Hyundai Ioniq 3 debuts in Europe

Hyundai is expanding its family of electric cars with a new, smaller model. The company revealed the Ioniq 3, a vehicle that acts as a "baby brother" to the popular Ioniq 5. Hyundai calls the new model an "aero hatchback." It looks a bit like a small SUV but sits lower to the ground, and while it might look futuristic, it shares its bones with some EVs from Kia, specifically the EV3 and EV4.

The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is not a very big car, but it uses its space well. It measures 163.6 inches long - roughly the same length as a Hyundai Bayon. However, the distance between the front and back wheels is 105.5 inches. This long wheelbase is the same as the much taller Kia EV3. By pushing the wheels to the corners, Hyundai created more room for people sitting inside.

Designers kept some of the fun ideas from the concept car but made the production version more practical. You won't find any strange doors here; it is a standard five-door hatchback that is easy to use every day. The front features split LED lights. If you look closely at the back, the light pattern spells out the letter "H" in Morse code. One design choice that might raise some eyebrows is the rear window. A thick horizontal bar splits the glass in half, which might make it a little harder to see what is behind you.

Hyundai plans to offer different versions, including a sporty-looking N Line. The base model comes with 16-inch wheels, but the N Line gets much bigger 19-inch alloy wheels. The N Line also features aggressive bumpers and a rear spoiler. Most of these parts are finished in black to match the roof and the plastic trim around the wheel arches.

Inside the cabin, the Ioniq 3 feels very modern. Most drivers will look at a massive 14.6-inch touchscreen in the middle of the dashboard. If you buy a cheaper version, you get a 12.9-inch screen instead. Both systems use Google-based software called Pleos. This is the first time Hyundai has put this specific system in a production car. Unlike some other electric cars that hide everything inside a screen, this one still has physical buttons for the air conditioning and radio.

Practicality is a big selling point for the new Ioniq 3. The gear shifter is located on a stalk behind the steering wheel, leaving the center area open for cup holders, storage bins, and a wireless phone charger. The trunk can hold 1.55 ft³ of cargo. There is even a hidden storage area under the floor called a "Megabox" for extra items. If you need to take a nap while the car charges, the "Relaxation Seats" can lean back to keep you comfortable.

When it comes to power, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 offers two choices. The Standard Range version uses a 144 hp (108 kW) motor and a 42.2 kWh battery. This setup allows the car to travel 214 miles on a single charge. If you need to go further, the Long Range model is the better pick. It has a larger 61 kWh battery that provides 496 km (308 miles) of range. Interestingly, the Long Range motor has slightly less power at 133 hp (100 kW), but both versions produce 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque.

There are rumors that a high-performance "N" version is also coming. Since the car's platform can handle two motors and up to 288 hp, a fast version of the Ioniq 3 seems very likely. For now, the standard versions will launch in Europe later this year. The cars will be built in Turkey. Unfortunately for drivers in North America, this model is not coming to the United States. High taxes on imported cars would make it too expensive for American buyers to consider.

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