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The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has been updated and it now features a larger battery delivering a longer range, there are new N Line and N Line S trim levels, and the excellent driving experience remains.
We reviewed the Hyundai IONIQ 5 when it was first launched in 2021 and the overall conclusion was that it was very comfortable, with an impressive driving range. The IONIQ 5 has now had a number of relatively minor updates, the main change being a bigger battery offering a longer range. Are the updates enough to keep it at the front of the pack?
Let’s start with design. When the IONIQ 5 first appeared, its boxy, angular design was seen as bold and radical. The overall design of the latest IONIQ 5 hasn’t changed, but our N Line S test car featured a number of styling details evidently inspired by the IONIQ 5 N. The result is that the N Line S model looks sporty, and more interesting; to our eyes, even with its light grey paint, it’s an improvement on the dark grey IONIQ 5 that we reviewed in 2021.
The cockpit has also been updated, with a sliding centre console, and the N Line S features a much more sporty-looking steering wheel rather than the fairly bland wheel on the IONIQ 5 we tested in 2021.
The car’s external size and interior space haven’t changed; our test car had a decent 520-litre boot, extending to 1,580 litres with the rear seats folded down. Thanks to the bespoke electric platform, it’s spacious inside, with lots of legroom for rear seat occupants, and the rear seats can slide forward and backwards, enhancing practicality.
Aside from the larger Long Range battery, which is now 84 kWh compared to the previous 73 kWh unit (although there’s also a smaller Standard Range 63 kWh battery available), the platform remains unchanged. This means a rear-wheel drive layout, or all-wheel drive in the case of our test car.
The driving experience of the original IONIQ 5 majored on comfort. The IONIQ 5 N shares the same basic qualities, but it can also transform into a crazy electric rally car. The new IONIQ 5 N Line S can easily be mistaken for the IONIQ 5 N in terms of looks, but the driving experience is more akin to the standard model than the raw qualities of the N. Yes, this means a focus on comfort, but it’s also rewarding to drive.
The all-wheel drive model as tested (there’s a small ‘HTRAC’ badge on the tailgate identifying the car as having all-wheel drive) has a power output of 325 PS and torque of 605 Nm, resulting in a 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds. So performance is good, the all-wheel drive powertrain results in excellent grip, and all this is combined with comfortable ride quality – helped by the car’s relatively long wheelbase. The battery’s location in the floor helps in the handling department, but the steering is tuned more for comfort than sharpness. Overall the IONIQ 5 feels more agile than it should do, for a car with a 2,100 kg+ kerb weight.
The IONIQ 5 is rewarding to drive on country roads, but it’s also very refined on long motorway journeys, with minimal road noise, although some wind noise is occasionally evident.
The N-inspired steering wheel makes the driving experience feel much more sporty than the standard IONIQ 5 that we last drove, and the wheel features a prominent red drive mode button, which is so much more convenient than having to delve into on-screen menus to change the drive modes (which are Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow).
As well as the drive mode button, the steering wheel also features paddles to adjust the amount of brake regeneration (with five levels), which is by far the best way of doing this, and the gear selector is located/hidden on the bottom right-hand side of the steering column. The wheel even features a helpful button that allows you to easily switch off the lane departure warning system.
Hang on, did someone say ‘button’? Yes, in contrast to many other EVs such as the Tesla Model 3, the IONIQ 5 has physical buttons in the cockpit – and quite a few of them. In our view, this is much more user-friendly than having all controls on a touchscreen. There are shortcut buttons for the infotainment system, there are buttons for the climate controls, and then separate buttons for the heated seats and heated steering wheel. This is an example of good cockpit design.
The main central touchscreen is large, as is the driver’s instrument display, and there’s also a head-up display. The previous IONIQ 5 didn’t have a rear windscreen wiper; this has been remedied in the new model.
The electric driver’s seat should allow most people to get a good driving position, but the steering wheel would benefit from slightly more reach adjustment.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Line S 84 kWh 325 PS AWD has an official WLTP combined electric driving range of 307 miles. After a week of mixed driving, the real-world range was 283 miles. The 84 kWh 228 PS 2WD IONIQ 5 model has an impressive WLTP combined electric driving range of 354 miles. A smaller 63 kWh battery is available with rear-wheel drive; this offers a WLTP range of 273 miles.
The IONIQ 5’s 800V platform enables a faster maximum ultra-rapid charging rate of 260 kW, which should translate to a 10% to 100% charge in just 18 minutes.
The new IONIQ 5 features a standard battery heating system, battery pre-conditioning and heat pump across the range.
The updated Hyundai IONIQ 5 is available with three powertrain options (with different battery size, power output and drive layout): 63 kWh 170 PS 2WD, 84 kWh 228 PS 2WD, 84 kWh 325 PS AWD. There are also five trim levels: Advance, Premium, N Line, Ultimate, and N Line S, with 10 model combinations of powertrain and trim level.
The price of our N Line S test car was £55,900, although the IONIQ 5 is available from £39,900.
The IONIQ 5 is available with a vehicle to load (V2L) pack. The V2L adapter plugs into the charging socket and has a 3 pin / 240v socket on the opposite end. You can use this to charge another EV from the IONIQ 5 using a charging cable with a 3 pin plug. The V2L pack also gives you a 240v socket which is located under the middle rear seat, to allow you to plug in electronic products with a plug, such as a laptop.
Read the Ford Capri review and book a test drive
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was notable for its bold, boxy, angular styling when it was first launched, as well as its comfortable and refined driving experience, and spacious interior. All these attributes remain in the updated IONIQ 5, but it gains a bigger battery with a longer range, even faster ultra-rapid charging, more interesting exterior styling in N Line S trim, and minor improvements to the already user-friendly cockpit. So the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is still one of our top EV recommendations and it gains a Green Car Guide rating of 9 out of 10. It’s worth highlighting that we awarded the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N a rating of 10 out of 10 because it does everything the IONIQ 5 does, and in addition it takes the interactive and rewarding driving experience for an EV to the next level.
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Paul Clarke, GreenCarGuide Editor
