Used Hyundai IONIQ

Being available in three guises, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric could be quite confusing, but in simple terms, it just depends on how much electric input you want.

The hybrid uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine, which is joined by an electric motor. They work side by side to help the car in performance and economy factors, although it's difficult to keep the car in full-electric mode, as the engine will kick in from time to time. You'll still return around 62mpg though, which isn't bad, but total electric range is not really substantial enough.

The 39-mile full-electric range in the plug-in hybrid version is more substantial, as part of a 194 total mile range, but you will have to re-charge via a plug socket or changing station, unlike the hybrid, which doesn't need charging via these methods.

The plug-in hybrid also uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine. It takes around five hours to charge off a 3-pin socket, or half this time with a dedicated wall box. You will benefit from around 250mpg economy though, so the compromise is worth it in comparison.

The fully-electric IONIQ is the quickest out of the three, taking under 10 seconds to get from 0 to 62mph, as opposed to the others taking just over 10 seconds. The electric IONIQ takes around 6 hours to charge to 80% from a 7kwh charger or under an hour from a rapid charging point. The total range is the same as the plug-in version.

Receiving a facelift in late 2019, cars after this time feature the smartest and most modern interiors, with fully-digital instrument clusters and a more impressive infotainment screen. The interior ambiance and quality is also unsurprisingly better as a whole.

Earlier cars don't feel outdated though, and have the vibe of most electric cars being a bit quirky and interesting in their interior presentation. You get semi-digital dials and blue detailing expressing their electric nature - this blue detail can be seen on some parts of the exterior too.

Naturally, Hyundai entry-level models come well-equipped, and the IONIQ is no different. The entry-level SE features a touchscreen infotainment system, DAB, Bluetooth, cruise control, rear parking sensors and even a reversing camera. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come on later cars too.

As for safety, the IONIQ scores top marks, thanks to being awarded a full 5 stars in the Euro NCAP safety ratings. This is thanks to features including:

• Seven airbags
• Blind spot monitoring
• Lane-departure warning
• Cross-traffic alert