SPIED: FULLY EXPOSED! Does The Hybrid Hyundai Ioniq LOOK Like It Could Take Down The Toyota Prius And Chevrolet Volt To YOU?

If there's one thing that Hyundai's product portfolio is missing, it's a proper hybrid model that can square up against the likes of the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. Sure, the Korean automaker offers hybrid models in form of the Sonata but they're not as focused as cars like the Prius and Volt.

That will now change. That's because a focused vehicle dubbed Ioniq will lead the charge for Hyundai.

Although we're not sure where it will debut — 2016 Geneva Motor Show or 2016 New York Auto Show (NYIAS) is what we're hearing — we know that it will likely come in more aggressively priced than its competition. That's because that's what Hyundai does best.

Right now the company has only teased some images of the product, and speculation has been bubbling on the street. What is certain are the latest spy photos that show a vehicle that must have been undergoing a promotional video or photoshoot. That's because this model has fully tinted windows and is wearing a stylized plate with the vehicle's nameplate on it.

Anyway you slice it, the car is now fully exposed before its debut and these are the best photos, c/o Brian Williams.

Having said that, do you think THIS is the face of a vehicle that has the power to take down the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt? What say you, Spies?

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MrEE - 12/23/2015 12:28:23 AM

+3 Boost

A pretty close copy of the Prius with different grill/headlights. Grill/headlights do look better than other Hyundai models, though new NSX copy. The headlights are what the new Prius should have received.

Dexter1 - 12/23/2015 8:35:06 AM

+2 Boost

With the new Prius being so hideous, this thing might do well.

MDarringer - 12/23/2015 8:54:15 AM

+2 Boost

The Ioniq looks quite nice. It borrows a page from Tesla in that it is a green car that is not hideous to look at. With Hyundai quality being a match for Toyota, all Hyundai has to do is to hit the market with the right numbers.

As for the Volt and it's 2008 Civic styling...I seriously doubt it is going to be a big success. The Volt is still much more pricey than a Prius.

MicrosoftUser - 12/23/2015 10:41:51 AM

+3 Boost

Just based on looks alone this Ioniq would win me over the unbelievably ugly new Prius disaster. I would't want to even be seen in the new Prius it's that ugly.

TomM - 12/23/2015 11:33:26 AM

+2 Boost

AS long as Oil remains under $50 a Barrel - the outlook for Hybrids - and Plug-ins are bleek. Prius has an advantage of an installed base of owners - far more than the rest combined. I doubt the STYLING alone will move current Toyota owners - and the question is whether to trust Hyundai for the Technology - where Toyota is the leader. Also - dont forget that the Malibu and Accord (ANd other midsize) Hybrids will be available - and could take more from the Prius than a similar size vehicle.

Full Hybrids may make a comeback once oil starts moving upwards in a couple of years - but plug-ins need very high prices to be considered - which means the Volt - for all of its class leading Technology - will still be a non-seller. Now -IF Gm offered a Volt Full Hybrid - that might change - but I don't think they actually will anytime soon.

cidflekken - 12/23/2015 2:07:41 PM

+3 Boost

One of the reasons the past generations of the Prius have been so successful has been its styling (and relative affordability). It had a unique design and stood out from the existing fleet of cars. It screamed, "Look at me, I've gone green. You suck b/c you didn't". That's how these "types" of people are. They love to shout from the rooftops that they are Earth's savior.
There have been other hybrid cars that just never achieved that same level of success b/c they were the hybrid versions of mainstream cars, i.e., Civic. And others have failed b/c they were just not attractive, i.e., Insight.

For this Hyundai, I'm not sure it has that same "Look at me" design about it. It's nice and handsome, but it's also a bit too mainstream. Granted, the new Prius is absolutely atrocious, but that may be its advantage.

skytop - 12/23/2015 8:18:33 PM

0 Boost

Chevy is dead in the water. Toyota will put up a fight but other than Toyo loyalists will bolt over to the handsome well built Hyundai.

HughJass - 12/28/2015 1:38:59 PM

+1 Boost

So they squared off the headlights from the outgoing Prius. Slow clapping in 3, 2, 1. Better put Tesla on notice.