Hyundai ioniq 5 driving report: almost a bang for the buck

Super-fast charging technology, solar cells on the roof, ranges of 400 kilometers and more, and its wheelbase even surpasses the Mercedes E-Class. Lots of advance praise, then, for the Korean powerhouse. But how does it do on the road?

Already at first sight it is clear who the Koreans are aiming at. Between the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the VW ID.4 there is no danger of confusion, but the idea behind them is very similar: A powerful electric car that should appeal to fans of classic compact SUVs as well as lure stubbornly doubtful gasoline disciples to the land of batteries and charging stations.

Design attracts attention

The remarkable sheet metal dress of the Ioniq 5 is no longer a secret, the advertising drum has long been stirred with moving pictures on all TV channels. The designers want to strike a chord with tech fans, combining many smooth and sometimes angled surfaces with lines and folds to stand out from the SUV monotony. The whole thing is somewhat reminiscent of the famous stealth bomber "Stealth", whose shape makes it invisible to radar eyes. On the road, however, it will fall into earthly speed traps if the right pedal is pushed too hard. In any case, it provides the necessary attention that a new car like the Ioniq 5 needs for a successful start. Narrow LED strips at the bow and stern serve as stage lights. How modernity works today.

 

 

Seat test before the start. Living room atmosphere thanks to single-chair seating in the front and cuddly bench seating in the rear, all bright and friendly and partly made of recycled materials. There is a sliding center console between the front seats. A white-framed double monitor with an equally bright background dominates the dashboard. The one on the left is responsible for technology details such as speedometer, remaining range or even faded-in speed limit or overtaking prohibition. Its right-hand counterpart takes over z.B. Navi map and entertainment. Praiseworthy despite all the digital glut: There are still real rotary switches and pushbuttons in a bar below the screens. Air conditioning or even quick functions z.B. for the map display of the navigation are activated here without detours.

Whizzing sedan

When pressing the start button, the usual silence of an electric car, which is then replaced by the artificial buzzing of the pedestrian warning system during the first few meters. Our test model is the top-of-the-line model, with two electric motors distributed equally between the front and rear axles, which then inevitably leads to all-wheel drive. Woe betide when the pulling power of up to 605 Newton meters gets serious. Thanks to 225 kW/305 hp, the Ioniq 5 is a speeding sedan that only comes to rest at 185 km/h. Whereby the subject of sportiness is already settled with the track experience. The focus is now on comfort as standard. A motorhome on highways, a sightseeing companion on country roads rather than a cornering predator. After all, more than 2.1 tons have to be balanced around the bends in this one.

 

 

The operation wants to be learned despite all aspired simplicity. A head-up display reflects what feels like a huge image in the windshield, gives navi commands, shows the current speed limit or the radar-controlled safe distance to the vehicle in front. Red digital clouds warn of other vehicles on the side, making overtaking safer. The automatic lane-keeping system proves to be particularly stubborn, constantly beeping to steer the Ioniq 5 back between the lines. All familiar technology, which at the latest from the middle class belongs to the good tone.

Heat pump at extra cost

Depending on the equipment, however, the Hyundai offers a package of smart ideas. Always standard, even on the "small" model with 58 kWh battery rear-wheel drive and 125 kW/170 hp, is the option of charging with 800-volt technology (from 10 to 80 percent charge level in 18 minutes). Also included in the basic price of 41.900 euros in exclusive on-board extras include radar cruise control, screens with navigation, and a sliding rear seat with plenty of legroom for a lounge feeling. The further variants offer with strong 72,6 battery also the choice between rear or all-wheel drive. Equipment tidbits then cost between 5.000 euros, 8.500 euros up to 11.850 euros surcharge on the respective base price. Then more affluent Hyundai owners can look forward to further extras, such as a heat pump for the air conditioning and much more.

The price bird shoots off clearly our driven top model with two engines and large accumulator. It then has almost everything as standard, including a Bose sound system, a parking assistant with remote control, the aforementioned head-up display or even a 230-volt socket in the charging socket, which can be used, for example, to charge an e-bike on the move. In total, the king of all electric Hyundai costs a whopping 60.800 euros. And there is more to it: 2 more on top.600 euros, if you also equip the Ioniq 5 with a solar roof (provides a good 2.000 kilometers of extra power per year) or flat reclining seats for the front passengers. They can then bridge the charging pause at the fast charging station with a comfortable recovery sleep.