Hyundai Ioniq 3 in the UK: Europe-focused EV built locally, priced from £22,245

Hyundai has revealed UK pricing for the Ioniq 3, its new electric hatchback designed specifically for the European market.

Starting at £22,245 (~HK$223,000), the Ioniq 3 undercuts many of the assumptions around well-equipped Korean EVs and goes straight up against popular small electric cars such as the Renault 5 and the upcoming Volkswagen ID. Polo.

The entry-level Standard Range starts from £22,245 (~HK$223,000), while the Advance Long Range is priced from £25,745 (~HK$275,000). Buyers can also benefit from a £1,500 EV grant in the UK, bringing the effective cost down further.

The Ioniq 3 is a new EV developed specifically for Europe and built locally. Hyundai describes it as an "Aero Hatch", with dimensions sitting somewhere between the Volkswagen Polo and Golf.

It is also taller than the Hyundai i20, giving it a footprint that sits somewhere between the traditional small hatchback and larger family car.

Design is one of the Ioniq 3's main talking points.

It combines the sporty character of the Veloster with the cleaner, more sophisticated lines of the Genesis GV60, while introducing Hyundai's new Art of Steel design philosophy for the first time.

The pronounced shoulder line and flowing bonnet creases give the bodywork a sculpted appearance, with the metal-like surfaces appearing to wrap tightly around the car.

Hyundai's Parametric Pixel lighting is used at both ends, with the four-point light arrangement forming an "H" pattern inspired by Morse code.

At the rear, the Ioniq 3 gets an upswept spoiler and sloping roofline. The sportier N Line version adds an extended spoiler, unique front and rear bumpers, a sports diffuser and gloss-black trim for a more aggressive look.

Despite its coupe-like roofline, the Ioniq 3 makes good use of its dedicated EV platform to maximise cabin space.

Hyundai has created additional headroom for rear passengers by recessing part of the headliner, while the flat floor helps create a relatively spacious cabin for five.

There is also a deep storage compartment beneath the boot floor, large enough to take a sizeable piece of luggage. It adds some useful extra storage space in a segment where boot capacity can often be a compromise.

Under the skin, the Ioniq 3 uses Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP electric vehicle platform. To keep costs in check for the mass market, it adopts a 400V electrical architecture and shares a number of key technologies with the Kia EV2.

Two powertrain options are available.

The Standard Range uses a 42.2kWh battery and produces 145PS, with a 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds and a claimed range of around 344km.

The Long Range version gets a larger 61kWh battery and produces 133PS. It takes 9.6 seconds to reach 100km/h, but offers a much longer claimed range of 495km.

For charging, the Ioniq 3 supports up to 127kW DC fast charging, taking less than 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.

An 11kW AC charger is standard, while a 22kW AC charger is available as an option, giving owners another way to cut charging times at home or at compatible public chargers.

The Ioniq 3 also marks Hyundai's next step in in-car technology.

It is the first Hyundai model in Europe to introduce the Pleos Connect infotainment system, which is based on a heavily customised version of Android Automotive. Two centre-screen sizes are available, measuring 12.9 inches and 14.6 inches.

The range is split across several trim levels, including the entry-level Advance, followed by Premium and Ultimate variants with the 61kWh battery. At the top of the line sits the sporty N Line Evo, giving buyers a choice between a more affordable everyday EV, a higher-spec technology-focused model and a sportier version.

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