HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

To many, Hyundai is a marque that has only been on the European scene for a few years, but its history in cars goes way back. The Pony, for example, was South Korea’s first mass-produced and exported car of the mid-’70s, and Hyundai celebrated this in 2019 with its 45 concept – a rather dashing retro-inspired EV.

Thankfully, the head honchos saw fit to put this concept into production… and it remains largely unchanged in the soon-to-be-available Ioniq 5. Retro-tastic exterior styling meets cutting-edge tech in the form of 800-volt charging, allowing drivers to add 62 miles of range in just five minutes via Ionity’s network of 350kw fast chargers.

The interior’s smart too, with the ‘lounge’ feel that so many EV makers are gunning for these days. Expect a 12.25in full-touch infotainment screen, sliding rear seats and front seats that fully recline, allowing occupants to catch some zeds while the car charges.

Perhaps the coolest feature of all is the solar panel roof, which will help add a little charge to the batteries, especially when parked up – something owners will enjoy doing, seeing as the Ioniq 5 also has Vehicle to Load (V2L) capabilities, allowing its battery to power things like fridges, lights and camping stoves. You can even charge a mate’s EV, should they run out of juice on the way to your favourite patch of wilderness.

PRICE £35,000 (est) / hyundai.co.uk

● 300 miles approx ● Up to 550hp ● 0-62mph in 5.3secs ● Top speed 115mph