Hyundai has unveiled the Ioniq 5, its first fully-electric model under the new Ioniq sub-brand, and if retro-inspired styling excites you, you’ll have to check out the gallery below.
While it may look small in photos, the all-new Ioniq 5 is actually marketed as a “midsize CUV” (or crossover), and it’s dimensions don’t lie. Built on Hyundai’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Ioniq 5 measures in at 4,635 mm long, 1,605 mm tall, and 1,890 mm wide – just a hair smaller than a BMW X3 in almost every dimension.
What gives the Ioniq 5 its small-car illusion is perhaps its elongated wheelbase, which stands at a whopping 3,000 mm long – that’s almost as long as that of the BMW 7 Series! As with most BEV-specific platforms, the skateboard layout of the E-GMP platform allows for a completely flat cabin floor inside the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which means interior space should be aplenty.
Styling wise, the all-new Ioniq 5 looks nearly identical stroke-for-stroke to the Hyundai 45 Concept, a markedly different design language to past Hyundai models. Taking in inspiration from the Hyundai Pony, the company’s first production vehicle released some 45 years ago, the all-new Ioniq 5 utilises clean and direct lines to “reflect the silence of EVs”, according to Hyundai Group chief creative officer Luc Donckerwolke.
Up front, the clamshell bonnet (a first for Hyundai) helps minimise panel gaps for enhanced aerodynamics, while lower down, the bumper takes on a unique V-shape design, framing the headlights into a single blacked-out rectangle area, just like the Hyundai Pony.
Hyundai’s ‘Parametric Dynamics’ design language is also present here, as seen in the distinctive pixel-like cluster daytime-running lights and rear combination tail lamp light signature. Even the controversial Z-shaped character lines first seen on the all-new Elantra is also mirrored here on the side new Ioniq 5 – which, if we’re being honest, looks a lot more homogenous with the cleaner lines of the EV.
Like many other EVs, the door handles also automatically retract when not in use to provide a clean surface, working together with the 20-inch aero-optimised wheels to enhance the overall aerodynamic efficiency. According to Hyundai, the 20-inch wheels are the largest “ever fitted to a Hyundai EV”.
Inside, Hyundai says that the Ioniq 5 embraces a ‘Living Space’ theme, most notably embodied by the ‘Universal Island’ – a moveable centre console that can slide back as much as 140 mm, allowing for a more flexible space inside the vehicle.
Other interior highlights include a pair of 12-inch screens serving as the instrument cluster and infotainment screens, electrically-adjustable seats that can recline almost completely flat, augmented-reality head-up display, as well as the use of eco-friendly, recycled materials such as PET bottles and plant-based yarns on most of the interior touchpoints.
The Ioniq 5 will be made available with two battery configurations (58 kWh or 72.6 kWh) and two electric motor layouts, RWD (single motor) or AWD (two motors). The top of the range configuration with two motors is capable of a power output of 225 kWh (302 hp) and 605 Nm of torque, which translates to a century sprint time of around 5.2 seconds.
With the 2WD configuration paired to the 72.6 kWh battery, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasts a maximum driving range of around 470-480 km, based on the WLTP cycle.
Featuring a 800V electrical architecture, the Ioniq 5 is also capable of charging at a maximum rate of 350 kW, refilling the Ioniq 5 from 10-80% in just 18 minutes, or taking just five minutes for a 100 km fully-electric driving range.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 also comes onboard with vehicle-to-grid charging, which is pretty rare in the current crop of electric cars. In addition to just charging laptops or other appliances via the plug socket underneath the seat (V2L), the Ioniq 5 can also essentially act as a mini generator when it is plugged in, providing electricity directly back to the local grid (depending on individual grid support).
In certain countries where electricity charges are based on the time of the day, this could lead to significant savings for the customers. Certainly a nicety to have!
GALLERY
