For a long time, Toyota has been the world’s top-selling gas-electric vehicle. This may no longer be the case when Hyundai’s Ioniq is launched in the United States later in the year. The new release will compete against the standard Prius hybrid and the recently launched Prime plug-in. The Ioniq will be the first car in the world to have a third battery electric powertrain. There are a number of similarities and contrasts between the Prime and Ioniq.
In terms of design, a major similarity is that the cars have hatchbacks, front-wheel and aerodynamics. The Ioniq can accommodate five passengers just like the previous Prius plug-in as well as the current Prius. The Toyota Prime on the other hand can only accommodate four passengers, which saves weight. Both cars will have a similar coefficient of drag, which has been estimated at 0.24. The interior space will be similar for both with slight variations here and there. Toyota Prius has a design emulating that of the base Prius, while the Ioniq has been thought to be easier on eyes.
Regarding the powertrain, both vehicles are plug-in hybrid cars with a system based on ultra-efficient Atkinson cycle. While the GDI unit of Hyundai is 1.6 liters, Toyota’s unit is 1.8 liters. The thermal efficiency of both cars is approximately 40%, and this is an accomplishment set by Toyota three years ago. Neither manufacturer has given a specific EPA number, though Toyota said that the Prime could have a figure similar to that of its non-plug-in counterpart. The Prime could have around 52 mpg, while Ioniq could have around 56 mpg. The EPA will most likely exceed 51 mpg for both vehicles.
Another comparison is with respect to electric range following the doubling of the traction battery by Toyota to offer a capacity of 8.8 kWh compared to Hyundai’s 8.9 kWh. The miles projected by Toyota before the ultimate EPA certifications are a 22 miles range. Hyundai’s projected range is between 25 and 29 miles. Assuming the miles presented are to be trusted, it is clear that Hyundai has a better EV range compared to Toyota. In terms of performance, both cars have promised to offer an amazing experience. This is considering Toyota’s New Global Architecture, as well as the independent suspension. Hyundai has also promised to enhance Ioniq’s performance through its novel dedicated platform. Given the information above, Hyundai is clearly a big competitor for Toyota Prius Prime.