Hyundai Ioniq 5

Thanks to Hyundai, I had the pleasure of driving two of their electric cars back to back to do a comparison test. The Ioniq 5 is a family hatchback, whereas the Ioniq 6 is a sporty-looking saloon. More about the Ioniq 6 later in the year, as this article is about the Ioniq 5. 

Hyundai keeps delivering quality models that look good and come with plenty of technology for safety and entertainment. The 2023 Ioniq 5 is a cracking hatchback in which the family will enjoy journeys. As always, I test the model in its designed role, so I don't take a hatchback on a race track to push the handling and performance. I fill it with children, shopping, sometimes wet dogs, bits to go to the tip and all the things you find you need: a car with a large rear opening door, a hatchback. Don't worry; the children are known to me and not forced in.

Often, having children of various ages in the test car, you find out a lot more about the vehicle. They tend to find things like pop-out drink holders, storage and always USB ports. You also find out how well the car is put together. Doors are slammed, seats climbed over, and anything from pushchairs to stand-up paddleboards could be placed in the hatchback. 

Hyundai produces the Ioniq 5 with two battery choices; the entry one is 58kWh, and the new one is 77.4kWh battery, offering increased range and a little extra power. The 77.4 kWh rear-wheel-drive car delivers 225bhp, with the all-wheel-drive version giving 321bhp. An Ioniq 5 N sportier model joins the range soon, with an 84kWh battery producing 641bhp, more than enough to rival the 577bhp Kia EV6 GT.

Ioniq 5 comes with Premium, Ultimate and the top-spec Namsan Edition for choice of Spec level. You get a good deal of standard technology and equipment with 19-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, LED headlights, climate control and smart cruise control. 

As a driver, you get a pair of 12.3-inch digital screens, one a colour touchscreen covering the infotainment and sat-nav systems, while the other displays information for you. On the Infotainment screen, you find 12 icons in two rows of six. The digital dials are easy to scroll through via steering wheel buttons, and the colour scheme changes when you adjust driving modes, which are Eco, Normal and Sport.

The top model has a superbly helpful head-up display and a Bose stereo, but all Ioniq 5 models get the awesome twin-screen set-up with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay, Andriod and wireless phone charging.

Premium-trim cars have luxuries, including a heated steering wheel, upgraded upholstery, a digital rear-view mirror, heated front seats, 

and the V2L (Vehicle to Load) charging system. The Ultimate model adds 20-inch alloys, electrically adjustable front seats with a heating and ventilation function, a head-up display, seven-speaker Bose stereo and heated rear seats. 

The cabin has a wireless smartphone charging pad and two 12.3-inch displays, one for the infotainment and the other a digital instrument cluster providing essential information for the driver.

 The battery heater and conditioning function are available for 2023 model-year cars. A helpful feature that manages battery temperature, thus helping improve charging performance. New additions include

• the digital rear and side mirrors and Hyundai's V2L system,

• allowing you to charge portable devices,

• camping equipment 

• even another electric vehicle.

The Ioniq 5 models start at around £43,000 and rise above £57,000. A top-specced car paired with the most potent 321bhp dual-motor means the Ioniq 5 enters the premium EV territory with rivals such as the BMW iX1

and Audi Q4 e-tron

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an enjoyable car to drive, especially on the twisties, with it providing excellent levels of comfort and handling even if you opt for the rear wheel version. The All-wheel drive models don't give you much more grip or allow the back end to slide out a little if you want to turn off traction control for exhilaration. 

Let us discuss the range for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with the 214bhp capable of up to 280 miles, while the 301bhp model utilises the dual motors for around 267 miles. The car allows for 800V charging, allowing charging from 10 to 80% in approximately 18 minutes. 

The Ioniq 5 has modern styling, which is simple and clean, but does have impressive features such as the LED headlight—constructed of 256 individual 'pixels'.

The top-spec Namsan Edition is even grander than the Ultimate trim and has a Tech Pack that includes Front Relaxation Seats, a memory function for the driver's seat, glass roof and digital side mirrors, automatic flush door handles and an extra safety kit. 

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has fantastic Safety systems with blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, forward collision avoidance assist, and lane keep assist. 

Hyundai has focused on comfort and simplicity, but you may look at the Ioniq 5 and think it is too large. However, the benefits to occupants are plenty of internal space and storage. The cabin is cavernous, with the battery pack mounted beneath the floor; users benefit from a flat floor space, which opens up the interior, while the large windows add to the bright and airy feel.

The sliding rear seats, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control are helpful for users, while top-spec versions add electrically adjustable front seats that recline almost entirely flat, a sliding centre console and an automatic tailgate.

The rear boot is comprehensive and provides easy access, although it's pretty shallow, and you'll need to retract the parcel shelf to accommodate more oversized items. There's 527 litres of space on offer, growing to 1,587 litres with the rear seats folded. There's a 'frunk' too, adding a valuable 57 litres under the bonnet. 

Hyundai offers an attractive five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for all its passenger cars, twelve months of roadside assistance and free annual health checks for up to five years. The Ioniq 5's lithium-ion battery is covered for eight years/125,000 miles. The company offers flexible servicing plans designed to meet your requirements based on your vehicle, expected mileage, and the period you'd like the plan to cover. You can pay in a lump sum or over interest-free monthly instalments.

I thoroughly enjoyed driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and can't fault it in any department. The interior looks and feels good, with comfortable seats and good room for all occupants. The equipment that comes as standard is impressive, as are the performance and handling. All around, it makes a lovely family car for practicality with class. 

PRICE

£43,445 to £57,945