Salary Sacrifice a Hyundai from The Electric Car Scheme
Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company introduced its inaugural model, the Cortina, in partnership with Ford a year later. In 1991, Hyundai entered the electric vehicle realm with the Sonata Electric Vehicle. This momentum continued with the launch of the BlueOn, their first electric vehicle for commercial use, in 2009-2010.
In the UK, Hyundai offers three fully electric models: the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6, and the Kona Electric. Renowned for quality and reliability, Hyundai has earned a solid reputation. This blog offers thorough insights into these models, including driving experiences, interior features, infotainment systems, and crucially, space. It also explores potential savings through The Electric Car Scheme, particularly if your employer offers electric car salary sacrifice as an employee benefit.
Salary sacrifice the Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 presents a distinctive appearance on the roads, characterised by sharp angles and lines, as a notable contender against the Volkswagen ID4 and Ford Mustang Mach-e. Despite its hatchback design, it exudes a futuristic aura and offers the spaciousness of a family SUV, providing ample room for passengers and cargo within. Inside, the aesthetic continues with a stylish and minimalist approach, featuring two high-resolution screens on the dashboard and quality materials throughout the cabin.
| Battery Size (kWh) | Motor | Horse power | 0-60 mph (seconds) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58 kWh | Single | 170 hp | 8.5 seconds |
| 78 kWh | Single | 217 hp | 7.4 seconds |
| 78 kWh | Double | 306 hp | 5.2 seconds |
Offering a choice between two battery capacities, 58kWh or 72kWh, and various configurations of electric motors, including rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Ioniq 5 boasts an official range of at least 238 miles to up to 298 miles, depending on the selected options. Its price range spans from £43,445 to £57,945, yet opting for the Ioniq 5 through The Electric Car Scheme provides potential savings.
What’s it like to drive?
The elevated driving position, coupled with expansive windows, renders the Ioniq 5 remarkably easy to navigate and observe surroundings, particularly beneficial in urban settings, narrow roads, and bustling parking lots. Its responsive and precise steering, complemented by an array of cameras and sensors, enhances manoeuvrability. These cameras yield high-definition images, allowing for zooming in on the overhead view to inspect the surroundings, although the placement of the rear camera may require occasional manual cleaning in adverse weather conditions. Offering four levels of regenerative braking, the most powerful setting will let you bring the car to a stop by lifting your foot off of the accelerator - which can take some getting used to. Overall, the vehicle's softer suspension configuration contributes to a comfortable driving experience.
On motorways, the Ioniq 5 operates quietly at elevated speeds, aided by automated cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, promoting relaxation. Eco mode maximises range but compromises throttle responsiveness, more suitable for steady cruising than overtaking manoeuvres.
Navigating country lanes remains effortless, thanks to the elevated seating position and suspension system. Minimal road and wind noise are observed at high speeds. Engaging sports mode enhances throttle response and stiffens the suspension, yet the lightweight steering diminishes the sporty feel, albeit ensuring good grip.
Space and practicality
Inside the cabin, a sliding centre console hosts two ample-sized cup holders and generous storage compartments and trays. While the door bins are modest, the glovebox resembles a drawer, sliding out to provide considerable storage. Ample space around the footwells coupled with the sliding capability of the centre console allows either occupant to traverse to the other side, particularly useful in compact parking spaces, enhancing the cabin’s spacious feel.
Entry-level Ioniq 5 models feature manual seat adjustment, with Premium and Ultimate models offering various levels of electric adjustment. Only the top-tier specification includes electric height adjustment. Overall, the driving experience is comfortable. Higher-specification models boast control buttons on the front passenger side, facilitating adjustment from the rear seats if desired.
In the rear, abundant headroom and legroom are complemented by a completely flat floor, accommodating an adult in the middle seat. The ability to recline the rear seats adds to the comfort. Conveniently located ISOFIX car seat anchors and wide-opening rear doors simplify loading with small children. Storage pockets on the back of the front seats and door bins offer additional space while folding down the armrest reveals two more cup holders if the middle seat is unoccupied.
While the boot of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is relatively compact compared to other electric cars, offering 527 litres of space, it features a wide opening and shallow loading lip, thanks to the motors positioned beneath the floor. Additional storage space is available under the bonnet, with the rear-wheel-drive model providing 57 litres of space and the all-wheel-drive model offering 24 litres, suitable for storing charging cables.
You can salary sacrifice the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for £362, saving on National Insurance and Income Tax. The Electric Car Scheme is a great employee benefit to retain and attract employees.
Interior and infotainment
Inside, the interior of the Ioniq 5 exudes a minimalist ambience, characterised by high-quality materials. Seats and steering wheel are available with soft-touch, eco-friendly leather upholstery, complemented by ambient lighting along the doors and dashboard. Graphite-effect trim inlays adorn the doors, while metallic covers embellish the ends of the indicator and washer stalks.
Abundant in technological features, all variants of the Ioniq 5 feature a pair of 12.3-inch screens positioned atop the dashboard. One screen displays driving data, while the other serves as the central hub for the infotainment system. User-friendly with shortcut buttons along the bottom edge, navigation between functions is streamlined, minimising the need to delve into extensive menus. Touch sensitivity is seamlessly integrated, eliminating the potential for distraction common in other electric cars. Standard features include Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto, Apple Carplay, DAB radio, and a wireless charging pad, with USB sockets available in both the front and rear.
Range-topping models boast a head-up display projecting directional prompts from the satellite navigation directly into the driver’s field of vision using augmented reality.
Additionally, the Ioniq 5 features a Vehicle-to-Load charging function, allowing it to serve as a mobile battery pack for charging e-bikes, e-scooters, camping equipment, and laptops.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Hyundai Ioniq 6, an all-electric saloon, stands out with its distinctive styling, impressive range, and rapid charging capability. While sharing mechanical similarities with the Ioniq 5 SUV, it surpasses in efficiency. The streamlined design of the Ioniq 6 enhances its overall efficiency compared to the Ioniq 5. However, adjustments made to the rear seat bench due to the roofline may impact the comfort of taller adults. The lowered seat bench diminishes under-thigh support, potentially causing discomfort during extended journeys.
Internally, the Ioniq 6 closely resembles the Ioniq 5, featuring two expansive displays, ample storage compartments, and a comfortable driving position. Notably, the Ioniq 6 introduces transparent door pockets, preventing items from being lost inside.
With a retail price range of £47,040 to £55,290, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers potential savings through salary sacrifice, allowing you to pay a reduced amount and save over a three-year period.
| Battery Size (kWh) | Range (miles) | 0-60 mph (seconds) |
|---|---|---|
| 77 kWh | 339 miles | 7.4 seconds |
| 77 kWh | 323 miles | 5.1 seconds |
What’s it like to drive?
The Ioniq 6 boasts light steering and instant power delivery from its electric motor, making it highly adept in urban environments, particularly at junctions. Its tight turning circle of 11.8 meters enhances manoeuvrability. Offering good visibility all around, aided by large wing mirrors and a well-sized rear window, the car exhibits only minor blind spots on each side, which can be mitigated with additional cameras. Adding wing mirror cameras for £995 equips the vehicle with screens mounted on each side of the dashboard, providing views down the car's sides instead of traditional wing mirrors. However, this feature may primarily appeal to tech enthusiasts, as the range benefits are marginal and the cameras are not as user-friendly as conventional mirrors.
The Ioniq 6 delivers a slightly firmer ride, making bumps more perceptible, though it remains comfortable overall, albeit not as settled as its predecessor, the Ioniq 5. On the motorway, there's some tyre noise on rough surfaces and slight wind noise around the wing mirrors, typical for electric cars known for their quiet operation. Nonetheless, the Ioniq 6 excels on long journeys, offering impressive acceleration, especially in the rear-wheel drive version. However, increased speed reduces efficiency, falling short of the claimed 338-mile range over longer distances.
While the Ioniq 6 sports a sporty appearance, its focus lies more on comfort and refinement on the motorway, resulting in a less thrilling experience on country lanes. Nevertheless, it handles sharp corners and bumps adeptly, providing an enjoyable overall driving experience.
Space and practicality
Within the Ioniq 6, a sturdy centre console offers ample storage space underneath, replacing the sliding console found in the Ioniq 5. Additionally, there are two large cupholders, a designated phone storage area, and a wireless charging pad. Similar to the Ioniq 5, the vehicle features a drawer instead of a traditional glovebox, albeit without a motor. Notably, the transparent door bins are narrow, limiting the types of items that can be stored inside.
In the rear, generous foot space and knee room are provided, although taller individuals may find headroom limited due to the roofline. While Hyundai attempted to address this by lowering the seat base, it resulted in reduced under-thigh support, potentially impacting comfort on longer journeys. The Ioniq 6 is well-suited for accommodating child seats, as the wide-opening doors and increased legroom allow for bulky seats without compromising front passenger legroom. Additionally, reasonably sized door bins, seatback nets, and a folding armrest with two cupholders enhance convenience. With a 401-litre luggage area, the boot space of the Ioniq 6 is comparable to the Polestar 2's 405-litre boot. Despite the saloon-style opening, rear seats can be folded in a 60/40 configuration using tabs in the boot. Furthermore, the Ioniq 6 offers space under the bonnet for storing charging cables, adding to its practicality.
Interior style and infotainment
The interior of the Ioniq 6 is contemporary, mirroring its sleek exterior design. You have the option to select between black or grey interiors. Opting for the lighter option creates a sense of spaciousness within the cabin, complementing the comfortable seats. The infotainment system mirrors that of the Ioniq 5, featuring two screens. Notably, climate controls are separated from the main screen, enhancing usability while driving. The infotainment graphics are crisp, menus are intuitive to navigate, and the driver's display provides all essential information effectively.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is available to lease from The Electric Car Scheme from £539 each month. You will have to pay a small amount in Benefit-in-Kind tax (£55), but you will save £351 in Income Tax and National Insurance savings. You can read more about BiK by visiting our blog on the topic.
Lease the Hyundai Kona at The Electric Car Scheme
The Hyundai Kona Electric combines the traditional advantages of an SUV, such as a practical interior and elevated driving position, with the added benefits of battery-powered propulsion. While the electric model comes at a higher price compared to the conventional Hyundai Kona, it falls within a similar price range to comparable EVs like the Nissan Leaf.
Two versions of the Kona Electric are available: a 39kWh model with 136hp and a range of 189 miles, and a 64kWh model with 204hp and a range of up to 300 miles. Charging the 64kWh model to 80% takes approximately 47 minutes with a 100kW charger. However, using a 7kWh charger, typical for home charging, will require over nine hours to reach full charge.
| Battery Size (kWh) | 0-60 mph (seconds) | Range (miles) |
|---|---|---|
| 48 kWh | 8.8 seconds | 234 miles |
| 65 kWh | 7.8 seconds | 282 miles |
What’s the Hyundai Kona like to drive?
Around town, the Kona Electric feels remarkably nimble, particularly the 64kWh variant with its more powerful 204hp motor. With a lighter touch on the pedal, it offers a sense of control, though it's easy to exceed intended speeds. For city driving, the 39kWh battery model may be more suitable due to its lighter feel. Manoeuvring through narrow streets is effortless thanks to the Kona's compact size, and while its SUV seating position isn't notably high, visibility remains commendable.
Standard rear parking sensors and a reversing camera aid parking manoeuvres, while adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel ensure customizable driving positions for all. Regenerative braking can be adjusted through various settings, with the highest setting allowing the car to decelerate when lifting off the accelerator, reducing reliance on the brakes.
On the motorway, both models exhibit rapid acceleration up to 70mph. However, the 64kWh version offers more comfort at cruising speeds, quicker acceleration, and extended range, necessitating less frequent recharges. The Kona Electric is well-suited for long journeys, providing a quiet, smooth ride and instilling a sense of safety and stability. All models feature adaptive cruise control, easing the burden of extended drives.
Space and practicality
In the front of the Kona Electric, there is ample space for a person six feet tall to find comfort, with generous headroom facilitated by the height-adjustable seat, which can be lowered significantly. This allows for two average-sized adults to sit comfortably side-by-side. Storage options include door bins, a compartment under the centre armrest, and two cupholders, with Premium and Ultimate models featuring a lidded compartment in front of the gear selector that doubles as a wireless charging pad.
In the rear seats, available space is influenced by the height of the front passengers, determining the amount of legroom available. While headroom is reasonable, accommodating three adults in the back may pose a challenge. Installing a child seat on the ISOFIX mounts could also be challenging due to space constraints. Nonetheless, there is a good amount of storage in the back, with door bins and a pocket on the back of the front passenger seat.
Similar to other Hyundai electric models, the Kona Electric features a relatively small boot, with a capacity of 332 litres. While sufficient for groceries or luggage, it may struggle to accommodate family needs. The boot boasts a wide opening and a low-loading lip, ensuring ease of use. Additionally, the rear seats can be lowered to provide additional space when needed.
Interior and infotainment
The dashboard layout of the Electric Kona closely resembles its petrol counterparts, albeit with a higher central console that positions the gear selector buttons to the left. This arrangement ensures ease of access to controls without diverting attention from the road. An improvement in the electric model lies in the elevated quality of materials used compared to petrol and diesel variants.
Each model comes equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring satellite navigation, DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and various apps for entertainment. The screen boasts excellent responsiveness and supports smartphone integration via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. Standard features across all models include a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a high-quality Krell stereo system, climate control, rear parking sensors, reversing cameras, and adaptive cruise control. Premium models offer additional amenities such as heated front seats and steering wheel, front parking sensors, and a wireless charging pad. The Ultimate model elevates the experience further with leather seats, ventilated and electronically adjustable in the front, and heated in the back, along with a head-up display.
The Hyundai Kona is available to lease from The Electric Car Scheme for £306 each month. You will save £187 in Income Tax and £9 in National Insurance savings. Electric car salary sacrifice is one of the most affordable ways of getting an electric car because otherwise you may be subjected to high upfront costs.
The Electric Car Scheme enables employers and employees to launch with confidence knowing you’re getting the best prices, first-rate protection, and a trusted 5* service. All of the cars mentioned in this blog are available to salary sacrifice via The Electric Car Scheme website from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to the Kona.
You can learn more about The Electric Car Scheme by visiting the rest of our website. Or look at our range of cars by using our quote tool.
