Hyundai Ioniq 5
When not being left-field is a virtue
Words by Mark Slack
You may have noticed that designers of EVs seem to be competing to produce the most striking, others may choose a different word, design possible to make their cars stand out in the ever-increasing automotive EV crowd. Sometimes though the simple option proves the most striking, and so it is with Hyundai’s Ioniq 5.
It is probably the most normal looking EV and could easily pass for an ICE car at first glance, with the chunky appearance of a 5-door hatchback. Inside offers lots of space and practicality and has the promise of a half-decent range too.
Priced from £39,995 for the 170PS Advance 63kwh model there are two 84kwh versions developing 228PS and a 325PS that comes with all-wheel-drive. Five trim levels include a sporty N-Line and N-Line S with standard equipment across the line-up including navigation, dual-zone climate, auto lights and wipers, Bluetooth, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, smart cruise control, keyless entry and start, powered, heated and folding door mirrors plus heated front seats and steering wheel.
On the road the Ioniq 5 has all the usual smoothness and power you would expect from a top-class EV, with the 84kwh 228PS model passing the benchmark 62mph in just 7.5 seconds and a potential range of 354 miles. In reality I would say it’ll be more like 290-300 miles in real world driving. Still a usefully decent range.
In 63kwh 170PS form it’s a second longer to 62 mph and a real-world range in the region of 220 miles. The ride quality is excellent and although you wouldn’t want to blast across twisting country roads it’s more than capable.
Inside there are numerous, clever details that maximise the already spacious layout from a sliding centre console and sliding rear seats to doors that open wide and make access and egress much easier. You even get a useable ‘frunk’ or small luggage area at the front of the car on the two-wheel-drive models, it’s quite a bit smaller on the all-wheel-drive. As ever these days touchscreen rules as far as most of the functions are concerned although there are some physical buttons.
If you’re someone who has so far not been tempted down the EV route, but would like to be, then I don’t think you would be disappointed with the Ioniq 5. It’s not too left-field style-wise and for an EV, and what it offers, is sensibly priced. Add impressive interior space, refinement and quality, plus instant EV power and, if you charge largely at home, cheaper running costs. There’s little not to like!
Words by Mark Slack
