Hyundai Ioniq 3 Enters the Compact Electric Market
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 arrives with a 29,995-euro starting price for a 4.15-meter electric hatchback designed for European families, Nieuwsblad reported. Positioned to fill the gap between the quirky Inster and the larger Ioniq 5, the new model targets buyers who do not drive company cars. Autofans noted that the vehicle shares its platform with the Kia EV2 while adopting a distinct aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.263 and a sloping roofline that extends deep into the tailgate.
The entry-level variant uses a 42.2 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery paired with a 108 kW electric motor, generating a 344-kilometer range for 29,995 euros. A larger 61 kWh nickel-cobalt-aluminium battery delivers a 496-kilometer range with a 99 kW motor priced at 33,995 euros. Charging speeds reach 119 kW for the smaller battery and 110 kW for the Long Range version, with both options requiring just under thirty minutes to replenish from 10 to 80 percent.
Interior Packaging and the Megabox Trunk
Inside the cabin, the Ioniq 3 offers generous legroom for rear passengers, though the flat floor and under-floor battery placement force occupants into a knees-up seating position. Autofans highlighted the dashboard layout, which includes a digital instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment display running Google-based Pleos software. Sound insulation includes laminated glass and acoustic foam inside 19-inch tires.
Cargo capacity totals 322 liters in the main compartment, supplemented by a 119-liter Megabox located beneath the load floor for taller items. An energy-saving heat pump requires an additional 1,500-euro investment, which bundles a winter pack featuring heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Competing models in the segment adopt varied approaches to price and range. The Volkswagen ID. Renault’s R4 E-Tech relies on a 52 kWh battery to cover 408 kilometers with a 110 kW motor and 100 kW direct-current charging. Meanwhile, the BYD Atto 2 offers a 42 kWh battery for 312 kilometers of range, a 130 kW motor, standard panoramic glass roof, and 65 kW fast charging.
Related reading