We first tested the Ioniq 5 when it came out a year ago, and here’s what we said:
Well…it’s finally happening. After having “Electric Avenue” pretty much all to themselves for the past ten years or so, the competition is juiced and finally ready to take on the Champ.
Dozens of new pure-electric vehicles are on the way right now. Everyone from Mercedes and Porsche to VW and Hyundai is in the game, and Hyundai is in it to win it.
Up to 320 HP…115 MPH…and 0 to 60 in roughly five-and-a-half seconds…all wrapped in an absolutely traffic-stopping, well-chiseled, made-for-the-movies body. Dress that body in one of Hyundai’s new metallic/matte paint schemes. You’re almost guaranteed to get plenty of head swivels and second and third looks. In addition to the paint and the body creases, the 19” or 20” custom aerodynamic alloys help turn those heads, too.
The Ioniq’s LED front and rear lighting seems a perfect fit for an all-electric vehicle…as the novel sunshade splits in half and retracts from the middle. It’s just one more example of how Hyundai pretty much looked at everything with fresh “how can we knock this out of the park” eyes...and then went out and did it.
And a year later, Hyundai is still doing it. Their Ioniq 5 looks are as current as anything on the road today…and still crammed with driver-friendly features.
Thanks to the flat floor that all-electric can give you, there’s ample room for five in this four-door hatch. And once in, you’ll find luxury features like ambient lighting, a driver’s leg rest, a sliding front console, available V2L (Vehicle-to-Load ) 120V outlets that allow you to plug in TVs, tools, laptops, and camping gear…or you can even re-charge another EV if needed.
Other features include an in-dash blind spot monitor. Just use your turn signals to get a clear picture of where you plan to merge. All vehicles should have this.
And in addition to a big 12.3” touchscreen, you can order a heads-up display that brings you turn-by-turn nav…thanks to augmented reality. Hyundai offers their Digital Smart Key that can pre-start / heat / cool your vehicle…or even allow you to send your code to someone else’s smartphone and let them drive your Ioniq 5.
You can now choose from four trim levels…ranging from the low $ 40s to the mid $50s. The base Ioniq 5 is a one-motor RWD-only machine with a 220-mile range. If you want “tomorrow” styling at a bargain price, the base “SE” is your ride.
But…you’ll have much more fun if you go for it all and check “Limited” on your order. You’ll get one of the best examples of eco-friendly faux leather available today…plus upgraded audio…those big eye-catching 20”s…and the ability to get one of those eye-poppin’ new paint colors. The RWD version has a 303-mile range; you’ll go 256 miles with All-Wheel-Drive.
Hyundai has built their Ioniq 5 to handle the highest power / fastest charging 800-volt re-chargers, bringing your Ioniq 5 up from 10% battery life to 80% in just 18 minutes. Or install a 240 Volt system at home and go from 10% to 100% in a quick and comfortable 7 hours.
And if you’re wondering what else Hyundai might kick in to sweeten the deal, try this: You’ll get two years of unlimited 30-minute complimentary re-charging sessions and three years’ / 36,000 miles of no-charge service.
Free “juice”…free service…all in a striking new comfortable performance vehicle loaded with the latest technology. That’s a pretty good deal.
