The IONIQ 5 is Hyundai's first dedicated EV, but it's not the super cheap electric car everyone
was hoping for, at least not from launch. It costs around $10,000 more than Australia's top selling
EV, the Tesla Model 3. So what does it have to offer besides an epic design? Let's find out.
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One model grade and two powertrains are offered, and here we are testing the
more expensive dual motor model, setting you back more than $80,000 on the road,
making it the most expensive Hyundai today. It's all new from the ground up and is the
first vehicle to use the brand's advanced 800 volt EV architecture.
Simply put, this is the first shot fired in the Korean brand's $25 billion EV assault,
as the IONIQ sub brand aims to become one of the top three global EV players. Yup,
this is big business. Now, have a look at this design, it's big, it's bold,
and it's unlike anything else out there today. Well, except maybe the Honda e.
Its boxy shape channels the 1980s in sensational style,
taking inspiration from Hyundai's first mass produced car, the Pony.
Zoom in a little closer, and you'll notice a number of really neat design features,
starting with these flush fitting power door handles.
There's also wheel arches that mimic the aperture of a camera lens, gorgeous 3D pixel LED headlights
and indicators. And at the back of the car, the retro-themed cubist pixel LED lights continue.
Despite its angular shape, it's supremely aerodynamic,
helped along by active aero, which improves its overall driving range.
Overall, I love the design. It's unusual, a bit
cheeky, and tells the world you're driving an interesting EV without looking like a try hard.
There are single and dual mode variance, offering rear drive and all-wheel drive respectively,
with power pumping through a single speed reduction gear. Total cruising range is
a little bit better for rear drive models, at around 450 kilometres.
Some clever future proofing has gone into the car too,
with 400 volt and 800 volt charging capabilities. The latter, a first for a mainstream EV. Simply
put, it means ultra fast charging capability. On a 350 kilowatt fast charger, Hyundai reckon
it only takes 17 minutes to charge the battery from 10% to 80% full. That is seriously quick.
It goes the other way too. So you can charge or even run electrical appliances and equipment
from fridges to laptops with this adapter. It's a really neat setup, you basically plug it in here,
and that's where you plug in your devices, and you've even got this
waterproof section here to keep the rain out.
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The IONIQ 5 cabin isn't as futuristic as I expected, but there is plenty of
wow factor. These dual LCD screens, that clean dashboard, and I love the blend of
typical Hyundai practicality with some really funky design features.
There's loads of room upfront, and the 12-way power adjustable,
heated and cooled front seats are nice and comfy. The eco-leather seat upholstery
is supple and sustainable, partly made from recycled plastic bottles and wool,
just don't ask [chuckle] about the rare earth materials in the battery.
The front seats also have a relaxion zero gravity feature, which... Yup, I can still feel gravity,
but it is pretty cool. You can sit back here, dial up back and relax while the batteries charge.
Or just stare at the sky through this giant glass
roof. You get a manually adjustable heated steering wheel with a trick design
and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels.
I love these futuristic stocks, they feel great and especially that novel gear shifter. And look,
overall fit and finish is very good. It all feels rather luxurious.
Incidental storage is excellent, starting with this sliding cubby that has
loads of space. Plus, there's three USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and good size cup holders.
There's also a massive glove box drawer with 9.4 litres of space.
There's another central cubby that's a bit hard to reach, plus good sized door pockets.
Twin 12.3 inch LCD screens are covered by a
single glass pane, and they look fantastic. I like the white backing, the thin border,
and they dominate that low dashboard, but I'm a bit disappointed you don't get the augmented
reality head up display offered in Korea. That said, the driver display is very comprehensive.
As well as a digital speedometer and three drive modes,
there are power and charge gauges plus energy flow and remaining range displays.
The central touch screen looks fantastic and has one of the most intuitive menu systems
I've ever used. There's loads of functionality, it all makes sense.
And there's even guide to your nearest public fast charger. How good is that?
You get wide Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the reversing camera is crisp and clear,
with a 3D flick and spin system. It can even park itself whether the driver is in the car or not,
which is pretty cool. Below the central screen is a concise panel for the climate controls,
and I like that major functions have hard buttons. You also get smart vents,
auto defogging and auto dehumidifier, which is a nice touch.
The EV comes with all the safety features you'd expect, including seven air bags and the
inclusion of a junction crossing function that looks both ways if you forget to. A blind spot
live feed is also a great safety feature, and one that few other cars offer at the moment.
Except for headroom, this mid-size SUV has loads of space back here. There's a really
nice sense of airiness, and that's because it's got that flat floor, there's no transmission
tunnel here. The only thing under here is a giant lithium ion battery pack.
The back seats are heated and par-adjustable in two directions, and amenity is very good,
with window blinds, USB ports, air vents, reading lights and armrest with cup holders and more seat
adjust buttons here. You also get two ISOFIX and three top tether child seat anchorages.
There's a hands-free power tailgate or you can open it with the button under here,
and it reveals a good sized boot. You get this
cargo cover here removable if you like. And look, flexibility is so so.
There's no bag hooks, although you do get a 12 volt socket, four tie-downs and a hidden
cargo compartment with clever folding floor, but no spare tire. There is a puncture repair
kit instead. The 60-40 split rear seats can also be folded down for a lot more space.
There is no doubt the interior concept in this vehicle is impressive,
but how does she drive? Let's power on, cue the '80s synth music.
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[chuckle]
Okay, this is sleek, I will not lie. Right away, I'm impressed by how smooth, refined,
and effortless it is to drive.
Acoustically laminated windows, almost silent motors and excellent autonomous
driver assistance systems deliver a premium experience, but behind its serene personality,
there is serious performance, mash the throttle and it blasts forward with tremendous thrust.
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On paper, this twin motor model doesn't make a whole lot of power, especially by today's
standards, but the way in which it develops a high level of torque instantly and without
having to rev makes it seriously rapid. Yeah, I cannot wait for the hardcore end version.
But it's not all about going fast. If you want to get the best range, you need to caress the
accelerator pedal with tenderness or engage the i-pedal mode, which dials up huge levels
of regenerative braking, capable of stopping the car without even touching the break pedal.
It takes time to master, but it's actually pretty cool using that single pedal system, you kinda
have to read the road had a little bit more, but in a way it gets you more engaged with the drive.
Hyundai claims this dual motor version is good for 430 kilometres, and during this test,
we manage closer to 400 kilometres, but I must say I was pushing the throttle pretty hard
and there was a lot of country driving in there too. If you're just doing city driving,
and you're not going too fast, you'll get really good mileage out of this.
Handling dynamics are where EVs often struggled to match conventional cars,
their extra weight from the battery systems making them feel a bit
doughy and lethargic in corners. And the IONIQ 5, well, it's no hot hatch,
but neither does it pretend to be. It's an SUV and it fulfils that role very well.
Despite the massive 20-inch alloy wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Tires,
and no adaptive suspension, ride comfort is actually pretty good.
You feel some sharper bumps, but overall it glides pretty nicely on most road surfaces.
The view out of the car is pretty good, thanks to these large glass windows and that low dashboard.
The only thing that would improve vision is a pair of digital wing mirrors, I reckon.
The overall driving experience is best described as smooth and highly integrated, with the
regenerative breaking modes changing how you drive in a meaningful way. And while it's far from the
cheapest electric car in Australia, with the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 costing around
$10,000 less, it does have a decent warranty and low service costs. There is a lot to like
about this car besides its striking design. It's a well-executed and very polished product. It's
feature-packed and even has a bit of personality, something you can't say about all EVs.
This is an undeniably cool car. It represents a pretty good value for money,
and it's got future-proof charging systems. But it's not the cut price game changer that's gonna
bring buyers to EVs on mass. That car is yet to materialise, but I sense we're very, very close.