When the Hyundai Ioniq model line first rolled out for the 2017 model year, the compact hatchback became the first vehicle to be offered with three levels of electrification: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric. And with the 2020 Hyundai Ioniq's updates, all three variants are getting a mid-life makeover that makes its debut at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Interior and Exterior Design Changes

Design-wise, it's mostly a soft-tools redo involving grilles, lamps, and fascias. LED headlight and taillight styling trade a horizontal look for a stacked vertical appearance. The hybrid/plug-in hybrid grille similarly swaps fine horizontal lines for a matrix-of-triangles look, while the EV drops its featureless piano-black racoon mask for a distinct silver patterned shield "grille" inset in a darker silver mask The single vertical swathe of daytime-running LEDs that reside in the air-inlets on either side of the grille are swapped for a pair of vertical DRLs on each side. The lower air inlet in front and "diffuser" area in back are also lightly restyled and there are new wheel designs.

Inside there's a fresh 7.0-inch reconfigurable instrument cluster screen and an all-new center stack with a freestanding screen that's upgraded to 8 inches on lower trim levels and to 10.3-inches on Limited models. Vents are now located below instead of next to this screen. Below them are new climate controls that do away with buttons and knobs for a touch-based approach. We'll need to sample this setup before we know if it's an improvement, but the overall effect of the free-standing screen is to allow the visual mass of the upper dash pad to be lowered for an airier cockpit feel.

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Power, Torque, and Fuel Economy Details

The powertrain and batteries for both hybrid models carry over, but in recognition of the stiffer competition the electric car faces, its specs are all upgraded. Motor power increases 16 hp to 134 total, the battery capacity increases by 10.3 kW-hrs for 38.3 total and this increases driving range from 124 to 170 miles. New regenerative-braking-level paddles enable one-pedal driving on the EV. Charging times for the larger battery all increase, but at least the onboard charger's capacity increases from 6.6 to 7.2 kW, and note thatDC fast charging capability comes standard (it's an option on Bolt and Leaf). Fast charging at the 100-kW charging rate, it can lift a flat battery to 80-percent charge in 54 minutes (up from 23 on the outgoing smaller battery).

The Ioniq EV ranks as one of the nation's most efficient vehicles, earning an EPA combined city/highway rating of 133 mpg-e. That's down from 136 with the lighter 2019 model, but it bests all models of the Tesla Model 3 except the standard range plus model (141), and it handily trumps the Kona EV (120), Chevy Bolt EV (118), VW e-Golf and BMW i3 (113 each) and the Nissan Leaf (104-112). The hybrid models' economy remains unchanged, with the base hybrid still achieving the highest EPA mpg ratings of any non-plug-in vehicle (57/59/58 mpg city/highway/combined). Go with the 2020 Ioniq SE, SEL, or Limited, and fuel economy is 55/54/55 mpg.

Another welcome improvement for 2020: the Highway Driving Assist becomes available to ease the stress of long drives and the optional Lane Following Assist is now programmed to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane, instead of pin-balling off the edge markers. All 2020 Ioniqs will get Hyundai's latest SmartSense suite of safety gear, which includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, High Beam Assist and a Drivers Attention Warning. Another great peace-of-mind feature: Hyundai's industry-exclusive lifetime hybrid/electric battery warranty means that if the lithium-polymer battery ever needs replacement, Hyundai will replace it and recycle the old battery, as long as you're the original owner.

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Pricing and Release Date

Production has already begun on the 2020 Ioniq in Ulsan, Korea, with U.S. deliveries expected by December. Hybrid buyers will have an extra trim level to consider, with an SE grade being inserted between base Blue and SEL on the no-plug model, and a mid-grade SEL being added to the plug-in model (all variants top out with the Limited grade). The base 2020 Ioniq Hybrid Blue model starts at $23,930, just $475 up from last year's model. The SE and SEL trim levels start at $25,880 and $29,130 and the Limited caps the range at $31,930. The entry-level 2020 Ioniq Plug-In SE starts at $27,230, with SEL and Limited at $30,230 and $33,680. Electric pricing hasn't been released yet, but is likely to increase from today's $31,235 to cover that larger battery.