Photo Credit: Hyundai UKHyundai's newest small electric vehicle is off to a fast start in the U.K.The Ioniq 3, a compact electric hatch priced from £18,495 (around $25,000) after incentives, has already drawn more prelaunch interest than any Hyundai launch the company has had in the U.K., the company said in a press release.Here's what to knowHyundai opened orders for the Ioniq 3 in the U.K. and Europe on Oct. 5. Electrek described it as Hyundai's first compact electric vehicle under the Ioniq branding, and the entry-level Advance trim pairs a 42 kilowatt-hour battery with up to 213 miles of WLTP range at a starting on-the-road price of £18,495, with the U.K.'s £3,750 (around $4,980) Electric Car Grant included.For shoppers who want more range, Hyundai also offers an extended-range Advance version with a 61 kWh battery. That model starts at £21,995 ($29,206) and is rated for up to 308 miles on the WLTP cycle.Electrek noted that pricing places the Ioniq 3 below several U.K. rivals, including the Renault 5 E-Tech (£21,495) and BYD's Dolphin G DM-i (£23,990), giving budget-minded shoppers a lower-cost way into a long-range EV."The response to Ioniq 3 has been extraordinary, with more customers registering their interest before launch than for any new Hyundai we've introduced in the U.K.," Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai Motor UK, said in the release.More backgroundElectric cars can reduce fuel costs and typically require less routine maintenance than gas-powered vehicles. In terms of size, Electrek noted that the Ioniq 3 sits just below the Kia EV3 and Volkswagen ID.3. Hyundai lists the hatch at 163.5 inches (4,155 millimeters) long with a 105.5-inch (2,680-millimeter) wheelbase.Hyundai said the new "Aero Hatch" silhouette was designed to boost efficiency and contributes to a 0.263 drag coefficient.Hyundai said the hatch offers up to 116.5 gallons (441 liters) of boot space, a practical amount for shopping, luggage, and family errands.The vehicle's entry into the U.K. sparked some jealousy from Electrek commenters in the U.S."Another right-sized car we can't get in the U.S.," one reader wrote.What can be done?Hyundai said customers with existing reservations can convert those bookings into full orders and receive the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant instead of the earlier £1,500 (~$1,992) Hyundai Reservation Saving.In the release, Andrew said getting the full grant across all trims means the company "can now turn that interest into orders at a price that puts a genuinely spacious, long-range electric car within reach of far more drivers."With the grant included, Hyundai also reported lease pricing of £355 (~$471) a month for the Ioniq 3 Advance with the 61 kWh battery, based on a matching £355 deposit and 8.9% APR. Given that pricing, the company is bullish about the car in the U.K."With cars arriving in our retailers this month, we're expecting its popularity to continue as more potential buyers manage to get behind the wheel," Andrew concluded in the release.Where can I learn more?Hyundai is expanding its EV lineup while trying to keep prices in reach.• In China, Hyundai's next-gen EV set to transform global markets surfaced in government filings.• Hyundai's Ioniq 5 became the only EV on Kelley Blue Book's best family cars list.• Hyundai began offering free Tesla Supercharger adapters to make fast charging easier.• Hyundai's family buyers have been waiting for the three-row Ioniq 9, despite one lingering flaw.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
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