Hyundai Ioniq 5 review

Hyundai and its sister brand Kia are no strangers to the electric-car market: for years now, they’ve been producing some of the best-value EVs around. But the original Ioniq electric hatchback and Kona electric SUV are old news now, because the internet-breaking Ioniq 5 is here.

Unlike its budget-minded siblings, however, the Ioniq 5 has loftier ambitions, with its sights set on the premium electric car crowd. The Ioniq 5’s rivals include the Audi Q4 e-tron, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Model 3, as well as higher-spec versions of the Volkswagen ID.3. Thankfully, Hyundai has given its latest electric car class-leading technology and made it more of a head-turner than most supercars.

The retro-inspired styling trend is taking over the electric-car market at the moment – and we're all for it if it means more creations like this and the new Renault 5 end up on our roads. But it’s not just the wedge-shaped design, inspired by '70s and '80s hatchbacks, that makes the Ioniq 5 stand out. It also features 20-inch alloy wheels and cool details like the '8-bit' headlights made from 256 individual LED ‘cubes’ you’d typically only see on a concept car.

Thanks to short overhangs at the front and rear, even though it's as long as a Volkswagen ID.4, the Hyundai has a longer wheelbase than the Audi A8 executive saloon. This pays dividends inside, as opening the huge rear doors reveals a vast interior, a flat floor and a limousine-esque amount of rear legroom. Unlike a luxury saloon however, the large windows and open-plan design of the Ioniq 5’s cabin make it feel bright and spacious.

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The Ioniq 5 is comfy, too, with squishy yet supportive seats all round. The front seats can also fold almost completely flat. We’re not entirely sure why, but it's still mighty impressive. There’s also an impressive 527 litres of boot space on offer.

Like most electric cars, up front you get a pair of screens. The central one uses a similar interface to other Hyundai models, but the graphics in the Ioniq 5’s are much cleaner. The digital driver’s display is also intuitive and clear to read, but perhaps doesn’t boast the same resolution as a Tesla display. What is good is how well the driver assist systems are integrated. For example, models equipped with blind-spot cameras display the images in real time in the instrument panel when the indicators are turned on.

What’s even more impressive is the Ioniq 5’s charging capability. It can charge at up to 220kW – if you can find one of the 350kW ultra-rapid charging points capable of those speeds – so you can recharge from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. Not only is that double the charging speed of most current electric cars; until now it’s been a feature reserved for more exclusive models like the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

But while it may charge at lightning speeds, the Ioniq 5 doesn’t go down the road in the same fashion. The first powertrain option features a single, rear-mounted 168bhp electric motor and 58kWh battery for a range of 238 miles and 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds.

The next option is also rear-drive only, but uses a 214bhp motor so can cover 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds. Plus, its larger 73kWh battery means it has the longest range of the lot, at 300 miles. The top-spec, all-wheel-drive 301bhp version of the over-two-tonne car goes from 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and also uses a 73kWh battery, however its 267-mile range is shorter than that of the single-motor car. 

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On the road, the Ioniq 5 is smooth and relaxing, gliding silently off the line. The suspension is relatively soft, and prioritises comfort over handling, but body roll is kept in check. At lower speeds however, the 20-inch wheels can cause the car to fidget a bit over smaller road bumps, but the soft seats help to manage any discomfort from that.

Occasionally fidgetity ride aside, the only negative we can think of when it comes to the Ioniq 5 is the lack of a rear wiper. That’s it. The Ioniq 5 is even reasonably priced compared to rivals, with prices starting from £36,995 for the entry-level version, rising to £48,145 for the Ultimate trim and 73kWh four-wheel-drive powertrain of our test car. Overall, the Ioniq 5’s price tag is on par with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4 and what we expect the Tesla Model Y will cost when it arrives on British shores. Plus, it frequently undercuts the Audi Q4 e-tron and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The Ioniq 5 is an outstanding electric car, worthy of the anticipation that’s been building around it thanks to its charging capabilities, comfort and value-for-money. Plus, Hyundai has already announced that an Ioniq 6 electric saloon and Ioniq 7 electric SUV are on the way – and if they’re even on par with this first offering from the Ioniq brand, premium rival brands should be worried.