2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD review

Hyundai’s new zero-emissions vehicles shows the future is bright for car lovers, but there is one drawback for wannabe buyers.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicle has proved a hit with buyers, despite prices starting from $71,900. We snared the flagship all-wheel-drive model.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Jules: You looked particularly smug pulling up in this Ioniq 5.

Iain: There’s much to be smug about. Thousands went on Hyundai’s expression of interest list and only 240 secured one. Supply is extremely limited.

Jules: It’s a really good week to have an electric car too. Petrol and diesel prices remain sky-high, so it’s a good time to bypass servos.

There is extremely limited supply of the Ioniq 5. Photo by Thomas Wielecki

Iain: Indeed. And it looks spectacular in the metal.

Jules: Many stopped to ask about it. Most thought its styling exceptional and the cabin space massive.

Iain: It’s the size of a medium SUV but with retro hatchback styling. There’s no front grille, sharp edges, futuristic LED lights and intricate 20-inch aero wheels that give it huge presence.

Jules: The front end is stunning and its rear lights look like a chequered disco floor. How much?

Iain: This twin motor all-wheel-drive one is $75,900 before on-roads. A single motor version is $4000 cheaper. Expensive? The market says no. The first batch sold out in minutes.

THE LIVING SPACE

Jules: I like how EVs have smarter interior space than petrols and diesels.

Iain: The Ioniq 5’s massive 3000mm wheelbase – more than Hyundai’s eight-seat Palisade – means cavernous space.

The dual-motor version goes like a rocket. Photo by Thomas Wielecki

Jules: $80,000 drive away is a big ask for a Hyundai, but there’s serious quality inside. Faux leather power seats have loads of adjustability plus heating and ventilation.

Iain: A pair of 12.3-inch screens make up your instrument cluster and infotainment. Both are clear and futuristic, but not as customisable as they should be.

Jules: Compared to a Tesla Model 3’s single screen controlling everything, the Ioniq 5’s feels more familiar and easier to navigate. A separate climate panel is much better than going through a screen.

Iain: There are five USB points, wireless charging and a carpeted bin beneath the dashboard where you could fit a mini fridge. We could almost fit a child in the glovebox it’s so huge.

Jules: Rear space is massive too, with ample room for an adult in the centre. The rear seats are heated, they slide on runners and recline. There’s loads of light through a fixed glass roof.

Iain: Let me crash the party. The big doors are very dull compared to the rest of the design, ambient lighting could be brighter and the airconditioning struggled in the back when it got really hot outside.

It has head-turning styling.

THE COMMUTE

Jules: It’s excellent to drive. Smooth, quiet and in Sport mode the acceleration is beastly.

Iain: But not uncomfortable. The speed won’t rip your eyeballs out like a Tesla Model 3 Performance or Porsche Taycan Turbo.

Jules: The electric motors aside, it drives and feels much like a normal car. It doesn’t feel like I’m driving an iPad.

Iain: The range is a panic-free 430km and the Ioinq 5 usually proved true to its word. On the hottest day I cranked the aircon up to maximum and projected range dropped by 100km. Ouch.

Jules: It cruises beautifully, the seat comfort’s top notch and there’s Bose audio to go with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its cruise control and lane keeping function offer semi-autonomous driving: ideal for traffic jams.

Iain: But the lane-keep assist, as with other Hyundais, is way too nannying. Thank goodness you can turn it off.

The Ioniq 5 has more interior room than large seven-seat SUVs.

THE SHOPPING

Jules: I can’t think of a more in-vogue car to park in front of my favourite pricey boutique.

Iain: It rivals a red Ferrari for attention.

Jules: A birds-eye view camera and sensors make parking easy, or if you’re really lazy, it’ll park for you.

Iain: The boot’s shallow but very long. There’s even a little “frunk” under the bonnet.

SUNDAY RUN

Jules: It feels like a sports car on twisty roads.

Iain: Well, a very heavy one. At 2100kg it’s hardly nimble, but it grips superbly, corners flat and feels safe to hustle along at speed. On poor roads its Michelin Pilot Sport tyres don’t suppress bumps that well, but it’s otherwise impressive.

Jules: Let’s talk charging, as that’s most people’s concern with EVs. We used a 50kW public charger and went from 15 per cent charge to 80 per cent in 45 minutes.

Iain: It can charge faster. If you find a rarer 350kW charger the same job would be done in about 15 minutes. A proper coffee stop. Home charging takes about 31 hours to full with a normal socket, but a home wallbox charger does it in seven hours.

Jules: The battery also recharges when you lift off the throttle, although I turned the function off so it drove like a normal car.

Iain: There are four battery regeneration modes, depending how strong you want it. There’s also an “I-pedal” mode which means, if you time it right, you need only use the brake for emergencies.

THE FAMILY

Jules: The kids love the space and the good vision from the second row. And you can use the car to power anything from a camping fridge to a Nespresso machine. Brilliant

Iain: It has strong safety, is reasonably cheap to service and resale should be strong. The challenge is getting hold of one.

THE VERDICT

Jules: If this is the future then sign me up. It’s clichéd, but I really, really don’t want to give it back.

Iain: I know $80,000 isn’t that affordable, but the Ioniq 5 is probably the best electric car you can buy right now. Beautiful, clever, spacious and great to drive.

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 AWD VITALS

PRICE From $75,900 plus on-roads

WARRANTY AND SERVICING 5 years/unlimited km warranty (good), $1684 for 5 years/75,000km

MOTOR Electric motor on each axle, 225kW/605Nm combined

SAFETY 5 stars, 7 airbags, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning, lane-keep assist, radar cruise control

RANGE 430km

SPARE Repair kit

BOOT 527-1587 litres

Originally published as 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD review