Compare the2023 BMW 330eVS 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The 330e’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW 330e has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 330e has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The 330e has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 330e offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the 330e and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The BMW 330e weighs 765 to 862 pounds more than the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the 330e the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 155 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

The 330e’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

Engine

The 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 149 more horsepower (288 vs. 139) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 195) than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 330e, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

The 330e’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the 330e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid:

	330e	330e	Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.2 inches

The 330e’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the 330e has larger standard tires than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (225/45R18 vs. 205/55R16). The 330e’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19 vs. 205/55R16).

The 330e’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 55 series tires. The 330e’s optional 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 330e has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. The 330e offers optional 19-inch wheels.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the 330e can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The 330e has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer rear gas-charged shocks.

The 330e offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 330e’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the 330e easier. The 330e’s trunk lift-over height is 26.7 inches, while the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 28.8 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 330e’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the 330e offers cargo security. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 330e. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the 330e offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or optionally by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The 330e uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the 330e is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 35% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat optional at extra cost in the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, the 330e has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 330e offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 330e’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the 330e the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 330e’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The 330e’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

When the 330e is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 330e’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the 330e and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The 330e also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

On extremely cold winter days, the 330e’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the 330e and the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 330e has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW 330e offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

The 330e will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 330e will retain 42.96% to 43.35% of its original price after five years, while the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid only retains 41.48% to 42.63%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 330e and the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Hyundai Ioniq by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.

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