We drove the new Ioniq 5 (update)

Hyundai launches the Ioniq 5 on the Belgian market today. The basic version of this striking and fully electric SUV is for sale from €45 999 onward, and even this version gets a battery with a capacity of 58 kWh, which gives an autonomy of over 400 km. Moreover, with the 800 V technology, the car can also charge very rapidly.

Hyundai is launching a kind of sub-brand with the Ioniq so that from now on, all new electrically driven models will have an Ioniq emblem on the nose. At the moment, there is, for example, a Kona that fits in the regular Hyundai range.

The least you can say about the new Ioniq 5 is that it stands out. Today’s production version in the showroom is strikingly similar to the concept car (45 EV Concept) unveiled at the 2019 IAA in Frankfurt.

The rectangular LED lights used at the front and rear are a nod to the Hyundai Pony, the first model Hyundai introduced to the European market in the 1970s.

EV platform

The Ioniq 5 is built on a brand new E-GMP (electric global modular platform) base plate that will be used for several other models within the Hyundai group. For example, sister brand Kia uses the same architecture for their EV 6, and Hyundai plans a larger Ioniq 6 soon.

The big advantage of this base is that it is used exclusively for EV vehicles, which is especially advantageous in terms of interior space because there is no need to make room on the floor for drive shafts or exhaust systems.

In addition, the battery can be perfectly integrated into the floor of the vehicle, which also lowers the center of gravity. The interior is as futuristic as the exterior, with the gigantic screens on which the instrument cluster is displayed digitally. The second screen is used to control the (connected) infotainment and navigation.

Focus on comfort

We drove the rear-wheel-drive version with an output of 218 hp in combination with a 73 kWh battery. What is immediately noticeable is the comfort that the car offers. The interior is very well insulated. As a result, wind and roll noise (even at highway speed) are always in the background, and even the typical whistling sound of the electric motor is hardly noticeable.

The Ioniq 5 also emphasizes comfort when damping, and in that respect, it feels rather ‘American’. But, again, this is a logical choice because an electric car doesn’t care about sportiness.

With a vehicle weighing over 2,4 tons (without luggage or passengers), it isn’t important how fast you can go around a corner, but how many kilometers you can travel on one battery charge.

Promising figures

When it comes to fuel economy, the Ioniq 5 proves to deliver on its promises too. Although the manufacturer claims a standard consumption of 16,8 kWh/100 km, the trip computer showed 13 kWh/100 km.

Admittedly, this is without considering the losses during charging and the conversion from AC to DC. Still, the figures are auspicious, and we also noticed this in the range, which will be well over 450 km even on a normal drive, including highway kilometers.

Thanks to the 800 V battery technology, a quick charger can, in optimal conditions, charge up to 100 km in five minutes. Moreover, charging at home or a charging station can be done three-phase, increasing the car’s usability.

Charging provider Fastned has already tried a fast-charging procedure with the Ioniq 5, confirming this 5 min/100 km claim, at least until half of the battery is charged. Up until 50% of charge, the system loads at 232 kW. Above that, the charging curve gently slopes down to 120 KW at 85%. After that, things go much slower to protect the battery from overheating.

In addition, the interior is always heated through an economical heat pump, which again increases the range. Finally, the battery of this Ioniq can also power an appliance (230V – 16A). Still, there is no integrated ‘vehicle to grid’ system yet that allows the car to be used as a home battery.