Hyundai Adds Lifetime Battery Warranty To Ioniq Line

Hyundai first introduced a car with a storage battery in 2012 when the Sonata Hybrid was launched. That car came with a lifetime battery warranty. Since then, Hyundai has added another EV model, the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid. It also comes with a lifetime battery warranty. Hyundai’s latest addition to is model lineup is the Ioniq, which comes either as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or a full battery electric vehicle.

Hyundai has just announced that the battery in all three version of the Ioniq will be covered by the same lifetime warranty as the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. If the battery pack fails, Hyundai will replace it free of charge and “cover recycling costs for the old battery free of charge to the original owner,” according to a promotional e-mail sent to customers. It does not apply to vehicles used in commercial service, which Hyundai defines as “taxi, route delivery, rental, etc.”

Sharp eyed readers will immediately notice the Hyundai warranty does not pertain to battery degradation. Some manufacturers cover it, some don’t. Here’s a chart you may find useful.

Credit: Gary Exner

A flap developed earlier this month when it was revealed that the Chevy Bolt owner’s manual says degradation of up to 40% can occur in the first 8 years of operation. People immediately got their shorts bunched up because that seemed like an excessively high number. But you will notice in the chart above that many manufacturers provide owners with no protection from battery degradation at all. Now you can add the Hyundai Ioniq to that list.

50 years ago, people used to worry about the cost of replacing an internal combustion engine when it failed.  A car with 50,000 miles on the odometer was deemed ready for the junk yard. Today, cars routinely go 200,000 miles or more with little more than routine oil changes.

The original Nissan LEAF battery tended to degrade quickly, especially in hot, dry climates like Arizona. Even though Nissan redesigned the battery 4 years ago and there have been few complaints since, battery degradation is now an urban legend that continues to haunt the EV marketplace. It’s not unexpected that people might be nervous about the cost of replacing a battery, but experience shows that batteries are far more robust and long lasting than anyone thought a few years ago.

If you are a belt and suspenders kind of person, you might be wary of a battery operated vehicle still. But the real world data suggests that battery life is mostly a non-issue today. If you want an EV, the best advice you can find comes via Bobby McFerrin: “Don’t worry. Be happy.”

Source: Green Car Reports

2016 Kia Optima PHEV review

Kia’s first plug-in hybrid, complete with the credibility-stretching fuel economy and emissions figures we’ve come to expect from cars of this type. The Optima PHEV combines the efforts of a normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 50kW electric motor to deliver a peak system output of 202bhp.

There will be more interest among company car drivers in the Optima’s price and CO2 figure. At £31,495 after the UK government’s £2500 plug-in incentive, it undercuts both the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Volkswagen Passat GTE, the VW by nearly £5000. The 9.8kW/h lithium ion polymer battery, which is located underneath the rear of the car, is powerful enough to deliver a claimed 33 miles of electric-only range, and because the official EUDC consumption test allows plug-ins to start with a full battery and finish with a depleted one, the Optima scores a 176.6mpg rating and 37g/km of CO2.

Getting anywhere close to those figures in the real world will mean lots of short journeys between charging stations, of course, and a little patience. Kia says the battery pack can be replenished from flat in three hours by a 240V domestic supply.

Although it is Kia’s first plug-in, the Optima PHEV is mechanically pretty much identical to the Hyundai Sonata PHEV already on sale in some markets. Like its sister, it uses a six-speed automatic gearbox rather than a CVT, with the electric motor effectively replacing the torque converter at low speeds. Thereafter it can either supplement the petrol engine or, in EV mode, power the car by itself at up to 75mph.

Other changes from a standard Optima are limited. The most obvious is the PHEV’s active radiator grille, which closes when not needed to reduce air resistance. There’s also a subtle blue tint to the headlights and chrome trim. Equipment is generous and includes a powered driver’s seat, wireless charging pad, 8.0in touchscreen and 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Although it is the most powerful Optima until the forthcoming GT variant arrives, the PHEV’s performance figures are barely better than those of the 139bhp CRDi model. For an explanation, look no further than the plug-in’s 1780kg kerb weight, 200kg more than its diesel sister.

What's it like?

The PHEV copes well with the sort of short, low-speed journeys for which it has been designed, but dynamically it never rises above competence. So don’t come here looking for excitement because that would be the emptiest of quests.

At urban speeds, the transmission does a decent job of blending the efforts of the petrol and ion-fuelled motors, and left in the default hybrid mode, most low-speed progress is done electrically. The driveline isn’t quite as smooth under gentle use as a CVT system, but the auto's real ratios mean that it doesn’t suffer the slurred engine note of a stepless transmission when you want faster progress.

The electric motor supplies the low-down torque that the petrol engine lacks and the PHEV feels respectably brisk at real-world speeds, although acceleration tails off noticeably above 80mph. The EV mode works as intended and the ride quality is good at urban speeds. The petrol engine makes some gruff noises when worked hard, but otherwise refinement is good.

The PHEV has no enthusiasm for faster progress, though. Grip levels are predictably modest and the handling balance is as nose heavy as that of a thrown hammer. Even at everyday speeds, the front nudges wide in tighter corners. There’s no encouragement for more spirited use, with low-geared anaesthetised steering and springs and dampers that struggle to keep the PHEV’s considerable bulk under control on rougher road surfaces. This car feels well short of even the modest dynamic standards of the Toyota Prius. 

There are plenty of pluses, though. The cabin is spacious and the battery pack has been accommodated with only a minimal 15-litre reduction in boot capacity. As is often the case with hybrids, the PHEV’s pricing has moved it into a part of the market where some of the interior trim feels low rent, but build quality feels solid throughout. 

Should I buy one?

As always, a plug-in hybrid is suited to only a small minority of buyers – those who travel between plug-equipped parking spots frequently enough to forgive the considerable compromises forced by the weight of the electric side of the powertrain. Based on our experience, everyday economy with the battery depleted won’t get beyond mid-40s to the gallon on anything but the most gentle of use. 

But if you are looking for a PHEV, then the Optima needs to be on your shortlist. It’s cheaper and more tax efficient than any of its rivals and is backed by Kia’s peerless warranty. Its appeal is also certain to grow as zero-emission zones spread. It’s just a shame the rational attraction isn’t matched by any emotional one.

Kia Optima PHEV

Location Korea; On sale Autumn 2016; Price £31,495 (with £2500 government grant applied); Engine 4 cyls, 1999cc, petrol, plus 50kW electric motor; Petrol power 154bhp at 6000rpm; Petrol torque 139lb ft at 5000rpm; Combined power 202bhp at 6000rpm;Combined torque 276lb ft at 2330rpm; Gearbox 6-spd automatic; Kerb weight 1780kg; Top speed 119mph; 0 60mph 9.1sec; Economy 176.6mpg; CO2 rating/tax band 37g/km, 7% 

2016 Hyundai Sonata PHEV Priced From $34,600

2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid

Hyundai announced pricing for the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid in the U.S., which is arriving at select dealerships now.

Base version will cost $34,600. After deducting the $4,919 federal tax credit and adding in the $835 freight charge, the priceis $30,516.

The $34,600 price (+dst) is a touch higher than we had hoped for the Sonata PHEV (~$32,000); meaning the Hyundai is also priced a bit above the 2016 Volt at $33,995 while offer about half the all-electric range, but the Sonata PHEV is a also class above the Volt – firmly in the mid-size segment, so it should still be received fairly well by the American public.

The Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is rated for up to 27 miles (43.5 km) of real-world/EPA electric range via the 9.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. Total range is 600 miles, while combined MPGe comes in at 59.

Hyundai offers a more equipped Limited edition of the car for a $4,000 premium.

2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid	MSRP	Net MSRP w/ Federal Tax Incentive*
Sonata Plug-in Hybrid	$34,600	$29,681
Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Limited	$38,600	$33,681
Eligible for a *$4,919 federal tax credit based on class-leading 9.8 kWh battery capacity Additional local incentives also may be available depending on the state of residency

MSRP does not include freight charges of $835.

2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Highlights

• Industry-leading 0.24 coefficient of drag, tied with the Tesla Model S
• Class-leading battery system capacity at 9.8 kWh, qualifies for the highest federal tax benefit for midsize PHEV sedans
• Class-leading EPA estimated 40 mpg combined in charge sustaining mode (Hybrid operation)
• Level-Two 240V charges in less than 3 hours
• Total driving range up to 600 miles

Hyundai Sonata PHEV

Production of Sonata Plug-in Hybrid takes place at the Asan, South Korea plant.

Sales should soon begin in the selected states listed below – Hyundai has promised delivers by the end of this year:

• California
• Connecticut
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

The Sonata PHEV will be sold nationwide, but dealers in most states will not have stock on hand.  The plug-in Sonata can still be specially ordered at dealerships in those states.

Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America said:

“The 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid is the first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle for Hyundai and gives drivers the best of both worlds by providing the power delivery of a conventional gasoline engine for long trips or vacations with the additional benefit of environmentally-friendly all-electric range for commuting. The flexibility of this alternative powertrain delivers efficient hybrid operation and eliminates any concerns for range anxiety, while providing an impressive total driving range capable of 600 miles.”

Here is the EPA’s breakdown of what the Sonata PHEV can do (and how it compares to other PHEV offerings):

Hyundai Sonata PHEV Gets Electric Range Rating Of 0 To 27 Miles

Hyundai Sonata PHEV

Let’s check the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid description:

“The 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid offers the efficiency of an alternative powertrain with a unique aerodynamic exterior design, best-in-class total interior volume, premium features and advanced safety technology all at an excellent value.”

“Sonata Plug-in Hybrid’s 9.8 kWh lithium polymer battery system is roughly five times larger than the Sonata Hybrid’s battery, and helps it achieve a class-leading 99 MPGe combined in charge-depleting electric vehicle (EV) mode. The larger battery system can be charged via an external electric power source using either a Level-One 120V power outlet in less than nine hours or a Level-Two 240V charging station in under three hours.

A 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder GDI engine coupled with a 50kW electric motor allows the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid to operate just like the Sonata Hybrid once the onboard battery charge is depleted. Sonata PHEV’s Nu engine produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb. ft. of torque and the total system output is 202 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. The power output from the electric motor (50 kW) is 32 percent more powerful than the electric motor applied on the Sonata Hybrid (38 kW) and allows for EV operation at higher engine load and speeds.

The 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid pricing starts at $34,600 for a well-equipped model and offers more standard equipment than competitive segment vehicles, including 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels, hands-free Smart Trunk, Dimension® premium audio system, 8-inch touchscreen navigation and Blind Spot Detection System with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert.”

Hyundai Sonata PHEV

“Hyundai engineers implemented many active safety technologies for the 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid to assist drivers and help prevent accidents. Advanced safety technologies such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Automatic High Beam Assist and rear parking sensors are equipped on the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid Limited. Additional convenient technology one would expect in a luxury vehicle is available on this incredibly efficient mid-size hybrid sedan such as electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold, driver memory seat, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, power front seats with 4-way adjustable driver lumbar and Smart Cruise Control featuring full stop capability.

Owners can manage and monitor the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle remotely via an exclusive Blue Link® smartphone app that includes a three-year complimentary trial to Blue Link Connected Care with Charge Management. With the app, owners are given vehicle charging options they can select while in the car, but users can also manage them remotely via smartphone. For example, users have the option to manage the car’s charging schedule by setting a specific date and time to take advantage of off-peak electric rates.”

Highlights of Charge Management Services:

• Time left until fully charged
• Start or stop charging
• Set up charging schedule with days of the week and time
• Existing battery level
• Real-time electric and fuel range
• Vehicle diagnostics/status

Hyundai gets into EV game with Sonata plug-in

DETROIT -- The next Chevrolet Volt will have Korean competition.

Today at the Detroit auto show, Hyundai revealed its first battery-powered vehicle: a plug-in hybrid version of the Sonata midsize sedan that will go on sale this year. Hyundai said it plans to start by selling the 2016 Sonata PHEV in California and nine other U.S. states that mandate sales of zero-emission vehicles.

With a range of 22 miles on battery power and a combined output of 202 hp from a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, the Sonata PHEV offers substantially more power than the redesigned Volt, but less than half the range in all-electric mode.

With the debut of the Sonata PHEV, following last year’s launch of the all-electric Kia Soul EV and the hydrogen-fueled Hyundai Tucson fuel cell electric vehicle, Hyundai Motor Group now has a complement of three electrified powertrains.

Within the Hyundai Motor Group, Kia has taken responsibility for plug-ins, while Hyundai has led development of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, which charge a battery by converting hydrogen gas into electricity in an onboard fuel cell.

However, the Korean automaker has decided that Hyundai and Kia should hedge their bets by sharing technology. “There is no clear direction about which eco-friendly cars will win,” Reuters quoted Hyundai senior vice president Lee Ki-sang as saying at the launch of the Soul EV last May.

Also today, Hyundai unveiled the redesigned 2016 Sonata Hybrid, which uses a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid setup similar to that of the Toyota Prius.

The redesigned hybrid, set apart from the basic Sonata by its more aerodynamic body and wheels, promises fuel economy of 39 mpg city, 44 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined, which is 10 percent better than the outgoing model.

Hyundai said both of its new hybrids will be built at its assembly plant in Asan, South Korea, rather than at Hyundai’s factory in Montgomery, Ala., which builds the ordinary gasoline-fueled Sonata for the American market.