HYUNDAI IONIQ ELECTRIC & HYBRID MAXIMUM RANGE CHALLENGE

EV Channels Review

The Straight Pipes team undertakes an ambitious 1000km round trip challenge from Toronto to Ottawa in both the 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Electric and Hybrid. The primary focus is on real-world range and the practicalities of charging an EV versus refueling a hybrid. The EV segment highlights significant range anxiety and the often cumbersome nature of finding and utilizing Level 2 and Level 3 charging stations, which frequently require multiple apps and can involve lengthy waits. The reviewers express a preference for the electric Ioniq's driving dynamics and futuristic feel, despite the charging challenges. The hybrid, while less exciting, proves more practical for long distances due to its established refueling infrastructure. Both reviewers found the interior materials, particularly the stalks, to feel cheap. The challenge ultimately reveals the Ioniq Electric's 200km range is achievable but requires meticulous planning and patience, while the Ioniq Hybrid demonstrates its capability for longer journeys with minimal disruption, though it fell just short of its claimed 1000km range on a single tank, running out approximately 40km shy.