Hyundai IONIQ 3
New from £22,235 / £327 p/m
Is the Hyundai IONIQ 3 Hatchback a good car?
Read our expert review
Words by: Catherine Kent
"Hyundai has a wide range of electric cars from the dinky Inster to the gigantic Ioniq 9, but while it has SUVs and crossovers aplenty, for too long a hatchback has been missing from the line-up. Now, the Ioniq 3 is here to step into the breach with striking looks, slick tech and up to 308 miles of range. Does the Hyundai have what it takes to compete with a new wave of compact, affordable electric cars including the Fiat Grande Panda, Renault 5, Geely EX2 and Cupra Raval? Having driven the competition, I think it most certainly does. The Ioniq 3 may be relatively small, but it has the composure of a much larger car, and the price makes it such good value, it’s hard to fault."
Green Rating
The Ioniq 3 qualifies for the full Electric Car Grant of £3,750, meaning the government thinks it’s got greener creds than many. Hyundai is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2045 and its European, North American and Indian plants either run on 100 per cent renewable energy already or match their consumption with renewable electricity (the Ioniq 3 is built in Turkey). In 2025 83 per cent of Hyundai’s models had a lifecycle analysis and Hyundai conducts audits and risk assessments for its suppliers including those supplying cobalt and copper in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nickel suppliers in Indonesia. Additionally, Hyundai has been partnering with marine conservation organisation Healthy Seas since 2021 to support the removal of discarded fishing nets and plastic from the oceans. Recovered plastic is then recycled into nylon used to make floor mats.
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Running costs for a Hyundai IONIQ 3
Electric cars are becoming more affordable, but the Ioniq 3 takes this to new levels once the £3,750 Electric Car Grant is applied – it even undercuts the much smaller Inster. If you weren’t already sold on making the switch, consider how a mild hybrid Fiat 500 will set you back a similar amount to the Ioniq 3 and by comparison the Hyundai feels like it comes from an entirely different era. Plus, if you can charge at home, it could cost less than a pumpkin spice latte to charge on a dedicated off-peak energy tariff. Sadly, public charging will be drastically more expensive, but the Ioniq 3 has been designed with efficiency in mind so hopefully you won’t need to top-up on the go very often. I test drove the long-range N-Line Evo model, which was showing around just under 4 miles/kWh and suggested a real-world range of around 244 miles, just shy of the official 265-mile figure for this trim level. When you do need to stop, charging from 10 to 80 per cent will take around half an hour.
Reliability of a Hyundai IONIQ 3
The Ioniq 3 shares its underpinnings with other models from Hyundai and its sister brand Kia. Both brands have strong reputations for reliability and offer reassuringly long warranties which go beyond the average standard cover – Hyundai provides a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty, while Kia offers seven-year/100,000-miles of cover. Meanwhile the battery gets its own eight years/100,000 miles of cover for extra peace of mind.
Safety for a Hyundai IONIQ 3
All cars come with a generous array of safety features and refreshingly the Ioniq 3 doesn’t tell you off too much. Unlike many of the new cars I’ve driven recently, it would let me check my mirrors without scolding me for looking away from the road – rejoice! I didn’t feel motivated to deactivate the driving aids, but if you do find the systems overly nannying, a simple press and hold of a button on the steering wheel mutes unwanted bings and bongs. I like how all cars come with blind spot monitoring warnings in the mirrors, and with higher-grade models you get extra little warnings in the driver display and a camera view down the side of the car on the central screen. Plus, there are proper buttons for all the important things, so you’ll rarely need to delve into the touch-screen while on the move.
How comfortable is the Hyundai IONIQ 3
The Ioniq 3 is a small car, but it punches above its weight when it comes to comfort and space. It feels much more substantial than a Fiat Grande Panda or Citroën ë-C3 <span>and it is much more composed out on the road – even over the crumbing surfaces I encountered on my test drive around Istanbul. While Turkish driving was at times chaotic, the inside of the Ioniq 3 was a calming place to be, particularly in my range-topping test car with laminated front and rear windows and an acoustic windscreen to block out the outside world. You’ll gain more creature comforts as you move up the grades with Ultimate and N-Line Evo models have heated front seats, electric lumbar support for the driver and the option of a Comfort Pack which adds reclining relaxation front seats with ventilation. In the back, legroom is fine, but headroom is not particularly generous especially in the middle seat which is raised compared to the outer two. It’s also a bit gloomy back there, even with the panoramic roof fitted to my car, and the dark headlining in sporty N-Line Evo version doesn't help matters. However, the boot is suitably roomy with a large ‘Megabox’ under the false floor providing extra room for charging cables and other odds and ends.</span>
Features of the Hyundai IONIQ 3
I’ll be honest, my heart sank when I first read the Ioniq 3 had a “smartphone-inspired user interface” as so many brands miss the mark when it comes to balancing Tesla-like minimalism with ease of use. However, thankfully, Hyundai has nailed the brief with its clean and uncluttered Android-based Pleos Connect system. The graphics prioritise function over frills, plus the row of physical toggles along the bottom of the screen paired with the tactile steering wheel controls means you aren’t constantly forced to take your eyes off the road. All models are well-equipped with features including keyless entry, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and dual-zone automatic climate control. I’d still recommend upgrading from the entry-level model, though, as higher grades get a digital driver display, so you don’t need to rely on the central screen to see how fast you are going. Moving up the trim levels you’ll gain other useful bits and bobs including a larger touch-screen, a wireless phone charger, battery pre-conditioning tech, and the option of a heat-pump to improve efficiency in cold weather. The sportier N-Line Evo model gets a meaner look with a bespoke black grille and rear diffuser, larger wheels and a bigger rear spoiler – just note this will reduce your maximum range.
Power for a Hyundai IONIQ 3
The entry-level Ioniq 3 gets the choice of two batteries: a standard-range option with an official range of 213 miles or a long-range battery providing just over 300 miles on a full charge. Meanwhile, higher-grade cars all get the larger battery and range varies depending on the trim you choose. No configuration of Ioniq 3 will win you any bragging rights for performance, and even the sporty N-Line Evo grade doesn’t have the punch to back up its more aggressive looks. However, it is still nippy enough around town with enough left in reserve to allow you to confidently join motorways. I particularly like how easy it is to cycle through the three levels of regenerative braking using the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel and the physical button for switching driving modes is a welcome addition, too. If you are after hot-hatch thrills, the efficiency-focused Ioniq 3 is not for you, but it is easy, smooth and predictable to drive, so it should be a doddle to live with.
Lease deals
These deals are based on terms of 8,000 miles, for a 36 month lease with a 6 months initial payment.
From
£463
Per month
£3,022 total upfront
(inc. £245 processing fee)
36 month contract
8,000 miles p/a
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- Hatchback
- Electric
- Automatic
From
£483
Per month
£3,139 total upfront
(inc. £245 processing fee)
36 month contract
8,000 miles p/a
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- Hatchback
- Electric
- Automatic
From
£506
Per month
£3,281 total upfront
(inc. £245 processing fee)
36 month contract
8,000 miles p/a
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- Hatchback
- Electric
- Automatic
From
£445
Per month
£2,910 total upfront
(inc. £245 processing fee)
36 month contract
8,000 miles p/a
- 5 seats
- 5 doors
- Hatchback
- Electric
- Automatic
Standard equipment
Expect the following equipment on your Hyundai IONIQ 3 Hatchback. This may vary between trim levels.
- 12.9in Infotainment
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 16in Alloy Wheels
- Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist - BCA
- Cruise Control - Smart Cruise Control - SCC with Stop and Go Function
- FCA - Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
- Parking Sensors - Front and Rear
- Rear View Camera
- Climate Control - Dual Zone
- Rear View Monitor
- Seats - 60-40 Split Sliding and Reclining Second Row
- Dusk Sensor
- Electric Parking Brake
- Lane Follow Assist - LFA
- Lane Keep Assist - LKA
- Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist - RCCA
- Smart Key - Keyless Entry with Engine Start-Stop Button
- High Beam Assist
- LED Headlights
- LED Taillights
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Your questions answered
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Contract Hire ('Leasing') is subject to status and approval and is only available to UK residents aged 18 and over. Vehicle must be returned with no more than fair wear and tear to avoid further charges. You will not own the vehicle. Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply.
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