Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback review
"The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the first purpose-built electric car for Hyundai's EV brand and it's a cracker"
Pros
- Stylish
- Ultra-fast charging
- Practical
Cons
- Slightly fidgety ride
- Can get expensive
- So-so range from 58kWh battery
Hyundai’s Kona Electric may already be an excellent electric car but the Ioniq 5 represents the Korean manufacturer's next generation of EV. The Ioniq 5 has its sights aimed high, trained on models like the Volkswagen ID.4, Audi Q4 e-tron, Skoda Enyaq iV, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
A purpose-built electric car that'll never be available as a petrol or plug-in hybrid model, the Ioniq 5 has an upmarket design inside and out. Its retro-modern styling is angular and has features like 8-bit headlights to catch the eye.
It shares its underpinnings with the Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60 and is bigger than you'd first assume from how it looks in photos. More like a scaled-up hatchback than an SUV, the Ioniq 5 is actually wider and longer than a Hyundai Tucson SUV, albeit not quite as high off the ground. Thanks to these dimensions, the distance between the front and rear axles and the flat floor, there's masses of space inside.
Rear space is almost limo-like, the boot measures 527 litres and the Ioniq 5 can even tow a respectable amount, making it surprisingly practical. The interior also feels as modern as you'd expect, with twin digital screens for driving information and media or navigation. They can't quite match the Tesla Model Y for sheer wow factor but they're crisp, intuitive and offer plenty of connectivity.
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There's a range of battery and motor options available, starting with an entry-level 58kWh battery and single 168bhp motor powering the rear wheels for up to 238 miles on a charge. Step up to the 73kWh battery and range improves, starting from 267 miles all the way up to 298 miles, while power is also upped to 214bhp, cutting the 0-62mph time to 7.4 seconds. Alternatively, this battery is also available with dual motors, 301bhp and 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds. The Ioniq 5 drives pretty well, with a low centre of gravity helping it stay flat in corners without its suspension being bone-jarringly stiff.
Another big win for the Ioniq 5 is charging because it supports ultra-fast 800V top-ups, capable of taking the battery from 10-80% in less than 20 minutes at a compatible 350kW public charging station. Up until now, this has only been seen in range-topping luxury EVs like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.
Hyundai is fast becoming a leader for mainstream EVs and the Ioniq 5 features cutting-edge technology not seen before in its class. It also feels roomy, well built and boasts an excellent infotainment setup. For drivers who often head further afield, the 73kWh single motor version is likely to be the sweet-spot in the range, with plenty of performance for most drivers, an excellent 298-mile range and a lower price than the dual-motor version.
