Hyundai announced a series of updates to 2019 Ioniq
earlier this year, but drivers looking for an eco-friendly hatchback might want
to hold off as spy photographers have snapped an updated model in the United
States.
The facelifted Ioniq is heavily disguised but we can see the
model will feature an all-new grille with a textured pattern that echoes the
one used on the Santa Fe. Additional changes are hard to spot, but the model
appears to have updated headlights and a modestly revised bumper with new air
intakes. Moving around back, the subtle styling versions are well hidden. That
being said, the car appears to have a more traditional bumper and new
taillights.
Carscoops spy photographers didn’t take pictures of the
interior, but it’s possible the cabin will receive some minor upgrades and
technology improvements. In particular, the last round of updates focused on
adding driver assistance systems such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep
assist and smart cruise control.
It remains unclear if there will be any performance
changes for 2020. This seems possible as hybrid and battery technology
continues to advance, but nothing is official as of yet. If powertrains do carryover, we
can expect the Ioniq Hybrid to have a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an
electric motor that work together to produce a combined maximum output of 139
hp.
The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid uses the same engine, but
it features a more powerful electric motor and a larger 8.9 kWh lithium-ion
battery pack. While the car still has a combined output of 139 hp, it can travel up to 46 km on electricity alone.
Lastly, the Ioniq Electric ditches the petrol engine
and uses an electric motor that produces 118 hp and 295 Nm of torque. Thanks to the car’s 28 kWh battery pack, drivers can expect
to travel approximately 200 km on a single charge.
