Overview

Hyundai has spent many years developing a range of electric cars and, if our experience with the Ioniq 5 are anything to go by, the opposition has something to think about.

The company’s new generation of electric cars started with the new Ioniq 5 family hatchback, designed to rival the Volkswagen ID.3 and VW ID.4, as well as the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi Q4 E-Tron.

Hyundai says the design has been inspired by the 1970s Pony but, unlike so many car brands looking to its past to guide its future, design-wise, it’s far from retro. We’ll let you decide what you think about its looks, but the pixelated lighting front and rear and super-crisp lines are very different to all of its rivals; the optional camera-based digital mirrors with screens further enhance the uncluttered shape.

But Hyundai hasn’t overloaded the car with technology or gone for the ultra-minimalist approach like a Tesla Model 3 – there’s a balance between large, useful screens, touch panels and physical switchgear and solid materials on all your regular touch points.

The drive selector, for example, is on the steering column, with a chunky twist action and the door inlays – complete with eco-friendly paper inserts – feel solid with a tactile thunk when you pull the door handles.

Underneath, there’s a cutting-edge electric car platform (which Hyundai calls E-GMP) that will form the basis of lots more EVs from Hyundai, including the Ioniq 6. Which is why this Ioniq 5 is so important. If this car performs well, then it’s likely that Hyundai is well set for the future. If not? Well…

Over the next few pages, we’ll take you through the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s high points and low points, through its electric performance and its charging abilities, look at how well that spacious interior actually functions, and find out whether or not it’s actually any good to drive.