2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Rises In Range, Power And Price

Hyundai has revealed the 2020 Ioniq Electric, its compact all-electric car, with range and power up for the new model year, as well an increase to the starting price. The automaker is now offering up to 170 miles of range for the EV, a 37-percent improvement over the outgoing car, thanks to a larger battery pack.

That has risen from 28 kWh in the 2019 Ioniq Electric to 38.3 kWh in this new model. As a result, range climbs from 124 miles – and, in the process Hyundai points out, exceeds what Nissan's Leaf will get you on the road. Efficiency is 133 MPGe combined.

Range isn't the only power-related improvement. Horsepower climbs to 134 hp, while torque is 218 lb-ft. Hyundai has boosted the onboard charger, too, up from 6.6 kW to 7.2 kW as standard. Supply the 2020 Ioniq Electric with a 100 kW fast-charging connection, for example, and you're looking at an 80-percent charge in 54 minutes.

With all that, though, comes another big change. The entry-level car has been dropped, with a new 2020 Ioniq Electric SE taking its place. That starts at $33,045 (plus $995 destination), and includes Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, along with an 8-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

There's also forward collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention warnings, which the old entry trim didn't get. High beam assistance has been added, too.

The 2020 Ioniq Electric Limited, meanwhile, now comes in at $38,615 (plus $995 destination). It has the same power and range figures as its SE sibling, but throws in LED headlighs, a 10.25-inch navigation system – an option on the SE – and Harman Kardon premium audio. There's also touchscreen heating and cooling controls, and ambient interior lighting.

On the driver-assistance side, there's Highway Driving Assistance with SmartSense, lane following assistance, blind-spot collision avoidance assistance, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance. Both trims come with Hyundai's Blue Link connected car system with its counterpart smartphone app. If you need a home charger, Hyundai is partnering with Amazon Home Services to offer assessments and installation.

The new 2020 Hyundai IONIQ Electric should arrive in dealerships imminently. It's still eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, unlike some rival EVs.