An unimpressive start, but hoping it will improve to match its features
Car has nice features (typical of current model cars), and the seats were among the most comfortable of the cars I test drove (beat the socks off the seats in the other brand's hybrid that it closely resembles). I'm not extremely fond of the rear visibility, but am getting used to that. It would be nice to have the blind spot mirror on both sides, not just the driver's side, given the limited visibility through the back and the rather wide structure back there.
The acceleration is very smooth; brakes work well (altho there is a tendency to creep forward after a stop if you don't keep your foot very firmly pushing down -- far more firmly than on my previous car). I can confirm that the estimated mileage is real; I was averaging 57-58 for the first 233 miles.
The shoulder room is good; leg and head room in the back seats would not be good for a tall passenger. Love it that there are multiple ways to charge up a cell phone or other device. More cup holders than any human should need, but at least you won't run out of places to put your coffee and your water. Good integration of the panel on the dash with cell phone. (But warning: the cell phone battery gradually runs down if you pair it; not enough juice through the USB connector.)
I was prepared to give it at least 4 stars until a week ago.
Alas, 233 miles into its life, it left me stranded 50 miles from home in a small town on a Sunday, with 3 systems' warning lights on the dashboard. One, the alternator, meant I would not be wise to try to drive it 50 miles before getting it to a dealer, so I had it towed. Unfortunately, I had an elderly friend and her walker with me; she wasn't going to be hopping into the tow truck to get home. The only car rental location in town wasn't open on Sunday, so I paid $140 to get her home in a taxi. This has taken the bloom off the rose long before the new car smell faded.
The good news is that it only took from Monday morning to Wednesday morning for the shop to find and fix the electrical problem (2 loose wires). I hope that's the end of the electrical problems. I have only had the car back for a week, and I have been out of town on business for most of that time.
The bad news is that Hyundai leaves it up to the dealer whether to provide a loaner while a car is in the shop under America's Best Warranty. The dealer nearest me only provides a negotiated discount rate on a rental car. Before buying the Ioniq, I had considered not having a car, and just using rental cars, taxis, car sharing, etc., to get around. ZipCar says that's more cost-efficient if you drive fewer than 10,000 miles in a year -- which is very much true of me. I opted to buy a car for the convenience of having it right there when I wanted it. I wound up using alternative ways to get around AND looking forward to my first car payment. IMHO, Hyundai would be well advised to subsidize all dealers to provide loaners. You can't drive America's Best Warranty to the doctor's office.
So, now that I have it back from the shop, we'll see how it goes. In a year, if all goes well, some of the ratings related to last weekend's experience could improve. Or not.
Recommended
Verified Owner
