Initially, I wasn’t thrilled about reviewing the Hyundai Ioniq 5. My heart was set on experiencing the new manual Toyota Supra. However, fate, or rather my editor, led me to the driver’s seat of this 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. To say my initial expectations were low would be an understatement. But let me tell you now, I couldn’t have been more wrong about dismissing this electric crossover. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn’t just another EV; it’s a genuinely fun to drive vehicle that completely changed my perception of electric crossovers.
Hyundai has dramatically evolved from its budget-brand image of the 90s. With its impressive N-branded performance line, successful SUV range, and groundbreaking EVs, Hyundai has solidified its position as a tech-forward automotive leader. The Ioniq 5 perfectly embodies this transformation, offering EV buyers a compelling and exciting alternative in the mainstream market. In a crowded world of crossovers, the Ioniq 5 is a refreshing and, dare I say, exhilarating experience.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Front View on Road
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD Review Specs
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Base Price (Limited AWD as tested) | $41,245 ($55,920) |
| Powertrain | Dual Electric Motors |
| Horsepower | 320 |
| Torque | 446 lb-ft |
| Curb Weight | 4,662 pounds |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Cargo Volume | 27.2 cubic feet (59.3 with seats folded) |
| Towing Capacity | 2,300 pounds |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 inches |
| EPA Fuel Economy | 132 MPGe City |
| Quick Take | One of the best EVs on the market, fun to drive but public charging needs improvement. |
| Score | 9/10 |
The Allure of the Ioniq 5: More Than Just Basic
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is Hyundai’s assertive answer to the burgeoning electric crossover question. While the concept of an electric crossover might sound mundane, Hyundai has crafted something truly special. This South Korean contender stands out as one of the most appealing options available, blending practicality with a dash of panache. The result is a beautifully sculpted, battery-powered crossover, slightly larger than a sedan, brimming with technology, and surprisingly engaging to drive.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Exterior Design Details
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Unique Rear Lights
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Side Profile
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Angular Front Design
One of the most compelling aspects of the Ioniq 5 is its striking design. It’s unlike anything else on the road today, exuding a powerful presence. Its blocky, sculpted form and distinctive design language immediately capture attention, making the Ioniq 5 a real head-turner. In a sea of ubiquitous Toyota RAV4s and Honda CR-Vs, the Ioniq 5 doesn’t just stand out; it makes a statement.
Hyundai’s designers have successfully created a crossover that appeals to buyers seeking something beyond the ordinary. The Ioniq 5’s design blends squared-off lines with stubby proportions, a combination that photos struggle to fully capture. The overall aesthetic is retro-futuristic, yet punctuated with modern touches like motion lines around the wheel arches and pixel-like geometric details. At night, the Ioniq 5’s unique exterior lighting signature makes it instantly recognizable.
While the design can be polarizing, the overwhelmingly positive response the Ioniq 5 consistently receives, whether on the road or parked, speaks volumes. It’s a design that sparks conversation and admiration, proving that electric crossovers don’t have to be bland.
Inside the Ioniq 5: Space and Comfort Enhancing the Driving Experience
Stepping inside the Ioniq 5 reveals a surprisingly spacious and comfortable interior, directly contributing to the overall enjoyable driving experience. The dashboard is positioned far forward, creating generous legroom for front passengers, and the absence of a traditional center console amplifies the sense of openness in the front cabin. The rear seats are also remarkably roomy, although taller passengers might notice slightly limited headroom due to the panoramic glass roof, which intrudes a bit near the rear headrests.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Interior Front Seats
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Interior Dashboard and Screens
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Interior Rear Seats
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Interior Driver Footrest
The seats themselves are exceptionally comfortable throughout the cabin. The driver’s seat includes a particularly welcome feature for longer drives: a footrest. While this feature isn’t new to Hyundai, its inclusion in the driver’s seat enhances comfort and reduces fatigue, especially on extended journeys. Interestingly, only the driver’s side gets this feature, a point of confusion for many early adopters who expected it for the passenger side as well.
From the driver’s perspective, the controls are intuitive and well-placed. The column-mounted gear selector and touch-sensitive controls feel natural to use. While capacitive touch controls dominate, physical buttons are strategically included as shortcuts to key infotainment functions. The infotainment system itself is well-organized and responsive, with settings logically arranged for easy access, minimizing distractions while driving. While some may miss physical buttons, the Ioniq 5 strikes a good balance between digital interface and physical controls.
A minor drawback is the wasted space under the hood, where a frunk would be expected. Instead, a large plastic cover resembling an engine bay houses a small compartment, best suited for storing the portable 110-volt charger. While not a deal-breaker, a functional frunk would have added to the Ioniq 5’s practicality.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 "Engine Bay" Storage
Hyundai Ioniq 5 No Frunk
Driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5: Where the Fun Begins
Forget any preconceived notions of Hyundai as a budget brand. The Ioniq 5 delivers a driving experience that is far from cheap or uninspired. There are no clunks, rattles, or unsettling vibrations. Instead, you get a quiet, smooth ride with a surprisingly potent and linear power delivery. While “domesticated” might describe its everyday demeanor, there’s a definite “feral cat” lurking beneath the surface, ready to pounce.
The dual-motor Ioniq 5 packs a serious punch, delivering 320 horsepower and a substantial 446 lb-ft of torque. Being an EV, all that torque is available instantly, providing exhilarating acceleration from a standstill. Zero to 60 mph sprints are dispatched in around 4.4 seconds, placing it in the performance territory of a first-generation Acura NSX, and just a hair slower than a modern Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. That’s remarkably quick for a family-friendly crossover, adding a significant element of fun to everyday driving.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Driving on Open Road
However, the Ioniq 5 isn’t trying to be a sports car. Its 4,600-pound curb weight is noticeable when cornering aggressively. While it handles competently, you’re always aware of the vehicle’s mass. Turning off traction control can lead to some tail-out antics, but spirited corner carving isn’t really the Ioniq 5’s forte. Its strength lies in its rapid straight-line acceleration and confident highway cruising, making it incredibly fun in everyday driving scenarios.
Hyundai’s driver-assistance system deserves high praise. It surpasses even advanced aftermarket systems in its smoothness and effectiveness. The lane centering is exceptionally well-tuned, smoothly managing sweeping curves. The lane-change assist further enhances the highway driving experience. While it’s not a hands-free system like Super Cruise, Hyundai’s ADAS provides excellent support for long drives, reducing driver fatigue and adding to the overall enjoyable driving experience.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Driver Assistance Features
The Highs and Lows of Living with the Fun-to-Drive Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 is a tech enthusiast’s dream daily driver. Its intuitive menu system and customizable interior create a sense of being light-years ahead of other EVs. Small, thoughtful touches like ambient lighting that synchronizes with drive modes add a touch of novelty that passengers will appreciate.
One standout feature is Hyundai’s Remote Smart Parking Assist. This allows you to move the car forward or backward using the key fob while standing outside the vehicle. It’s incredibly useful in tight parking situations, especially in urban environments where space is limited.
As highlighted earlier, the driving experience is far from boring. The Ioniq 5 is docile and comfortable for everyday errands, but it transforms into an agile and quick machine when you want it to. Whether merging onto a highway, overtaking, or simply enjoying the instant acceleration, the Ioniq 5 offers ample power to keep driving engaging and, yes, fun.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Parked in Urban Setting
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Rear View Design
However, there are a few minor drawbacks. The lack of wireless Apple CarPlay is a notable omission. The USB ports are located in a small front cubby, which can be inconvenient, especially when trying to manage phone placement and charging cables. This issue is compounded by the limited storage for larger water bottles, which can further clutter the small cubby area.
Another limitation is the augmented reality features of the head-up display, which are only available when using Hyundai’s native navigation system. This system proved to be laggy, making CarPlay a more practical choice, albeit without the AR head-up display functionality.
The pop-out door handles, while visually appealing, can be a bit finicky. They don’t auto-retract when walking away, requiring manual locking to retract them. Additionally, like other pop-out handles, they can be susceptible to freezing in cold weather conditions.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Pop-Out Door Handle Detail
Finally, while Hyundai has been working to improve customer service, there are still lingering concerns about the after-sales experience and potential warranty issues, an area where some competitors have a stronger reputation.
Ioniq 5 Features, Options, and the Competitive Landscape
The tested Ioniq 5 Limited AWD represents the top-tier trim, priced around $55,920. The base SE Standard Range trim starts at a more accessible $41,450. However, the base model is rear-wheel drive only, has a smaller battery, and significantly less horsepower (168 hp vs. 320 hp).
The Limited trim adds a wealth of premium features, including LED projector headlights, power-folding mirrors, a hands-free liftgate, automatic door unlocking, ventilated and memory seats, heated steering wheel, full-color head-up display, rear HVAC vents, digital key functionality, and a Bose audio system. Whether these upgrades justify the price difference is a matter of personal preference.
The Ioniq 5 faces competition in the electric crossover segment from vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium and the Volkswagen ID.4 AWD Pro S Plus. While these competitors offer their own strengths, the Ioniq 5 provides a compelling combination of features and value.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Charging Port Detail
A particularly close competitor is the Kia EV6, which shares the same platform and technology as the Ioniq 5. However, the EV6 is styled with a sportier focus, making it an even more performance-oriented option. For those prioritizing outright acceleration and sporty handling, the EV6 might be even more appealing. Of course, the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5 N promises to take the fun factor to another level with even higher performance.
The Tesla Model Y is another key competitor, offering superior range and efficiency, and with recent price adjustments, it’s now priced competitively, or even slightly less than the Ioniq 5. Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network is also a significant advantage. Choosing between the Ioniq 5 and Model Y often comes down to design preference, driving feel, and charging ecosystem priorities.
Range, Charging, and Real-World Usability
Range is a critical factor for any EV. The Ioniq 5 with the 77.4 kWh battery and dual-motor AWD is rated for 256 miles, while the single-motor version achieves up to 303 miles. Real-world range in the tested vehicle largely matched the EPA estimates.
Charging, however, presented some challenges. While Hyundai touts 18-minute 10-80% charging times on a 350kW charger, finding such chargers in public can be difficult. Public DC fast-charging infrastructure, in general, remains a work in progress. Level 2 charging is more readily available and sufficient for topping off the battery, but DC fast charging reliability and availability need improvement for seamless long-distance EV travel.
Sustainability and Eco-Conscious Design
While EV production has an initial environmental footprint, EVs become significantly more sustainable over their lifespan compared to gasoline cars. Hyundai has made efforts to enhance the Ioniq 5’s sustainability from the outset.
Eco-friendly leather, recycled PET bottle materials for headliner and carpets, and bio-based paint using flower and plant extracts highlight Hyundai’s commitment to sustainable materials. Approximately 32 recycled plastic bottles are used in each Ioniq 5’s upholstery.
The Ioniq 5’s weight of 4,662 pounds is comparable to other EVs in its class, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and VW ID.4. While not lightweight, it reflects the current reality of battery technology in achieving usable range.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 EPA Range and Efficiency
Verdict: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Redefines “Fun” in Electric Crossovers
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a standout EV that appeals to both tech-savvy consumers and driving enthusiasts. It’s packed with cool features and delivers a surprisingly engaging driving experience. While not a dedicated sports car, its potent acceleration and agile handling make it genuinely fun to drive, especially for a crossover.
If you’re seeking a unique, sporty, and fun electric vehicle, the Ioniq 5 is a serious contender. Choosing between the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6 might be a tough decision, as both offer distinctive and compelling packages. However, both represent a departure from the mundane, offering EVs that are not only practical but also genuinely exciting and fun to own and drive.
