Meet the all-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 - a stylish electric SUV

KUALA LUMPUR: After a lengthy teaser campaigning, Hyundai has finally pulled the wraps off its all-new pure electric SUV called Ioniq. The mid-size SUV is the first model of Hyundai’s new IONIQ brand, dedicated to battery electric vehicles and it is also the first of many upcoming models to be based on the automaker’s E-GMP dedicated EV platform. 

As a production version of the 45 Concept showcased at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, the electric compact crossover sports a futuristic design, mashed up with past nods and functionality innovation. The design is characterized by its Pony-inspired profile with a front-end incorporating the company’s first clamshell hood that minimizes panel gaps for better aerodynamics. 

The front bumper features an eye-catching V-shape and decked up with unique daytime running lights and pixel-inspired squared-off LED headlights. Other styling bits include pixelated tail lights, pop-out door handles, and minuscule overhangs. The Ioniq 5 also gets aero-optimized wheels echoing the Parametric Pixel design theme. These are offered in a super-sized 20-inch diameter; the largest rims ever fitted to a Hyundai electric vehicle.

Size-wise, the new Ioniq 5 measures 4,635 mm in length, 1,890 mm in width, 1,605 mm in height, and has an extended wheelbase of 3,000 mm. Hyundai claims that it offers the interior space of a car that lies in a segment above.

Moving inside, the cabin of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks as futuristic as its exterior bodywork. It features a flat dashboard with two 12-inch screens - one for the driver's instrument panel and the other for the infotainment. It also has the gear selector mounted on a lever behind the steering wheel as well as a head-up display with augmented reality support. The automaker says that the electric SUV offers innovative styling with eco-friendly materials in many touchpoints.

Other notable features include a solar roof that further improves its efficiency by harvesting the sun's energy and transferring it to the battery pack. 

Hyundai offers the Ioniq 5 in two battery sizes - a 58-kWh Standard Range, and a larger 72.6-kWh Long Range, both available with rear and all-wheel-drive systems.

The all-wheel-drive Standard Range models claim power and torque outputs of 173 kW and 605 Nm respectively, and cover 0-100 kmph in 6.1 seconds, while the rear-wheel drive version with the same battery pack churns out 125 kW and 350 Nm with a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 8.5 seconds.

At the same time, the Long Range AWD delivers 225 kW and 605 Nm from a pair of e-motors, enabling a 5.2-second dash from 0-100 kmph. However, the rear-wheel format makes 160 kW and 350 Nm and is claimed to hit the 100 kmph mark in 7.4 seconds.

The maximum driving range of the Ioniq 5 is 470 to 480 kilometres on Europe's WLTP test cycle. On a DC fast-charge hardware rated at 350 kW, the EV can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, and according to WLTP, it can recover 62 miles of range in five minutes.

As for safety, Hyundai loaded the Ioniq 5 with a plethora of hi-tech features including pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and advanced adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera system, a park-assist, safe exit assist, and so on.

The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 will hit the UK showrooms in mid-2021 in a ‘Project 45’ trim.

Also read: Hyundai and Kia are no longer in talks with Apple on car development