First drive the Hyundai Ioniq 3 sets a new benchmark for affordable EVs

Date:
Sun, 25 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
Hyundais new budget EV is giving Chinese rivals something to think about.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Not so long ago, you could have compared Hyundai (and sister company Kia) to the numerous Chinese newcomers currently wreaking havoc on the new car market.

The pair did to the legacy automakers what the Chinese are doing now, in so much as they undercut prices with exceptional value propositions. How times have changed, as both Korean marques now offer luxurious electric vehicles that cost upwards of 70,000 / $70,000 / AU$130,000 and are now synonymous
with quality, innovation and cutting-edge design. Latest Videos From
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However, these companies also now find themselves fending off cut-price competition from the Far East .

Not one to back down, Hyundai is ploughing on with its plans to be one of the leading electric vehicle manufacturers in the world, promising to launch or update 100 models by the year 2030. You may like The best EVs I've driven in 2026 from Honda to Hyundai Ive driven the new Cupra Raval and its proof that the hot hatch can live on in the EV era Return of the hot hatch heroes I drove the Kia EV4 and Peugeot E-208 GTi (Image credit: Hyundai) Spearheading that campaign is the new Ioniq 3 a fully electric compact hatchback that Hyundai says is designed to make electrified mobility intuitive, comfortable and relevant for everyday European needs.

To do this, it is offering highly competitive all-electric range, punchy performance and distinctive looks in a package that can easily be threaded through busy city streets and parked in typically tight urban spaces. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

But above all this is the exceptional value proposition. In the UK, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 starts at 18,495 after the full 3,750 Electric Car Grant (that's around $25,000 / AU$35,000), slotting it in among some of the most affordable EVs on the market today, without the tech and space compromises of something like the super cheap Dacia Spring , Honda Super-N or Leapmotor T03. Tech-cellent value (Image credit: Hyundai) It might seem odd that one of Hyundais cheapest vehicles is also the first to sport Hyundais all-new Pleos infotainment system, but the technological update has helped keep costs down.

Gone is the sweeping (and more expensive) multi-screen array found in other models, such as the Ioniq 5 , and in its place is either a 12.9-inch or 14.6-inch central touchscreen (depending on the trim level) that is based on the now ubiquitous Android Automotive Operating System . What to read next I tested the Volvo EX60 and BMW iX3 and range anxiety is officially dead Hyundai beats Tesla in world's biggest EV battery study over 500,000 tests
The UKs cheapest EV just got bigger, faster and smarter but Dacia could lose its cut-price crown

Zero points for guessing which company Pleos clearly drew a huge amount of inspiration from, as the graphical layout is almost identical to a Tesla, complete with the ability to adjust the on-screen set-up with a few intuitive swipes. (Image credit: Hyundai)

Zero points for guessing which company Pleos clearly drew a huge amount of inspiration from Theres a graphical representation of the car on the left of the screen that can open the trunk and windows (like Tesla), navigation to
the right (like Tesla) and a read-out for current speed in the corner closest to the driver (you guessed it, just like Tesla).

Homework copying aside, Pleos isnt as handsome as other Hyundai set-ups, as
it feels a little bolted on to the dash.

But it all works seamlessly, is very fast to respond and is an improvement in so much as it offers much more detailed connected navigation with EV route planning, over-the-air software updates and access to the Pleos App Market, which will grow as the weeks pass.

Weirdly, Hyundai has also opted to offer a second digital driver display, which sits behind the steering wheel, as an optional extra.

Some corners of the internet lost their minds over this, forgetting that
Tesla has relied solely on its central infotainment display for years. (Image credit: Hyundai) So, if you prefer your speed read-outs in a position where you dont have to take your eyes off the road, it could be worth ticking that option box.

Hyundai also introduces Gleo AI with the new infotainment system, an AI-powered voice assistant integrated into Pleos Connect.

It uses natural-language commands to control selected vehicle functions, access information and interact with connected services.

During testing, it worked very well, able to make the cabin warmer via chatty conversation and even interact with third-party apps, such as Spotify.

Theres also the option of Hyundai Digital Key 2, which allows compatible smartphones and wearable devices to lock, unlock and start the car without a physical key, while a dedicated app provides remote access to vehicle information and selected functions through a smartphone.

Despite the price, customers arent getting short-changed on the technology front and here, it feels like Hyundai has poured hours of dev work into the Ioniq 3 to make sure its all intuitive and easy to figure out which cant be said for many cut-price Chinese rivals. Styled to stand out (Image credit: Hyundai) Hyundais decision to combine its Art of Steel design language with what the company calls an Aero Hatch silhouette is likely to raise eyebrows and cause some debate over whether or not it actually works, but this is a
car that demands attention whichever side of the argument you sit on.

The shape pairs a low front end with a roofline designed to maximize headroom for front and rear passengers before tapering toward the rear spoiler.

Hyundai said it targeted a drag coefficient of approximately 0.263 in order
to boost EV efficiency, while the companys signature pixel lighting and four central dots referencing the letter H in Morse code give the car a
distinctive visual identity when its dark. (Image credit: Hyundai) Divisive exterior design aside, theres plenty of room inside the car. The Furnished Space approach of the concept has taken a bit of a backseat, but its a very minimalist space with a flat floor thats intended to maximize passenger roominess, with Hyundai claiming the five-seat cabin can comfortably accommodate three adults in the rear although it will be a squeeze.

Customers can stash a total of 441 liters of stuff in the back, which is
split between a 322-liter trunk and an integrated 119-liter Megabox, which is essentially a large space underneath the trunk floor.

Having seen most of the variations Hyundai offers, the N-Line cars, with
their larger wheels and more pronounced rear spoiler, certainly look the
best. Its no hot hatch, but Aero Hatch wears the rear wing and diffuser with more confidence, making it look less awkward than base cars. A fine drive (Image credit: Hyundai) Navigating Hyundais various trim levels is a little confusing, especially given that the cheaper, shorter-range versions are actually faster which you can't specify in the racier N-Line guise.

All cars ride on Hyundais latest K3 Platform with a 400-volt electrical architecture, allowing for 10 to 80% top-ups in approximately 29 minutes
using a DC fast charger. The Standard Range model uses a 42.2 kWh battery, while the Long Range version gets a 61 kWh unit.

Both feature a front-mounted electric motor and front-wheel drive, with the Standard Range producing 107.8 kW (147 hp ) and the Long Range delivering
99.5 kW (135 hp).

It feels like the wrong way around, but its very difficult to discern the additional 12 hp from behind the wheel anyway. (Image credit: Hyundai)

The Furnished Space approach of the concept has taken a bit of a backseat Hyundai quotes WLTP ranges of over 344km (around 214 miles) for the Standard Range and over 497km (around 310 miles) for the Long Range, which feels about right given the sort of efficiencies we were experiencing during our test drives.

Across the often broken road surfaces just outside of Istanbul, Turkey, the Ioniq 3 leaned on its smart regenerative braking functionality to top up the batteries on descents and generally make the most out of a charge. I clocked around 4.2 miles per kWh during my test.

With that in mind, expect to return around 250 miles from the longer-range versions and around 200+ miles from the Standard variant under typical
driving conditions.

Acceleration is brisk across the board and this is definitely a car that has been tuned for quick city sprints, rather than long motorway stretches.
(Image credit: Hyundai) During these, theres a fair amount of wind noise and the Ioniq 3 felt out of its depth keeping up with Turkeys circa-90 mph speed limits.

But under normal (read slower) driving conditions, it feels much more mature than its budget price tag would suggest. The cabin is neatly laid out and the soft-touch fabrics adorning most surfaces elevate it to a point that Hyundai could easily charge more.

Above all else, its very difficult not to keep returning to the price,
because the Ioniq 3 feels like an extremely accomplished EV that will happily rival the likes of the Renault 5 E-Tech and the VW ID 3, while undercutting sister company Kias EV2 by a considerable amount.

As a retort to the waves of cheaper Chinese rivals, its a formidable proposition with great in-car tech, a sweet drive, excellent range and a premium-felling interior.

In fact, when you consider the price, it has to be one of the most well-rounded affordable EVs currently on sale. Follow TechRadar on Google
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/a-formidable-p roposition-ive-driven-the-hyundai-ioniq-3-and-it-sets-a-new-benchmark-for-affo rdable-evs


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