5 issues to love in regards to the electrical Hyundai Ioniq 5

Written by Tim Levin for Insider

Promising a lovely mixture of futuristic appears, 300-plus miles of vary, and a roughly $40,000 value, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 SUV grew to become some of the anticipated new electrical vehicles after its reveal final yr.

Because it seems, the Ioniq 5 lives as much as the hype. It simply grew to become the primary battery-powered automobile ever to win MotorTrend’s SUV of the 12 months award.

The automotive outlet known as it a “game-changing rethink of what an SUV will be,” praising its distinctive design, ultra-fast charging potential, and bang for buck. And I are likely to agree. 

Hyundai loaned me a $55,000 all-wheel-drive mannequin earlier this yr. Listed here are the 5 issues I favored most in regards to the terrific Tesla rival. 

Area-age appears

Not everybody will probably be utterly bought on the Ioniq 5’s appears, however there is no denying it will flip some heads. You will not lose it in a car parking zone, that is for positive. 

I, for one, love the sharp angles and general sci-fi aesthetic. It is futuristic, however in a charmingly retro manner — like in case you requested somebody in 1980 to think about the automobile of tomorrow. The Ioniq’s so-called “pixelated” headlights and taillights, made up of an array of little squares, look extremely cool and distinctive in particular person. 

Extremely-fast charging

Charging will be some of the daunting parts of electric-car possession. Thankfully, with regards to fueling up, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 soars above the pack. 

It is one of many only a few EVs that may accommodate 350-kilowatt fast-charging, essentially the most highly effective type of charging that is out there at public stations. Hyundai says an Ioniq 5 with a ten% cost can attain 80% in simply 18 minutes. 

Whereas an unseasonably frigid day dashed my hopes of confirming that declare (chilly stunts charging speeds), I discovered the Hyundai nonetheless was in a position so as to add 180 miles of vary (15% to 82%) in a comparatively swift 33 minutes. Twenty p.c to 80% occurred in 28 minutes. 

Minivan spaciousness and luxury

“It looks like a minivan,” one pal stated after I had him sit shotgun within the Ioniq 5. Whereas that is admittedly a bit sturdy, the Hyundai does certainly really feel manner greater on the within than you’d count on from a compact SUV. 

Since Hyundai wasn’t constrained by a giant combustion engine or a cumbersome transmission, it was capable of release tons of area within the Ioniq’s cabin. The gap between the Ioniq 5’s entrance and rear wheels is bigger than that of Hyundai’s much-larger, three-row Palisade SUV. 

It has a totally flat flooring, with spacious footwells and a large spot for a backpack or purse by the motive force’s toes. The middle console may even slide backward to open up extra flooring area. A glass roof that comes on the top-end Restricted mannequin provides headroom and a way of openness. 

Not solely is the Ioniq 5 massive inside, however it’s additionally smooth, snug, and feels high-end. 

Fast, thrilling acceleration

By their nature, electrical vehicles leap from a cease with an immediacy you will not discover in most combustion-engine vehicles. The Ioniq 5 isn’t any exception. 

The twin-motor, all-wheel-drive tester is rated at 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. In Sport mode, it shoots ahead with a pressure that is nearly nauseating in case you overdo it. Based on Hyundai, the all-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 sprints to 60 mph in round 5 seconds.

Within the Eco and Regular settings, the SUV primarily makes use of the rear motor and feels extra subdued. 

Useful head-up show

The Ioniq 5 is way from the one automobile to have a head-up show that initiatives vital data onto the windshield in entrance of the motive force. However that does not make it any much less helpful. 

Seeing my pace, cruise-control settings, and different key information proper on the windshield meant I not often needed to take my eyes off the street. The pinnacle-up show even signifies if there is a automobile within the Ioniq’s blind spot — an amazingly useful characteristic extra automobiles ought to provide.