The IONIQ Electric is Hyundai’s compact hatchback, sold from 2016 to 2022 beside hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the same model. It remains one of the most efficient electric cars ever built, with a 2021 car now advertised below £10,000. We explain the two batteries, battery recalls, realistic range and prices to pay. You will find a print-out checklist at the end.
- Best buy: a 2020-2022 38.3 kWh car at about £9,500 to £11,500: roughly 140-150 miles in mild weather using our cautious estimate (owners often achieve more), with very low running costs.
- Check before you buy: that the battery recalls are done. Until they are, Hyundai advises parking the car outside or somewhere well ventilated.
- Watch out for write-offs: roughly one in five adverts declares the car as Cat S or Cat N.
- Think twice if you need a large boot or a car for regular long motorway journeys: the roof is low and the battery small.
Which IONIQ Electric are you looking at?
Check the battery size in the advert to identify the car:
| Version | Battery | Power | Home charging |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-2019 | 28 kWh | 88 kW | 6.6 kW |
| 2019-2022 | 38.3 kWh | 100 kW | 7.2 kW |
The 2019 update introduced a new front end too. Both battery versions were sold in Premium or Premium SE trim. The 38.3 kWh car’s official range is 193 miles. Nearly every advertised car has the 38.3 kWh battery. Complete specifications are on the IONIQ Electric page.
Realistic range
Our estimate for a typical 38.3 kWh car uses the battery-ageing model applied throughout the rest of EVcarsguide:
| Car | Summer | Year-round | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 38.3 kWh | 144 miles | 127 miles | 107 miles |
| 2022 38.3 kWh | 150 miles | 132 miles | 111 miles |
These deliberately cautious estimates assume mild-weather range of about 85% of the official figure with a healthy battery. The IONIQ often exceeds them: its shape is unusually aerodynamic, and 38.3 kWh owners report 180 to 210 miles during warmer months and comfortably over 140 in winter. Owners with 28 kWh cars report around 110 to 150 miles, dropping nearer 100 in a cold winter.
Battery Health Estimator
Estimated condition if buying used
NMC chemistry - good longevity with proper charging habits
Estimates based on battery chemistry and age. Chemistry-based estimate. Actual health varies with charging habits, climate, and usage.
Charging
Rapid charging uses the CCS connector. Owners say the 28 kWh version is the quicker of the two, reaching up to about 70 kW with a sufficiently fast charger; the 38.3 kWh model charges more slowly. For charging at home, the 38.3 kWh car accepts 7.2 kW, sufficient for an overnight fill using a wallbox.
The battery and its warranty
Hyundai provides cover for the high-voltage battery for 8 years or 125,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Owners report little battery degradation, including on high-mileage cars. Cover starts at first registration:
- Registered 2017: battery cover to 2025 (ended)
- Registered 2018: battery cover to 2026 (ends this year)
- Registered 2019: battery cover to 2027
- Registered 2020: battery cover to 2028
- Registered 2021: battery cover to 2029
- Registered 2022: battery cover to 2030
Recalls
Prioritise the battery recalls. Check both have been completed:
- Battery cells (R/2026/159): 8,299 cars made from December 2018 to July 2022, covering essentially every 38.3 kWh car. A voltage deviation in some of the cells could cause a short circuit inside the battery. The remedy is a software update or, where necessary, a replacement battery. Until completion, Hyundai recommends parking outside or in a well-ventilated space.
- Battery short circuit (R/2021/087): 38.3 kWh cars made June 2019 to January 2020, sharing a recall with Kona Electric. Charge level is limited initially, followed by battery replacement.
- Accelerator (R/2022/004): 1,139 cars produced between January 2016 and June 2019 (the 28 kWh version). The accelerator may respond incorrectly when fully released. The remedy combines updated software with an additional earth cable on the motor.
- Power control unit coolant (R/2018/103): 148 early cars produced between October 2016 and March 2017.
Check the specific car on GOV.UK’s recall checker and request the car’s recall history from a Hyundai dealer.
Safety
Euro NCAP awarded the IONIQ five stars in 2016.
What owners report
From 36 owner and buyer threads covering both batteries:
- Efficiency: by far the clearest source of praise. Owners frequently achieve 5 miles per kWh or more, and motorway speeds affect range less than in most small EVs.
- Battery health: owners describe little or no lost range after several years and tens of thousands of miles. A small number report high-voltage battery faults that immobilised the car, with costly repairs once outside warranty.
- Recalls and software: 38.3 kWh owners describe lengthy waits for battery recall work, plus software that removes their off-peak charging settings.
- 12V battery: several owners describe a flat 12V battery immobilising the car, preceded by confusing warning messages.
- Practicality: the low roof and sloping tailgate reduce the boot’s usefulness compared with its quoted size, while the cabin is plainer than competitors’.
What to pay
Almost all electric IONIQs advertised have the 38.3 kWh battery, so we divide the table by registration year. The few 28 kWh examples are advertised at about £6,500 to £9,000.
| Cars | Share of adverts | Median asking | Typical range | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38.3 kWh, 2020 | 26% | £9,500 | £8,345–£11,330 | 52,355 |
| 38.3 kWh, 2021 | 26% | £9,850 | £8,995–£11,099 | 42,000 |
| 38.3 kWh, 2022 | 36% | £11,500 | £9,937–£12,118 | 30,278 |
Treat these figures as asking prices rather than valuations. Around one in five adverts declares a write-off. A Cat S or Cat N example should cost considerably less, and check Hyundai carried out any battery or high-voltage repairs.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have both battery recalls been done?
- Does the vehicle history check show any insurance write-off, and are details of any repairs available?
- Has it had any battery or 12V faults?
- Which charging cables are included, and can the seller demonstrate that they work with this car?
The print-out checklist
Bring this to the viewing for IONIQ-specific checks. Our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks relevant to every used electric car.
Alternatives worth a look
- Hyundai Kona Electric: more range from a bigger battery in a small SUV. See our used Kona Electric guide.
- Nissan Leaf: the most common used EV, with a bigger boot. See our used Leaf guide.
- Volkswagen e-Golf: a similar-sized hatchback with similar range. See our used e-Golf guide.
- Kia e-Niro: the Kona’s cousin with a bigger boot. See our used e-Niro guide.
Unsure whether it meets your driving needs? The EV Matchmaker matches the car against your own week, while the Used EV Finder shows the alternatives available within your budget.
Sources & further reading
- Hyundai UK
- Euro NCAP
- GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled
Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.
