For two weeks we had the opportunity to take a close look at Hyundai's latest electric car. We covered around 650 kilometers in the approximately 4.6-meter-long car and can – we can reveal that much at this point – absolutely understand why the car was so well received by the expert jury. Because the Hyundai IONIQ 5 not only scores with a fairly modern exterior design, it also leaves almost nothing to be desired inside.
High driving comfort with many assistance systems
Because in the interior, the designers have succeeded in creating an exceptionally airy atmosphere with plenty of head and legroom. This is especially true for people with long legs and especially in the second row of seats. The space available for all passengers is truly impressive and continues seamlessly in the trunk. Although it is quite flat, it still offers enough storage space to easily transport five classic crates of drinks without the rear seat folded down. Volume: 527 liters or almost 1,600 liters with the rear seats fully folded down.
A lot of driving comfort is guaranteed by the built-in assistance systems, most of which are not part of the basic version of the Hyundai IONIQ 5. However, this does not apply to the adaptive cruise control system, which can be controlled both in 1 km/h increments and in 10 km/h increments (long press of the corresponding button on the multifunction steering wheel). Extras that are too useful for our taste, such as active blind spot assistant, rear cross-traffic warning and exit warning, are only available at an additional cost. The same applies to the clear "Around-View-Monitor", which is mainly helpful when parking – for example at parking bays in front of public charging stations.
A 360-degree camera in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 provides a good overview when parking and exiting.
Clear and modern cockpit
The cockpit in general gives a very tidy impression. The only rotary button is used to adjust the volume, and the available radio stations can also be adjusted via a toggle switch. Apart from that, almost only pushbuttons and sensor keys are used. The gears are engaged via a small rotary switch behind the steering wheel, the four available driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow) via a large push button on the steering wheel.
On the first drive, one or the other occupant may be surprised at the lack of handles for closing the doors. But once you understand that there is a small gap between the armrest and the door that is not visible at first glance, that is no longer a problem. Practical: there are five USB ports available in total. For example, to supply smartphones or tablets with energy. Three USB ports can be found in the front, two more are provided for passengers in the rear seats.
A 12.25-inch digital cockpit can be found behind the steering wheel. Different views can be set using the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel. The standard built-in navigation touchscreen for the infotainment system is the same size. Shortcoming: In the currently available form, the built-in navigation system does not allow you to plan longer journeys with charging stops. Hyundai should improve this as soon as possible with a software update. In addition, the operation is sometimes a bit tedious because the touchscreen is pushed quite far towards the windshield.
Clear and tidy: the cockpit of the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
A look to the rear reveals: the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has a voluminous sense of space.
Four driving modes are available in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 – adjustable via a button on the steering wheel.
Forward and reverse gears are engaged in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 via a switch behind the steering wheel.
The infotainment display in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 can shine in a bright design.
Alternatively, a dark display is also available.
At the front, the designers have left plenty of space in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 – for a small bag, for example.
well? No handle to pull the door shut? But: As a gap between the armrest and door panel.
The range: Solid everyday companion
How far the Hyundai IONIQ 5 drives in everyday life depends on many factors. On the one hand from the selected battery size, but of course also from the payload, weather influences and switched on or off air conditioning. We tested that model with a 72.6 kWh battery and all-wheel drive and were able to cover almost 370 kilometers on the long haul. With the air conditioning switched on, we kept to the recommended speed of 130 km/h as far as possible.
On average, you can expect electricity consumption of around 20 kWh per 100 kilometers on a flat stretch of motorway. If it gets hilly, the consumption quickly increases to 22 to 23 kWh. And if you drive faster than 130 km/h, you should better avoid looking at the power consumption display. The rash then moves quite quickly in the direction of the 40 kWh mark. Incidentally, a top speed of 190 km/h is possible. Thereafter, an electronic lock takes place.
In the city center we chased the Hyundai IONIQ 5 around 10 kilometers through the construction site-plagued city traffic of Münster. We were able to measure an average consumption of around 16 kWh per 100 kilometers. If you drive with foresight and rely a lot on energy recovery (recuperation) when coasting and braking, you can increase the range to around 450 kilometers on many short trips.
Incidentally, the middle of a total of three available recuperation levels was used on all of our excursions. If you want more deceleration, you can set the recuperation to level 3 using the shift paddles behind the steering wheel. Gentler sailing phases are possible with a correspondingly lower energy recovery.
How does the charging work? Quickly!
One of the biggest controversies with electric cars is the available charging power. Small cars sometimes do not exceed 22 kW and even larger mid-range electric vehicles often do not allow more than 130 kW. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is different. In addition to a three-phase on-board charger with 11 kW charging power, there is access to an 800-volt system as standard. This means that up to 220 kW charging capacity is possible at the peak of fast charging stations.
Strong: The Hyundai IONIQ 5 charges with 220 kW at an HPC charging station.
And to our great surprise, we were even able to access some of this turbo charge. With an outside temperature of almost 30 degrees and a previous city drive to the public Aral Pulse charging station (max. 350 kW), we were able to measure the following charging values:
Start at 17 percent battery charge with around 180 kW charging capacity, including a slow increase to up to 185 kWfrom 29 percent battery charge: around 215 kW charging capacity with a slow increase to up to 222 kWat 50 percent battery charge: drop in charging capacity to around 140 kWfrom 57 percent battery charge: again Increase in charging power to almost 180 kWfrom 60 percent battery charge, gradual drop in charging power (70 percent: 145 kW, 80 percent: 120 kW)
In total, it took almost 38 minutes to charge from 17 to 100 percent. A total of around 65 kWh were charged. Charging from 17 to 80 percent of the battery capacity was particularly quick. The Hyundai IONIQ needed just 20 minutes for this.
A charging indicator in pixel design informs the Hyundai IONIQ 5 about the level of the battery.
Loading may also take longer
However, the truth is that it can sometimes take much longer. If a fast charging station can only charge with 50 kW, for example, much more patience is required. However, anyone who can fully utilize the 800-volt system will quickly be impressed by how quickly an electric car can be charged. Then even long journeys of several hundred kilometers will not pose a problem – provided the appropriate charging infrastructure is available. Because this is a much bigger problem, especially on motorways, where sometimes there is still only one charging point at rest areas.
Conversely, you have to plan more time in winter when the battery is correspondingly cool, as we found out in the test of the Kia EV6.
Fast charging in winter: Kia EV6 shivers mighty at the HPC charging station
How much does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 cost?
Finally, of course, the question remains as to what price Hyundai is asking for the IONIQ 5. The answer: It depends on which equipment package you choose. In the basic variant, 43,900 euros are due today.
Dynamiq package (+6,000 euros) and others additionally with rear cross-traffic warning with emergency braking function, electrically adjustable driver's seat, Qi charging station for smartphone and battery heating systemTechniq package (+7,300 euros) and others together with heat pump, 230-volt socket under the rear seat bench, dark-tinted windows from the B-pillar, heat-insulating windscreenUniq package (+14,900 euros) and others with electric tailgate, around-view monitor, rear parking aid with emergency braking function, head-up display, Bose sound system including eight loudspeakers, subwoofer and amplifier, electrically folding door handles, front seat ventilation and ambient lighting in 64 colors
Extremely flat LED pixel headlights characterize the front of the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
In the side view, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is vaguely reminiscent of the ID.3 from Volkswagen – but is significantly more massive.
A look at the rear of the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
In particular, the rear with the pixel LED taillights is a real eye-catcher on the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
The charging connection on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 can be found at the rear on the right.
In the trunk of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 there is plenty of space for the weekly shop.
There is a choice of two battery sizes with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
It is also important that the actual price for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 depends on which battery size you choose. In total, the following variants are available here:
58 kWh with 125 kW (170 hp) and rear-wheel drive at the base price58 kWh with 173 kW (235 hp) with all-wheel drive (+4,000 euros)77.4 kWh with 168 kW (229 hp) and rear-wheel drive (+4,000 euros)77.4 kWh with 239 kW (325 hp) and all-wheel drive (+8,000 euros)
In the variant we tested with the UNIQ package, 20-inch alloy wheels and the 1,100-euro Relax package (driver and front passenger seats can be placed in a relax position, the rear seat bench can also be moved electrically) the Hyundai IONIQ 5 costs around 66,000 euros. On the one hand, you have to be able to afford it and, of course, you have to want to pay for it.
Theoretically, you can still deduct the environmental bonus from this. In any case, the vehicle must still be approved for operation on German roads in 2022.
Conclusion on the Hyundai IONIQ 5: An e-car that polarizes
Anyone who has never been able to sit in an electric car should do so as soon as possible on a test drive with the Hyundai IONIQ 5. With a weight of around two tons, the electric car runs impressively smoothly on the road and also scores with a pleasantly airy interior. The exterior design, of course, remains a matter of taste. The pixel lighting polarizes strongly and either knocks your socks off from the first moment or encounters rather skeptical looks. We find that a modern electric car of the present could hardly have been designed much better.
Advantages
800 volt system for HPC charging with up to 220 kW solid long-distance suitability (approx. 470 km when driving at recommended speed) futuristic LED headlights and taillights in pixel design impressively airy interior plenty of space in the second row of seats (and in the trunk!) eight-year vehicle and mobility guarantee (also on the battery up to a maximum of 160,000 kilometers)
Disadvantages
Touch screen a bit too difficult to use while drivingNavigation system does not offer the option of planning long journeys with charging stopsHeavy weight means high power consumptionApple CarPlay does not work wirelessMany useful additions are only available for an extra chargeEven the basic version with a small battery and correspondingly shorter range is not exactly cheap
By the way: the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is also optionally available with a panoramic glass roof. And if you like it really unusual, you can also opt for a solar roof, which absorbs energy via the integrated solar cells, transfers it to the battery and can thus generate an additional range of around 1,500 kilometers under optimal conditions (measured in southern European areas).
Scheduled maintenance is scheduled for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 every two years or every 30,000 kilometers. The insurance classification of all models is identical.
Liability: 18 partially comprehensive: 23 fully comprehensive: 26
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To be honest: The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is the first electric car that I was almost completely convinced of in a test. Great driving characteristics, combined with a lot of space in the interior and the exceptionally impressive pixel design of the LED lighting, I liked it from the first minute. The price called by Hyundai is of course an announcement. Especially if you don't want to be satisfied with the basic model.
