2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid

On paper, the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid seems to offer many beneficial qualities, and to some extent, it does. The PHEV offers a decent 29-mile all-electric range and both hybrids are exceptionally fuel-efficient. That EV-mode range and exceptional fuel economy make it ideal for the urban setting. The hatchback also boasts a fairly well-built cabin and is presented with a nice selection of standard and available features and safety systems. It carries a good safety rating and high reliability expectations according to the NHTSA and IIHS's review of the 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and J.D. Power's evaluation, respectively. Its cargo hatch is also appreciably spacious, but this is where the good qualities end.

The 1.6-liter hybridized motor severely lacks power and the transmission is really listless, both contributing to a rather mundane and sometimes frustrating driving experience. The hatchback is slow and handles disappointingly for such a small FWD runabout, which is all just made worse by its shoddy ride quality. Plus, despite the cabin being fairly well-made, it still looks and feels cheap because of the second-rate materials used and cost-cutting measures.

We feel the Toyota Prius, which boasts a more refined ride quality, higher-quality cabin, and better selection of standard features is the better option here. The 2021 Ioniq Hybrid hatchback is still in its first-generational cycle though. Whether Hyundai will present the USA with an all-new model is unknown, but probably unlikely considering the boom in popularity for larger 5-door vehicles.

For what the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is, we'd suggest going for the most affordable option, which just so happens to also be the most economical option from the line. The price of this 2021 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid model comes in at $23,400, which is very attractive considering just how little you'll also be paying for fuel over the time you own the Ioniq Blue. In terms of features, the Blue doesn't come with the best array of features but it's still a value-rich budget vehicle. On the outside, it sports automatic projector headlights with high-beam assist, basic styling, and 15-inch alloy wheels. On the inside, you get an up-to-the-minute eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with full smartphone connectivity, and there is dual-zone automatic climate control. The standard safety suite is good, too, and includes forward-collision avoidance, lane-keep assistance, a backup camera, and a driver-attention system.