TEST DRIVE IONIQ 5 kicks off Hyundai's future EV endeavors

The futuristic interior and exterior of Hyundai's new EV IONIQ 5 / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

By Kim Hyun-bin

• Published Apr 24, 2021 9:12 AM KST
• Updated Apr 25, 2021 6:07 PM KST

By Kim Hyun-bin

YANGPYEONG, Gyeonggi Province ― Hyundai Motor's IONIQ 5 midsize crossover utility vehicle (CUV) was the talk of the town after it was revealed in February during a virtual world premiere event.

The automaker says the IONIQ 5 is its first pure-electric (EV) that embodies its aim of redefining the electric mobility lifestyle with its innovative features.

To give a better glimpse to the public of what the IONIQ 5 had to offer, Hyundai Motor invited reporters to test-drive an IONIQ 5 long-range 2WD Prestige, Thursday, the first model built on Hyundai Motor Group's electric global modular platform (E-GMP).

The 80 km roundtrip drive started at Starfield Hanam in Gyeonggi Province and went to the Dreamping camp site in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, while stopping by a recently built Hyundai EV charging station along the way.

The first encounter with the IONIQ 5 projected a futuristic feel from its unique design which the company says is “the new definition of timeless, providing a common thread linking our past to the present and future.”

But to be honest, the IONIQ 5 looks almost identical to the “45 EV Concept” that Hyundai showcased in 2019.

However, the unique 300 cm wheelbase and sleek design is definitely an eye-catcher with a more sophisticated and contemporary look, and sporting a 20-inch wheel diameter, the largest ever for a Hyundai EV.

The hood was specifically designed to resemble a clamshell to minimize panel gaps for optimal aerodynamics, accompanied by a V-shape front bumper which provides a futuristic look to the IONIQ 5.

On the sides are pop-up door handles adding to the chic factor of the design.

Just like the exterior, the interior also offers a futuristic and minimalist vibe. The dashboard is comprised of two 12-inch infotainment displays with integrated air vents to accompany the slickness.

The interior well suits its theme “living space” to provide a more comfortable and pleasant atmosphere, where the front seats are electrically adjustable and slimmed down 30 percent to provide more leg room for passengers sitting behind.

Once inside, the IONIQ 5's lack of a center dividing console between the driver and front passenger seat is obvious, but it is equipped with a raised, large island tray that slides back and forth by up to 14 cm.

The traditional side view mirrors have also been replaced by digital ones. The digital mirrors are side cameras displaying an image on screens attached to the doors. When driving for the first time, they take a good few minutes to get used to, but once accustomed to them, the wide displays seem easier to use in spotting oncoming traffic than conventional side mirrors as well as reducing blind spots.

The IONIQ 5 features an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR HUD), essentially turning the windshield into a display screen, which comes in handy as it shows navigation aids and speed limits in the region among other roadside assistance information.

Another slick design is the vision roof. A large panoramic glass panel provides the interior with a greater sense of openness that enable passengers to observe the sky while on the move, accompanied by a premium Bose sound system consisting of eight speakers including a subwoofer providing surround sound.

The vehicle is equipped with advanced driver assistance systems for safety and convenience for drivers on the road. The IONIC 5 is the first Hyundai model to be equipped with Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Driver Attention Warning and High Beam Assist among others.

Smooth driving experience

The beauty of an EV has got to be the seamless transition when changing gears compared to gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles, providing a smoother and more comfortable driving experience. Also, the swift acceleration is something to note in EVs. The IONIQ 5 hits 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 185 km/h.

The test drive involved charging the IONIQ 5 at a new Hyundai EV Station equipped with eight 350 kWh high-speed chargers developed by Hyundai, which can charge 80 percent of the car's battery with an 800 voltage system in just 18 minutes. While a five minute charge will get up to a range of 100 km. Once fully charged, the IONIQ 5 is capable of traveling up to 480 km, the company said.

“It will not cost more than 20,000 won to fully charge the IONIQ 5,” Hyundai EV Station staff said. “While Hyundai EV owners will get an additional 23 percent off their charging cost.”

However, the downside is that this is the only Hyundai EV Station in Seoul. Although the automaker says more will be built in the coming months, the eight fast charging points currently available could create some chaos with more IONIQ 5 vehicles hitting the road in the near future.

The midpoint of the test drive was the Dreamping camp site, where two IONIQ 5s were set up to showcase the upgraded car's camping lifestyle.

The vehicle has 527 liters of trunk space that can more than triple in volume when the rear passenger seats are fully folded to maximize the car camping experience. Camping has gained massive popularity during the pandemic leading to a surge in SUV sales nationwide.

Overall, the IONIQ 5, which is the first off Hyundai's E-GMP line, seems to be a good start to Hyundai's EV endeavors and the future releases of the IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 7 look promising.

The test driven full option IONIQ 5 long-range 2WD Prestige is priced at 59.1 million won ($52,880) including various tax benefits.