We have swapped our plug-in hybrid Hyundai Tucson for the full battery electric Ioniq 5, following a path taken by many others who have used PHEV as the stepping-stone on their BEV journey.
Our new long-termer has the larger 73kWh battery, offering a combined range of up to 300 miles with rear wheel drive. An all-wheel drive version (287 miles) is also available as is a smaller 240-mile 58kWh battery model.
The Ioniq comes with AC and DC charging leads and can accommodate the most powerful public chargers currently available – 350kW ultra rapids will provide 80% charge in just 18 minutes and give 60 miles of range in just five minutes, making this one of the most practical cars on the market for long distance journeys.
We have the middle of the three trim levels, Premium, with the optional Vehicle 2 Load Pack (P11D: £43,035), which allows you to charge any electric device from the car up to 3.6kW of power – including another electric vehicle. Entry level is SE Connect; topping the range is Ultimate.
Equipment levels are generous on our model and include parking sensors and camera, electric boot, 12.3-inch infotainment/sat-nav touchscreen, blind spot alerts, forward collision avoidance (car, pedestrian and cyclist), lane keep and lane follow assist, rear cross traffic collision avoidance and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.
First impression is the pictures do not do this car justice, in looks and – especially – size. It’s much bigger in real life; it actually has a larger footprint that the Tucson. The contemporary design features slimline grille and headlights, aggressive body creases and eye-catching alloys; inside things get even more futuristic.
We’ll be reviewing this car against two key criteria: how good it is as a full electric car versus other BEVs (usability, practicality, experience), and how good it is as a car, period. In other words, when it comes to cost, enjoyment, quality, driveability, does the Ioniq supplant petrol and diesel models or are there compromises?
Over the next six months, we’ll find out.
