Hyundai has opened UK reservations for the new IONIQ 3, revealing prices from £22,245 and a choice of two batteries offering up to 308 miles of expected range.
The compact electric hatchback sits below the IONIQ 5 and targets the increasingly competitive affordable-EV market. Its combination of usable range, family-friendly practicality and new in-car technology could make it one of Hyundai’s most important electric models.
Two front-wheel-drive powertrains will be offered, while the trim range extends from the entry-level Advance to the sportier N Line Evo.
Hyundai IONIQ 3 UK prices
The IONIQ 3 Advance with the smaller 42.2kWh battery starts at £22,245 on the road. It produces 147PS and has an expected WLTP range of 213 miles.
The 61kWh Advance increases the expected range to 308 miles and costs £25,745 before any applicable Hyundai reservation saving or anticipated Electric Car Grant support.
| Version | Battery | Expected range | UK price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance | 42.2kWh | 213 miles | £22,245 |
| Advance | 61kWh | 308 miles | £25,745 |
| Premium | 61kWh | 303 miles | £27,445 |
| Ultimate | 61kWh | 300 miles | £29,945 |
| N Line Evo | 61kWh | 265 miles | £31,945 |
Hyundai also lists lower parenthetical prices for the 61kWh models where a reservation saving or anticipated Electric Car Grant applies. Buyers should therefore confirm the final on-the-road price and eligibility with their retailer.
Official range figures remain subject to final homologation.
Two battery options and 30-minute rapid charging
Both versions use a 400-volt electrical architecture rather than the more expensive 800-volt system fitted to larger Hyundai EVs.
The 42.2kWh model can accept up to 119kW from a suitable DC charger, completing a 10–80% charge in an estimated 29 minutes. The 61kWh battery peaks at 110kW and requires approximately 30 minutes, according to Hyundai’s published technical data.
Those figures are respectable for an affordable compact EV, although they are not intended to compete with the exceptionally high charging speeds offered by Hyundai’s larger IONIQ models.
A 7kW home charger is expected to complete a 10–100% charge in around six hours and 20 minutes for the smaller battery, or eight hours and 35 minutes for the 61kWh version.
An 11kW three-phase onboard charger is also fitted. Battery heating and preconditioning are standard from Premium trim upwards, but are not included as standard on the two Advance versions.
That distinction is worth noting for drivers who regularly rely on rapid charging during colder weather, when battery preconditioning can make a significant difference.
Pleos Connect makes its European Hyundai debut
The IONIQ 3 will be the first European Hyundai to feature Pleos Connect, the company’s new infotainment platform based on Android Automotive OS.
Advance and Premium versions receive a 12.9-inch display, while the N Line Evo uses a larger 14.6-inch system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard throughout the range.
Pleos Connect also supports AI-enhanced voice recognition and an app marketplace, while Hyundai’s integrated EV route planner can identify charging stops during longer journeys.
Other available technology includes Plug & Charge, Hyundai Digital Key 2 and Vehicle-to-Load functionality. V2L allows the car’s battery to power compatible electrical equipment at up to 3.6kW, although it is part of an optional EV Pack on eligible versions.
The N Line Evo adds Memory Reverse Assist, which can record the previous 50 metres of steering and driving inputs before helping the car reverse along the same route.
Compact outside but practical inside
At 4,155mm long, the IONIQ 3 has a compact footprint, but its dedicated electric platform provides a flat floor and a 2,680mm wheelbase.
Boot capacity is quoted at 441 litres with the rear seats upright and 1,213 litres when they are folded. A concealed 119-litre storage area beneath the boot floor provides additional space for charging cables and smaller items.
Standard Advance equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera.
Premium adds equipment including a wireless phone charger, privacy glass and a separate digital instrument display. Ultimate introduces heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and additional driver-assistance technology. Full trim details are available on the official Hyundai IONIQ 3 product page.
Why the IONIQ 3 could matter
The affordable electric hatchback market is becoming increasingly important as manufacturers attempt to close the price gap between electric and combustion-powered cars.
The IONIQ 3 will compete with models including the Renault 5, Renault 4, Cupra Raval, Volkswagen ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq.
Its headline advantage is the availability of more than 300 miles of expected range for £25,745 before any applicable saving. That places genuinely useful long-distance range within reach of buyers who may previously have needed to consider a larger and more expensive electric SUV.
Owners able to charge at home should also benefit from substantially lower energy costs than drivers relying entirely on public rapid chargers. Tech Torque Media’s home EV charging guide and charging-cost breakdown explain the practical differences.
Tech Torque Verdict
The Hyundai IONIQ 3 appears to combine three qualities the affordable EV market urgently needs: competitive pricing, useful range and genuine everyday practicality.
The 110–119kW rapid-charging peaks are relatively modest, and the absence of standard battery preconditioning on Advance versions deserves attention. However, a 308-mile compact EV priced from £25,745 could represent compelling value.
A full judgement will have to wait until the car is driven in UK conditions, but the specification suggests Hyundai has produced considerably more than a stripped-back entry-level electric car.
