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Hyundai’s first generation of electric cars impressed us thanks to the ability to match the official range in the real world thanks to excellent efficiency. Now Hyundai has launched its first bespoke EV, and the results are even more impressive.
The IONIQ 5 is the first mainstream EV to adopt an 800V architecture, which is something that has previously been limited to cars costing twice as much. 800V systems have several benefits, but the biggest customer benefit is ultra-rapid charging. The Hyundai system can handle up to 220 kW of power which allows an 80% charge in just 18 minutes.
The entry-level model has a 63 kWh battery pack with an official range of 273 miles. If you want more you can opt for an 84 kWh battery which delivers 354 miles on the official test, or in AWD configuration 311 miles. The great news is that they are all very competitively priced despite the excellent range and ultra-rapid charge capability.
One of the great benefits of using a bespoke EV platform is packaging. The IONIQ 5 exemplifies this with excellent interior space for both front and rear passengers combined with a useful 520 litres of boot space which is accessed through a European-friendly hatchback.
Technically the ‘5’ nails the brief, but we also happen to think that it looks great. The exterior is unique, modern and slightly retro all at the same time. The interior is equally cool, but also combines driver-friendly physical buttons with very clear instrument and infotainment display screens. It looks good but is also user friendly.
Performance is well judged, resisting the temptation to chase 0-62 times the Hyundai is brisk but also delivers excellent efficiency. It’s spot on for a family car, and if you do want a bit more go, the bigger battery models deliver more performance – and if you want an electric rally car, there’s always the IONIQ 5 N.
The IONIQ 5 is very well judged, delivering exceptional ultra-rapid recharging times, a very good range, lots of interior space and brisk performance. The fact that it is also packaged in such a unique exterior and a stylish and practical interior is a bonus. The icing on the cake is the pricing strategy, which makes it feel like a bit of a steal, and takes the ‘5’ to the top of the class.
Read our full Hyundai IONIQ 5 review
Read our full Hyundai IONIQ 5 N review
Note that the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N has recently been updated – see the updated Hyundai IONIQ 5 review
Estimated real world range: 200 – 273 miles
Official range: 273 miles
Official electricity consumption: 156 Wh/km
Battery pack: 63 kWh (net) lithium ion; 8 year / 100,000 mile warranty
Recharge time: 7 kW charge approx 8 hours 50 mins; 11 kW charge approx 5 hours 50 mins (10 – 100%); Rapid CCS 50 kW approx 58 minutes (10 – 80%); Ultra Rapid CCS 220 kW 18 minutes (10 – 80%)
Please note that CO2 emissions quoted for electric cars are not directly comparable to diesel and petrol cars. This is because CO2 emissions quoted are calculated by Green Car Guide and include the emissions created at the power station turning fuel (e.g. gas etc) into electricity and in transmitting and distributing the electricity to an end user. They do not include the actual production of the fuel (e.g. gas extraction and refinery emissions). Petrol and diesel emissions are supplied by car manufacturers and are based solely on the fuel burnt in the engine (tailpipe emissions) and do not include the production of the fuel or distribution to a fuel station. In practice this means that electric car emissions are over-estimated relative to petrol and diesel. For instance if an electric car, a petrol car, and a diesel car are all reported to emit 100 g/km CO2, the electric car actually has lower emissions.
