New Company Hack: Hyundai Hybrid
Discussion
... 
I know, I know.
My recent car history-
Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Sport (MK1)
Peugeot 306 HDi 2.0
Ford Mondeo 2.0 Estate
Mazda 6 2.2 diesel SE Nav
Seat Leon FR Diesel (184)
Volkswagen Golf GTD
The above second-half of the list have all been company cars.
When I started a new role in November I didn't want to give my GTD back, but when I was offered a 320d Msport Auto I was perked up a bit!
That was until I ran the tax figures through various websites. The modest payrise the new role gave me would be completely swallowed-up, and then some. I'd be worse off.
So I set about asking after alternatives, instantly jumping to the suggestion of another GTD.
Got the nod, picked a colour and waited.
Had a phonecall about 2 days later stating that the GTD BlueLine was on a 33 week delivery estimate, likely to be longer than this, due to the WLTP legislation.
That also ruled out any other VAG 2.0 TDi (Skoda, Seat, Audi...)
In fact the only similar car which was available was a Peugeot 308 GT Auto (180ps).
I'm a big fan of Pugs having previously owned 4 of them (all 306s, mind) and growing up with my dad having 406s. But Peugeot dropped a b*llock on the 2019 MY 308. Usually with a run-out model you'd expect it to be heavy with standard equipment, but oh-no, they had instead made much of the GT spec optional in lieu of making the panoramic roof standard. So no active cruise, no heated seats amongst other things.
I still went to look at one but it was very undesirable in the flesh and for a brand new car it's starting to show its age badly. I also didn't like the teeny steering wheel and HVAC controls via the laggy touch-screen.
So what to do then? The gubberment and WLTP rightly messed it all up for me.
I changed my tact and started at the other end of the spectrum; which cars could save me the most money?
Naturally hybrid cars have the lowest CO² figures by a long way, which is how the BIK is calculated. My GTD was costing in the region of £175/month, which is reasonable (I thought). The 320d originally offered was going to be in the region of £310!
So which Hybrid?
Obviously happy with the Golf, I really wanted a GTE. Apart from you can't order one of these from VW "due to demand" if you believe that.
I got offered an Auris, but with its CVT 'box and dated looks (imminently being replaced by the new Corolla) I swerved it without even looking.
What I've ended up with is a Hyundai.
I had an i30 hire car last year whilst my GTD was in for repairs and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was and how well screwed-together it seemed. It's leaps and bounds beyond the equivalent Vauxhall and on-par if not better than a Ford product.
So last week I took delivery of my Hyundai Ioniq Premium SE.
What is it?
It's a hybrid. Obviously.
It has a traditional 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddles if you're that way inclined; so in my opinion far better than a Toyota hybrid to drive.
Powering it is a 1.6 naturally-aspirated petrol engine which just about puts out 100hp (I think) but it wasn't built for speed
In conjunction with the oily bit is a 40hp electric motor which cuts in and out pretty seemlessly.
I've had all of 7 days now and early impressions are that whilst it's not as fun to drive as my old Golf or Leon, it's saving me over £100/month in tax alone plus the associated fuel-saving costs.
Sport mode is also pretty fun, whilst nobody is under any illusion that this is in any way a sporty car launching it from the traffic lights in Sport mode is both childish and relatively quick, to a point. That point is about 45mph
Options-wise this is the top-spec so it has lots of toys, the entertainment system seems to have less lag than the Golf 7.5 whilst not being as pretty or well-integrated. Heated steering wheel and front and rear seats, electric drivers seat, ventilated front seats etc etc.
I even opted-out of the free upgrade to 17" alloys, much to the surprise of the lease company. This is because last year there was a "6" C0²'s advantage to going with the 15" aero wheels, but they've since changed this for the 2019 model year. Never mind, it now rides very comfortably and I don't need to worry about kerbing the wheels!
The "Sport Mode" screen:
All very exciting I'm sure you'll agree. It's not soul-destroying to drive, which was my concern immediately after ordering it, so I'll take that!
I know, I know.
My recent car history-
Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Sport (MK1)
Peugeot 306 HDi 2.0
Ford Mondeo 2.0 Estate
Mazda 6 2.2 diesel SE Nav
Seat Leon FR Diesel (184)
Volkswagen Golf GTD
The above second-half of the list have all been company cars.
When I started a new role in November I didn't want to give my GTD back, but when I was offered a 320d Msport Auto I was perked up a bit!
That was until I ran the tax figures through various websites. The modest payrise the new role gave me would be completely swallowed-up, and then some. I'd be worse off.
So I set about asking after alternatives, instantly jumping to the suggestion of another GTD.
Got the nod, picked a colour and waited.
Had a phonecall about 2 days later stating that the GTD BlueLine was on a 33 week delivery estimate, likely to be longer than this, due to the WLTP legislation.
That also ruled out any other VAG 2.0 TDi (Skoda, Seat, Audi...)
In fact the only similar car which was available was a Peugeot 308 GT Auto (180ps).
I'm a big fan of Pugs having previously owned 4 of them (all 306s, mind) and growing up with my dad having 406s. But Peugeot dropped a b*llock on the 2019 MY 308. Usually with a run-out model you'd expect it to be heavy with standard equipment, but oh-no, they had instead made much of the GT spec optional in lieu of making the panoramic roof standard. So no active cruise, no heated seats amongst other things.
I still went to look at one but it was very undesirable in the flesh and for a brand new car it's starting to show its age badly. I also didn't like the teeny steering wheel and HVAC controls via the laggy touch-screen.
So what to do then? The gubberment and WLTP rightly messed it all up for me.
I changed my tact and started at the other end of the spectrum; which cars could save me the most money?
Naturally hybrid cars have the lowest CO² figures by a long way, which is how the BIK is calculated. My GTD was costing in the region of £175/month, which is reasonable (I thought). The 320d originally offered was going to be in the region of £310!
So which Hybrid?
Obviously happy with the Golf, I really wanted a GTE. Apart from you can't order one of these from VW "due to demand" if you believe that.
I got offered an Auris, but with its CVT 'box and dated looks (imminently being replaced by the new Corolla) I swerved it without even looking.
What I've ended up with is a Hyundai.
I had an i30 hire car last year whilst my GTD was in for repairs and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was and how well screwed-together it seemed. It's leaps and bounds beyond the equivalent Vauxhall and on-par if not better than a Ford product.
So last week I took delivery of my Hyundai Ioniq Premium SE.
What is it?
It's a hybrid. Obviously.
It has a traditional 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddles if you're that way inclined; so in my opinion far better than a Toyota hybrid to drive.
Powering it is a 1.6 naturally-aspirated petrol engine which just about puts out 100hp (I think) but it wasn't built for speed
In conjunction with the oily bit is a 40hp electric motor which cuts in and out pretty seemlessly.
I've had all of 7 days now and early impressions are that whilst it's not as fun to drive as my old Golf or Leon, it's saving me over £100/month in tax alone plus the associated fuel-saving costs.
Sport mode is also pretty fun, whilst nobody is under any illusion that this is in any way a sporty car launching it from the traffic lights in Sport mode is both childish and relatively quick, to a point. That point is about 45mph
Options-wise this is the top-spec so it has lots of toys, the entertainment system seems to have less lag than the Golf 7.5 whilst not being as pretty or well-integrated. Heated steering wheel and front and rear seats, electric drivers seat, ventilated front seats etc etc.
I even opted-out of the free upgrade to 17" alloys, much to the surprise of the lease company. This is because last year there was a "6" C0²'s advantage to going with the 15" aero wheels, but they've since changed this for the 2019 model year. Never mind, it now rides very comfortably and I don't need to worry about kerbing the wheels!
The "Sport Mode" screen:
All very exciting I'm sure you'll agree. It's not soul-destroying to drive, which was my concern immediately after ordering it, so I'll take that!
i quite like the idea of these.
a prius is just too eco and i hate CVT after having an auris forced by my employer. These things ought to be a decent middleground, low tax ecomobile with a proper gearbox and plenty of kit.
few have passed through on short term lease and everyone whos had them has been impressed.
maybe when i replace my civic....but but by then I'll probably be going electric
a prius is just too eco and i hate CVT after having an auris forced by my employer. These things ought to be a decent middleground, low tax ecomobile with a proper gearbox and plenty of kit.
few have passed through on short term lease and everyone whos had them has been impressed.
maybe when i replace my civic....but but by then I'll probably be going electric
Exactly, never going to be exciting but serves its' purpose. It allowed the budget for our family car to be increased (man maths at work) so we recently upgraded to a VW Tiguan for the daily duties and weekends -
My first (and probably only, being as it is a company car!) modification was to swap out the amber indicator bulbs for some silver ones. I was surprised neither these nor the rear ones are LED - it seems they saved the LED assemblies for the all-electric model, which in itself seems mad because they've developed halogen, LED and bi-xenon lamps for the front end of what is effectively the same model! Being a hybrid mine has the bi-xenon, which are more than adequate.
My first (and probably only, being as it is a company car!) modification was to swap out the amber indicator bulbs for some silver ones. I was surprised neither these nor the rear ones are LED - it seems they saved the LED assemblies for the all-electric model, which in itself seems mad because they've developed halogen, LED and bi-xenon lamps for the front end of what is effectively the same model! Being a hybrid mine has the bi-xenon, which are more than adequate.
Have to commend you on the interior colour choice, far better than dull dark black.
What surprises me is that these have already dropped below £14k on the used market with under 30k miles so a good £3000 saving vs an the equivalent prius. I expect to see a lot of Ioniq taxi's round here in the next year or so
What surprises me is that these have already dropped below £14k on the used market with under 30k miles so a good £3000 saving vs an the equivalent prius. I expect to see a lot of Ioniq taxi's round here in the next year or so
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