Hyundai Ioniq 5 review: Thinking outside the box

Five years after it launched, can the radical looking Hyundai Ioniq 5 still count itself among the best electric family SUVs?

If any “legacy” car brands have emerged stronger than before in the first decade of the EV revolution, Hyundai must be among them.

After years producing sensible if unremarkable petrol and diesel cars, it was among the first mainstream brands to really deliver a usable and relatively affordable electric car.

And unlike Nissan it didn’t rest on its laurels. Since the first Kona Electric, it’s produced a succession of innovative and interesting EVs, from the tiny Inster to the massive Ioniq 9 and the hell-raising Ioniq 6 N.

At the centre of that product blitz is the Ioniq 5, which helped set the benchmark for family crossovers in 2021. But after five years, is this retro-styled Model Y rival still a serious player?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 design, interior and technology

The Ioniq 5’s looks were divisive when it first appeared and the intervening years haven’t mellowed them. You’ll either love or hate its unapologetically 80s-tastic angularity, which invokes memories of Lancia Deltas, Vauxhall Astras and other box-bodied icons of the era.

The rectangular headlights, pixel-style rear lights and sharp creases along the doors give a distinctly aggressive hot hatch vibe, despite this being a full-blown family SUV with space for five and all their luggage.

Updates in 2024 brought very minor interior changes. There’s still the big dash-top slab that houses two 12.3-inch screens and an oddly-placed speaker to the driver’s right. The major change is the new centre console, which gives a feeling of openness while providing lots of practical storage space, wireless phone charging and a small bank of buttons for functions such as the heated seats.

Beneath the main infotainment screen is a touch-sensitive panel for the air conditioning controls. It’s still not as easy to use as a bank of real buttons but, on the whole, the Ioniq 5’s interior is a sensible, practical, user-friendly environment. It’s a car you can just get in and drive without spending 20 minutes having to figure out the controls or layout.

It’s also pretty massive thanks to a class-leading three-metre wheelbase. Even with the driver’s seat at full stretch, there’s acres of rear legroom. Head and shoulder space aren’t a problem either, even with a full complement of grown-ups on board. And there’s a healthy 520 litre boot and frunk of up to 57 litres, meaning the Ioniq 5 is one of the most practical cars in its class.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 battery, motor and driving

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes with three powertrain options, depending on trim level.

Entry-grade cars get a 168bhp rear-mounted motor powered by a 63kWh battery good for 273 miles of range.

Above that there’s what feels like the “right” choice – a 225bhp motor mated to an 84kWh battery that’s good for up to 354 miles per charge.

At the top of the range, there’s a two-motor all-wheel-drive option that boosts power to 321bhp and cuts range from the 84kWh battery to 311 miles.

Every version gets 260kW peak charging, which should deliver a 10-80% charge in as little as 18 minutes.

My test car was an Ultimate trim with the all-wheel-drive setup, which provides more than adequate power. There’s seriously impressive shove from the two motors – 0-62mph takes just 5.3 seconds – backed up by a thoroughly positive driving experience. All the controls are well calibrated and balanced, there’s proper steering weight and feel and solid levels of grip. There’s no hiding the fact this is a big, heavy car, but it copes well on demanding roads and cruises easily and calmly on easier ones.

My test drive took place in the middle of a storm on some truly appalling roads yet the Ioniq 5 felt calm and easy, soaking up everything and getting me where I needed to be in peace and comfort.

For all the AWD model’s instant shove is nice to have, the mid-spec RWD car is still potent enough and offers better range. It’s worth asking whether you need the AWD, especially when it’s more expensive and less efficient.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 price and specification

The Ioniq 5 range starts at a competitive £40,695 for the Advance grade and rises to more than £53,255 for the top-spec N Line S car.

Only the Advance and Premium trims get the option of the 63kWh battery, every other model gets the 84kWh unit as standard. AWD only becomes an option from the £48,255 N Line trim.

Every model gets LED headlights, heated seats and steering wheel and a heat pump as standard. The twin 12.3-inch screens, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and adaptive cruise are also fitted to every model along with the regulation driver assistance systems.

Our tested AWD Ultimate edition comes fully loaded with heated rear and cooled front seats, a head-up display, Bose stereo and powered tailgate. It also brings more advanced driver assistance and adaptive headlights, and upgrades the wheels to 20-inch alloys along with other cosmetic additions.

Chuck on some optional matte paint and the Zen accessory pack, which includes a panoramic roof, sliding rear bench and “relaxation” front seats, and it’s a not-insignificant £57,505.

So it’s not cheap. But it is generously equipped, spacious and still able to keep up with rivals on the tech front.

Verdict

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 remains a brilliant all-round car. It was a hit when it launched and will continue to be so because it’s really good at everything it needs to be good at.

It’s undemanding and uncomplicated to drive; peaceful, practical and comfortable; and still delivers some of the best range and charging it its class.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate 84kWh Long-range AWD

• Price: £53,755 (£57,505 as tested)
• Powertrain: two-motor, all-wheel-drive
• Battery: 84kWh
• Power: 321bhp
• Torque: 446lb ft
• Top speed: 114mph
• 0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
• Range: 311 miles
• Consumption: 3.4m/kWh
• Charging: up to 260kW

Rivals

• Tesla Model Y – Rock solid range, performance and charging keep Tesla in the fight but its grim, screen-centric interior lets it down
• Skoda Enyaq – Spacious, practical and with plenty of powertrain options and an arguably nicer interior, it can go toe-to-toe with the Hyundai
• Kia EV6 – Runs on the same underpinnings as the Ioniq 5 and shares all its qualities. Also comes with two years’ more warranty