Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in and Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

As South Koreans demanded for some fuel-efficient vehicles in tough times, Hyundai and Kia responded to these times with their latest PHEV offerings for the general public. For Hyundai, they have the Ioniq Plug-in for those who are living the urban lifestyle. For Kia, they have the Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Korea's first PHEV crossover made for the outgoing people. Let's take a look at these two PHEVs offered for the Korean motoring public and why they are significant to them.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in

First off, let's look at the Ioniq Plug-In, the third addition to the Ioniq range consisting of the normal hybrid model and the electric model that runs only on electric power. With prices start from 33,730,000 Korean Won until privileges applied to its pricing to make it 27,300,000 Won his is by no means the best of both worlds for the third Ioniq because with this one, they can do both things; refuel and recharge, and this is the future done right by the Koreans.

With the Kappa GDi 1.6L petrol engine producing 105PS of power coupled with the 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox unheard from most PHEVs, this Ioniq can get through 0-100kph in 10.6 seconds and 80-120kph in 7.6 seconds, so this PHEV is very spritey with life. In EV mode, it can travel up to 46km of driving range, and fuel efficiency, it promises a combined rate of 20.5km/L. Not bad for a PHEV that weighs around one and a half ton. Because this is an Ioniq, its aerodynamic styling plays a crucial role in attaining its fuel efficiency status and that is a good thing. Even though this is just Korea's take on the Prius PHV, the Ioniq Plug-in handles like a dream and once you get a hold of it, it feels like you can forget about the stubborn image of what a PHEV looks like because the world needs a better one, not another one as you may.

Of course, because this is one of the most advanced PHEV vehicles ever made, the Ioniq Plug-in comes with Hyundai Smart Sense consists of Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist System, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise Control. Simple as that.

2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Now, let's take a look on the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Korea's first PHEV crossover SUV ever built. With prices start at 33,050,000 Won before government subsidy applied, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid might be the ideal fuel-efficient crossover fit enough for your quiet Sunday drives.

Like the Ioniq Plug-in, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a Kappa GDi 1.6L petrol engine producing 105PS of power coupled with the 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, and like the Ioniq Plug-in, you can refuel it or recharge it with the available 220V charger.

In EV mode, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid can travel up to 40km of driving range and with both the engine and the electric motor armed, it can travel up to 840km of driving range. In other words, that gives it 18.6km/L of combined fuel efficiency. Easier said than done.

With these PHEVs offered to the Korean motoring public, fuel efficiency and ecology never felt so alive and when the Japanese offered us fuel efficiency PHEVs that are too regular to drive on a day-to-day basis, the Koreans sure know how to liven it up with a little bit of driving fun that is unheard of from most PHEVs and with cars like the Ioniq and Niro, they really are heading on the right direction.