in around 18 minutes (or add 68 miles in range) or, fully charge via an at-home charger in 6.75 hours.
Hyundai’s 2022 IONIQ 5 killed it at the 2022 World Car Awards—taking home the titles of World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year, and World Electric Vehicle of the Year. This top-notch compact crossover may be hard to find, however—it has extremely limited availability at select dealers in select states only. 
There are three available trims—the SE, the SEL, and the Limited—each offering advanced technology, futuristic styling, and a versatile and eco-friendly interior. You’ll love the tech-centric dashboard, reclining front seats with footrests, and generous passenger space. 
Hyundai calls the IONIQ 5 the beginning of their new EV series and intends to use the vehicle as a springboard for future all-electric models. The IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 7 are anticipated for 2023 and 2024, respectively. 

2021 Hyundai IONIQ Electric

Starting price: $34,250
Powertrain: Single electric motor putting out 134 horsepower via the front wheels through a single-speed direct-drive transmission.
Driving range: 170 miles
Charging time: Fully recharge in six hours on an at-home 240 V connection or use a 100-kW fast-charging station to go from 0% to 80% in just 54 minutes.
This all-electric hatchback was discontinued for the 2022 model year, but the 2021 model is still available to purchase brand-new. Additionally, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the IONIQ remain available this year.
The 2021 Hyundai IONIQ isn’t flashy or exciting—instead, it prioritizes efficiency. It looks smart and sophisticated, much like Hyundai’s gas-powered lineup, and has a practical and roomy interior. 
The car’s high-capacity lithium-ion polymer battery system comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile guarantee. The IONIQ also comes with Hyundai SmartSense, which includes features like forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, high beam assist, driver attention warning, lane following assist, blind-spot collision warning, smart cruise control, and more! 
These features earned the IONIQ a 10 Best Electric Cars award from Autotrader in 2021. 

How do Hyundai’s electric cars compare to competitors?

To decide if Hyundai’s electric cars are right for you, it’s important to consider them in comparison to some popular competitors. 
The 2021 Hyundai IONIQ is quite similar to the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt EV. In terms of price, the IONIQ falls in the middle of the pack, with the Leaf being the most affordable option. Hyundai’s hatchback offers a range of features that simply aren’t available in the Nissan and Chevy counterparts, though—including highway driving assist, smart cruise control, and a 10-year/100,000 powertrain limited warranty. 
Hyundai’s 2022 Kona Electric fairs similarly when put up against the 2022 MINI Electric. While the Kona’s starting MSRP is about $4,100 higher, it crushes the MINI in terms of driving range and available features. 
For an SUV that truly stands out from the crowd, go with the IONIQ 5. Not only is it cheaper than the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 and the Ford Mach-E—it schools both when it comes to high-tech standard and available features. 

Driving range and charging time

If you’re thinking of investing in an electric vehicle, there are two stats you need to consider above all else—driving range, which estimates how far your vehicle can go on a single charge, and charging time, which estimates how long you’ll need to power up your vehicle. 
Here’s how Hyundai’s three electric models stack up against the competition:
Model
Driving range
Charging time at 220v
Charging time w DC fast charger
2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5
220-303 miles
6 hrs
10-80% in 18 min
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
258 miles
10 hrs
10-80% in 75 min
2022 Hyundai IONIQ
170 miles
6 hrs
10-80% in 54 min
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
247-317 miles
11.4 hrs
10-80% in 45 min
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
230-300 miles
14 hrs
15-80% in 40 min
2022 Ford E-Transit
126 miles
8 hrs
15-80% in 34 min
2022 Kia EV6
310 miles
7 hrs
10-80% in 18 mins
2022 Kia Niro EV
239 miles
9 hrs
10-80% in 1 hr
2022 Volkswagen ID.4
280 miles
7.5 hrs
0-80% in 38 min
2022 Tesla Model Y
303-330 miles
10 hrs
10-80% in 22 min
2022 Tesla Model X
335-351 miles
6.5-10 hrs
10-80% in under 30 min
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Performance

If you’re used to a robust V6 or V8 engine, switching to an electric vehicle may feel like a step down in terms of power and performance. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be! Plenty of electric vehicles offer speed, power, and reliability. 
In terms of long-term reliability, it’s a bit too soon to evaluate Hyundai’s electric models, since they were all just launched in the last four to six years. However, Hyundai received a general reliability ranking of 4.0 out of 5.0 from J.D. Power, so it’s safe to assume that the EV models will follow suit. 
When it comes to power and speed, here’s how Hyundai’s EVs compare to other electric vehicles:
Model
Maximum horsepower
Maximum torque
0 to 60 time
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
320 hp
446 lb-ft
4.5 seconds
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric
201 hp
290 lb-ft
6.4 seconds
2021 Hyundai IONIQ
139 hp
218 lb-ft
8.4 seconds
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E
480 hp
634 lb-ft
5.1 seconds
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
563 hp
775 lb-ft
est. 4.5 seconds
2022 Ford E-Transit
266 hp
317 lb-ft
N/A
2022 Kia EV6
576 hp
446 lb-ft
4.5 seconds
2022 Kia Niro EV
201 hp
291 lb-ft
6.2 seconds
2022 Volkswagen ID.4
295 hp
339 lb-ft
5.4 seconds
2022 Tesla Model Y
est. 480 hp
375 lb-ft
3.6 seconds
2022 Tesla Model X
1,020 hp
713 lb-ft
3.3 seconds

Cost of ownership

Another major concern—when it comes to purchasing any new vehicle—is affordability. As is the case with many car makes, Hyundai’s electric models tend to be a bit pricier than their gas-powered counterparts. For example, the IONIQ 5 has a starting price of $44,000, while a brand new hybrid Santa Fe starts at $34,300 and the all-gas model starts at $27,700
But sticker price is just one factor to consider when assessing a vehicle’s affordability—especially when thinking about electric cars. EVs typically see lower fuel and maintenance costs than vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. You can also qualify for federal tax credits and other
electric car incentives
that further offset ownership costs.
Take a look at the estimated five-year ownership costs of a 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric, assuming you drive about 13,500 to 15,000 miles per year: 
  • Insurance: $7,095
  • Maintenance: $1,224 
  • Taxes and fees:$3,358
  • Financing: $5,098 
  • Depreciation: $20,632
  • Fuel: $2,163
  • Tax credit: -$7,500
Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates and could vary greatly—for example, your financing rate and insurance costs depend largely on your credit and driving history. You may also qualify for state electric vehicle incentives in addition to the federal tax credit. Finally, the cost of repairs—in the event that something on your vehicle breaks—is always a cost of ownership to consider.
By our estimates, however, the
Hyundai Kona
Electric is one of the more affordable EVs on the market. Two other affordable options include the
Chevy Bolt
, which starts at $32,495, and the
Nissan Leaf
at just $28,425. However, these options are much smaller in size—making the Kona a great bang for its buck.
MORE: Are there hidden costs of owning an electric vehicle?

How to decide if going electric is right for you

Hyundai truly offers some great EV options, but even the best electric vehicles won’t suit every driver’s needs. Before heading to the dealer for a test drive, you’ll need to seriously consider if an electric vehicle is right for you.
Don’t say goodbye to gas before asking yourself the following questions:
  • Do you have access to public charging stations? Of course, you’ll likely charge your vehicle primarily at home—but having access to public charging stations is also essential. Does your town have many of these? If so, are they accessible to you during your normal routine?
  • How many miles do you drive each day? You don’t want to induce anxiety every time you drive your vehicle. If your daily driving is near the EV’s total driving range, switching to electric could be a major headache. However, if you drive well under the total driving range, you can be sure you’ll have smooth sailing.
  • How often do you go on trips over 200-300 miles? For long trips, you’ll have to make charging stops along the way. While this is very possible to coordinate on occasional road trips, it could be an annoyance if you find yourself on the road on the regular.
  • Do you have a garage at home? Street parking and at-home electric charging stations don’t really mix—you’ll need a garage to install your charging station and plug in your vehicle.
  • Do you need a vehicle with towing capacity? While Hyundai’s electric SUVs do have some towing capacity, it’s important to note that the added weight will significantly lower your total driving range.
If you answered these questions and still think an electric vehicle could be right for you, great! The benefits of owning an EV include a $7,500 federal tax credit, the potential for additional rebates and incentives from your state and local governments, lower operating costs, and a smooth, quiet ride. You’ll be driving the most eco-friendly vehicle option, too! 
Of course, electric vehicles do tend to be a bit more expensive upfront, and you’ll have to get used to a new time-consuming routine of regular charging. 
If you want the best of both worlds, consider one of Hyundai’s many hybrid or plug-in hybrid options. The IONIQ comes in both options, as well as other larger sedans like the Elantra and Sonata. You’ll also find hybrid SUVs like the Tucson and Santa Fe.

Hyundai’s electric future

While the IONIQ was discontinued for the 2022 model year, Hyundai already has two new all-electric vehicles planned for their future lineup. The IONIQ 6 debuted in 2022 and will hit showrooms in 2023, with an estimated MSRP of $42,000. Its 300+ miles of driving range will compete with Tesla’s Model 3. The Hyundai IONIQ 7 is predicted for 2024, with an estimated MSRP of $50,000. 

Plan for the future with affordable car insurance

As Hyundai continues to make electric vehicle advancements—and society becomes more and more EV-friendly—you’ll find owning an electric car to become easier and easier. Who knows what money-saving technology the future will bring!
When it comes to shopping for car insurance, however, the future is already here. At least, when you shop with
Jerry
Jerry is the easiest and most effective way to find a car insurance policy that is customized for you. It takes less than a minute to sign up, and you’ll be presented with competitive rates from dozens of top providers. Don’t lose coverage—find savings with Jerry. 
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