The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid sedan was one of the vehicles to be tested in the latest round of the ASEAN NCAP crash tests and the car has been awarded a five-star rating. The car scored 91.98 points out of 100, in overall protection with good scores on both adult and child occupancy. The ASEAN NCAP also concluded that the Ioniq sedan comes packed with all the essential safety features as prescribed, barring Blindspot technology (BST), which is offered as an optional feature in Malaysia. The Ioniq is Hyundai's first dedicated hybrid car and made its debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The sedan in its electric avatar was also showcased at the Auto Expo 2018 earlier this year.
(The Hyundai Ioniq was showcased at the Auto Expo earlier this year)
(Hyundai India has no plans to bring the Ioniq to India. We will get the Kona instead)
Power on the Hyundai Ioniq comes from a number of engine options globally including petrol, hybrid and electric. The hybrid version runs on a 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine coupled with an electric motor that provides a combined output of 139 bhp and 265 Nm of torque. The 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery contributes 43 bhp and 170 Nm of peak torque. The Hyundai Ioniq electric that was showcased in India was powered by an electric motor with 120 bhp and 295 Nm of torque. The electric sedan comes with a range of 280 km on a single charge.
Apart from the Hyundai Ioniq, the ASEAN NCAP also tested the 2018 Toyota C-HR and Rush SUVs, both of which recived full five-star safety ratings.
(The Hyundai Ioniq is offered in three engine options globally - petrol, hybrid and electric)
While the Ioniq was expected to make its way to India, the changes in the government taxation for hybrids under the GST, provided little encouragement for the automaker. Instead, Hyundai has confirmed it will be bringing the Kona electric SUV to the country, which attracts lower taxation and goes along with the popularity of SUVs. The Hyundai Kona Electric will be the company's first electric offering in India and is will go on sale sometime in 2019.