Retrofuturist groove distinguishes Hyundai’s fresh 2022 Ioniq 5 EV
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a digitally drawn econobox reimagined for the road ahead, a battery electric buggy that’s at once fresh and familiar. It’s peppered with exquisite detailing, such as the strakes that cascade from around the wheel arches, the artfully slim headlamps and subtle interplay of geometric side sculpting. It’s all contained on a crisp, boxy form that offsets such flights of fancy with a functional sensibility.
And despite its familiarity, the Ioniq 5’s shape hides outlandish proportions.
Its wheelbase is longer than the three-row Hyundai Palisade SUV, yet its overall length is nearly two inches shorter than a Hyundai Elantra, and is nearly as tall as a Hyundai Santa Fe. Part of that is due to the massive battery pack that’s placed down low between the axles, providing for a skateboard-like platform common to electric vehicles. This not only affords a totally flat floor inside the Ioniq 5, but it also provides for an uncommon amount of head room and leg room.
The instrument panel’s design is relentlessly horizontal, accentuated
by two 12-inch screens,
the left one for the digital instrument cluster, and the right being an infotainment touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition, a navigation system and USB plugs come standard. A useful head-up display proved helpful for keeping focused on the road ahead and warning of vehicles coming up alongside the vehicle.
Below the infotainment screen are some quick access buttons, with a touch-sensitive climate control screen below that. It’s all very easy to use.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is offered in four trim levels. The entrylevel Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range model, SE, SEL and Limited.
It can be recharged from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes using a DC fast charger. Despite the all-wheeldrive test car being rated by the EPA with 256 miles of range, it actually had 280 miles of range when fully charged.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 shows itself to be a confident performer with negligible body roll while cornering. Its steering is swift and precise for navigating obstacles. In Sport driving mode, its rearwheel bias makes it a kick to drive.
The Ioniq 5’s regenerative braking can be adjusted using paddles mounted on the steering wheel, which is one of its nicer features. Although it can make passengers queasy, boosting it to the maximum can help you get farther in stop-and-go traffic and allows one-pedal driving, virtually removing the need for the brake pedal.
Like any EV, you’ll spend more for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 than a comparable crossover powered by gasoline, but for the time being, its cost is lower than many EV rivals.
And not only will its short overall length give you more room to stash stuff in your garage, you’ll never have to stop at a gas station again. Now, isn’t that nice?