For the latest Hyundai pricing and information: https://www.kbb.com/Hyundai

Hyundai calls the 2022 IONIQ 5 a crossover utility vehicle…and I’m going to call it a hatchback. Whatever the label, it’s a fully electric car that rides on Hyundai’s electric global modular platform.

To start, the IONIQ 5 is roughly the same size as a Hyundai Tucson compact SUV. Logical competitors include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, the upcoming Nissan Ariya, and perhaps the Tesla Model Y.

Hitting the technical details, the IONIQ 5 features a 77.4 kWh battery pack and an 800V architecture allowing for fast recharge times. How fast? According to Hyundai, a 10% to 80% charge only takes 18 minutes if you have access to a 235-kW charger…which you probably don’t. Still, that is quick.

Use a level 2 home charger for a fully juiced IONIQ 5 in less than 7 hours. The IONIQ 5 is also backward compatible with the existing 400V charging infrastructure. Meaning you can charge it pretty much anywhere.

One cool detail. Hyundai has included vehicle to load abilities, meaning you can use the IONIQ 5 to power items using a 120V accessory outlet. I wonder if I can fit a soft-serve machine in the trunk.

Onward to the powertrain, single motor rear-wheel drive is standard offering 225 horsepower (225hp, 258 lb-ft), roughly 300 miles of range, and zero to 62 MPH sprints around 7.4 seconds. Dual motor AWD is offered on all 3 trim levels and is expected to return about 269 miles of range, 320 horsepower (320hp, 446 lb-ft), and 5.2 second runs to 62 miles per hour.

Speaking of trims, the base IONIQ 5 SE includes DC fast charging abilities, 4 drive modes, 4 regen braking profiles, a true one-pedal drive mode, and a range of active driver assist technology including a Junction Turning feature that can prevent the driver from turning in front of on-coming traffic at an intersection.

The SEL trim adds leatherette seating and a hands-free power liftgate, while the Limited rolls on 20-inch wheels, sports a huge sunroof, and adds a blind-spot monitor and a 360 camera to the feature roster.

With all those technical and trim details out of the way, we can talk finally about how the IONIQ 5 looks. There’s a clamshell hood, flush door handles, active air intakes, a sweet roof spoiler, and 6 nifty colors including blue, teal, and matte gray.

While staring at the side you might’ve also noticed a conspicuous crease in the bodywork. You might think the crease treatment is a bit much but I appreciate cars that are recognizable from the side.
One more aesthetic note. Hyundai has incorporated what they call a “Parametric Pixel” theme throughout the vehicle. You can see that pixelization in the wheel design, the taillights, the headlights, and this hidden lighting garnish. Ooh, that’s stylish.

Moving inside, the cabin features the kind of earth-friendly, sustainable touches you’d expect. The armrests and seats feature recycled plastic materials, this paperette door garnish is made of recyclable fiber, and the polyurethane paint on the dash and doors is responsibly produced from bean oil.

Sustainability aside, there are some very cool details in here. A flat floor enables easy passthrough…both front and rear. The center console slides up to 5.5 inches. And those dual 12.3-inch screens for gauge and infotainment use come standard. Going further, the left part of the dash is magnetic. And the driver seat reclines to this zero-gravity position for maximizing out the chill factor while waiting to charge.

Though the IONIQ 5’s 27.2 cu-ft cargo capacity trails the ID.4 and Mach E slightly, overall interior volume is best among the three at 106.5 cu-ft. Quick gist, the 5 is roomy.

Hyundai hasn’t revealed pricing information, but they’ve claimed the IONIQ 5 will be competitive. For reference, a rear-wheel-drive Volkswagen ID.4 starts around $40k. A Hyundai IONIQ 5 priced below that would be awfully compelling.

Whatever it costs, the all-wheel-drive IONIQ 5 will go on sale in the fall of 2021, with the RWD version landing about one month later. Mind you, that’s only in select states. A wider rollout through America will start in 2022.

If Tesla has taught us anything, it’s that electric cars find success not solely by being electric…but by being desirable. It’s probably not for everyone but to me, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is very desirable.

00:00 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5
0:30 Category & Competitors
0:56 Battery & Charging
2:00 Powertrain Choices
2:26 Features
3:07 Exterior Styling
4:14 Interior Review
5:38 Is the interior roomy?
6:08 Price