Used Hyundai Ioniq 2017-2022 review
The well-built and versatile Hyundai Ioniq is great value as a used buy in all of its versions. Reliability can be an issue, though.
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What's the used Hyundai IONIQ like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Mark Pearson
Updated: 4 April 2025
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What's the used Hyundai IONIQ like?
It might not look like much of a trailblazer, but this 2017-2022 Hyundai Ioniq was the first car to be offered on sale with three forms of electrification.
You could've had it as a hybrid (HEV) model that combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version with a bigger battery that you can charge externally, or an electric vehicle (EV).
Overview
The well-built and extremely versatile Hyundai Ioniq offers great value as a used buy across all of its versions. It was the first car available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric forms. All the variants provide a comfortable ride with decent performance. With competitive standard equipment, it remains a practical choice for those seeking an economical and efficient vehicle. It's decently affordable, too. Recent reliability reports have been a bit mixed, though, especially for the electric version.
Pros
- Smooth ride, even on rough road surfaces
- Well built, with high-quality materials
- Competitive standard equipment
Cons
- Limited electric range on the electric-only car
- Smaller boot space in the EV model
- Some electrical reliability issues reported
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£5,999
Hyundai IONIQ
38.3kWh Premium Auto 5dr
£6,500
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£6,950
Hyundai IONIQ
28kWh Premium Auto 5dr
£7,340
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£7,390
Hyundai IONIQ
38.3kWh Premium Auto 5dr
£7,499
Hyundai IONIQ
28kWh Premium SE Auto 5dr
£7,600
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£7,895
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£7,995
See all available cars
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Engines & Performance: All the different versions are easy to drive and to use. With its petrol engine and electric motor working together in the hybrid and plug-in hybrid, performance is pretty good; both are quicker than the contemporary 2016-2022 Toyota Prius and similar to many regular diesel hatchbacks, but slower than, say, the Mk7 version of the 2013-2020 Volkswagen Golf GTE.
The standard six-speed dual-clutch gearbox in both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid models can be hesitant off the line but, once you’re up and running, it changes swiftly and slickly through the gears. There’s also a manual override option on some models (using paddles) so you can hold onto a gear for better engine braking down steep hills.
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The EV model is quicker off the line, utilising its electric motor’s instant low-down shove to sprint away from the lights in near-silence. Like most EVs, though, it starts to feel more pedestrian beyond 50mph, although for town driving, where it’s designed to be used, that’s no issue.
Ride & Handling: The Ioniq handles well, even if keen drivers aren’t going to come away from a drive doubled up with delight.
It rides firmly but comfortably most of the time, and its refinement is good, with little wind or road noise to trouble the ears.
Interior & Practicality: Inside, there’s plenty of space, with soft-touch plastics adding to an air of quality. The boot is of a reasonable size (although it's a little smaller in the EV model), but it’s slightly handicapped by a high loading lip.
Trims & Equipment: Standard kit is competitive, with even entry-level cars being well equipped. Every model comes with some form of autonomous safety kit, with the entry-level SE getting automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and hill start assist. There’s also a standard back-up camera to help you out while parking.
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Buying an Ioniq obviously requires choosing which version suits you best. The electric-only version is quite expensive, even used, and has a limited official range of 174 miles. The plug-in variant claims to be able to travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone – worth bearing in mind if that's enough to cover your daily commute. The regular hybrid still has low CO2 emissions and good fuel economy. It also has a better ride due to more sophisticated rear suspension compared with the plug-in hybrid and EV versions of the Ioniq.
The Ioniq was updated in 2019, with minor cosmetic changes and improvements to the range. The plug-in hybrid Ioniq came with a 39-mile electric-only range, the fully electric car 194 miles. All models went off sale at the end of 2022.
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"I always liked driving any of the versions of the Ioniq. It didn't do anything outstandingly well, but it was a really pleasant all-rounder.' - Mark Pearson, used cars editor
Interested in buying a used Hyundai Ioniq? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.
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Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Ownership cost
What used Hyundai IONIQ will I get for my budget?
The fully electric Ioniq starts at around £7000, with the hybrid model starting at £8000 and the plug-in hybrid costing around £9000. Spend between £10,000 and £12,000 on a good 2020 or 2021 car, while later models from 2022 rise to around £15,000, which remains very reasonable.
Check the value of a used Hyundai Ioniq with What Car? Valuations
Find used Hyundai cars for sale
How much does cost to run a Hyundai IONIQ?
Running costs: On paper, the EV model should be the cheapest to run. If the plug-in hybrid variant fits in with your lifestyle – meaning that you use it for short journeys of less than 30 miles and have access to charging facilities – it should also prove cheap to run.
With the hybrid, an MPG figure in the mid-to-high 60s should be easily achievable, with the plug-in hybrid exceeding that as long as you have a good chunk of charge in the battery.
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Road tax: If it's a hybrid or plug-in hybrid registered after April 2017, it'll not benefit from free road tax, and you'll have to pay the flat rate, currently £195 per year. The fully electric model will now cost the same rate.
Servicing and insurance: Hyundai has one of the longest standard warranties available; the Ioniq gets five years of cover over unlimited miles. Just as impressive is the battery warranty, which is eight years and 125,000 miles.
Servicing costs will be comparable to those of rivals, but certain work, such as re-gassing the air conditioning, can be costly because Hyundai uses a more environmentally friendly refrigerant gas that's not widely available at third-party garages yet.
Reliability
Hyundai Ioniq owners reported good reliability in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, emphasising its durability and minimal mechanical problems.
While most feedback was positive, some owners faced issues with electronic systems, especially electric models' infotainment and battery management.
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Dealer service received mixed reviews. Many praised Hyundai dealerships for their professionalism and efficiency in handling warranty issues, but others experienced poor communication and inconsistent service quality.
Discover more about used Hyundai Ioniq reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.
Tips & Advice
How much does it cost to charge an EV
A dual-rate tariff can slash your home-charging bills by up to 70% if you charge overnight. There are environmental benefits, too
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Never miss a motoring date
Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Charging an EV at home
You can charge your EV from a three-pin socket, but a home EV charger is faster and more convenient. Here are the best
Do I need to use public EV chargers?
Charging at home is almost always cheaper, but if you need a quick top-up, we have revealed the best charging networks
Protect your investment
GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it
Reduce your car finance bills
Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term
What is hire purchase?
Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP
What is PCP finance?
Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?
Our recommendations
Which used Hyundai IONIQ should I buy?
Make no mistake, we like the plug-in hybrid Ioniq. However, if home charging is a problem we’d recommend the regular hybrid version because it feels just as quick as a regular diesel hatchback, but you can still cruise around town on silent electric power alone, provided the battery has enough charge at the time. The standard six-speed automatic gearbox is pretty slick and the whole combination still offers low CO2 emissions and decent real-world fuel economy.
It’s a little less expensive to buy than a plug-in hybrid Ioniq, and it doesn’t require the same level of planning you would need to do with the EV version in order to make sure you have enough charge in it for future journeys.
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We’d also suggest stepping up one trim level to mid-range Premium, because it adds heated front seats and steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror, xenon headlights, an upgraded sound system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Our favourite Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 GDi Hybrid Premium
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Hyundai IONIQ?
The Toyota Prius is probably the most well-known hybrid car of all, because it was the first mass-produced petrol-electric car on the market. It’s the most obvious alternative to the Ioniq. It comes as a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, like the Ioniq, and the latest version is very well equipped and good to drive. It’s refined, too, and both versions are economical. However, the Ioniq has the slight edge in equipment and it’s far nicer to drive.
The Ioniq is closely related to the Kia Niro, which also comes in three differing forms: pure electric car, plug-in hybrid and self-charging hybrid. It's a great car and comes with a more roomy interior than the Ioniq. The only fly is that it costs more car for car than the Hyundai.
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If you're interested in buying a used Hyundai Ioniq, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classified site here.
Hyundai IONIQ owner reviews
Sort by: Most Recent Star rating
Anonymous
Hyundai Ioniq petrol
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Jun 7, 2026 10:56 AM
Very practical and easy to use
Phil
Hyundai Ioniq electric
Likes: Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Dec 5, 2025 2:12 PM
Mark
Hyundai Ioniq electric
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Nov 17, 2025 5:17 PM
We bought it as a cheap second car, but wound up using it as our only car. It's better all round than we expected for the money. It feels more expensive, is nicer to drive and is more useful than we thought it would be, whilst being just as cheap to run as expected. The only bad things are the high levels of road noise and occasionally unreliable overnight home charging.
Nigel
Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 hybrid
Likes: Value, Reliability, Servicing, Running costs
Oct 24, 2025 9:33 PM
I chose a Hyundai Ioniq because I preferred the looks to the previous generation of Prius, to be honest. I have been astonished at the MPG, and the gearbox is very smooth. It's a surprisingly good long distance tourer - and is only pulling 2,000 RPM at 70. Rear visibility isn't great, but the 440 litre boot is tremendous.
How reliable is the Hyundai Ioniq ?
Reliability rating: 87.9%
Hyundai Ioniq
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£5,999
Hyundai IONIQ
38.3kWh Premium Auto 5dr
£6,500
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£6,950
Hyundai IONIQ
28kWh Premium Auto 5dr
£7,340
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£7,390
Hyundai IONIQ
38.3kWh Premium Auto 5dr
£7,499
Hyundai IONIQ
28kWh Premium SE Auto 5dr
£7,600
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium SE DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£7,895
Hyundai IONIQ
1.6 h-GDi Premium DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
£7,995
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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