Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai Ioniq 5 - Electric motor, drive and performance

Although set up for comfort, the Ioniq 5 should still be quick enough for most

Electric motor, drive and performance rating

4.2

How we review cars
Price
£39,900 - £58,240
  • Looks great
  • Impressive charging ability
  • Spacious
  • Not an engaging drive
  • Shallow boot design
  • No rear wiper
Find your Hyundai Ioniq 5
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

Hyundai is serious about its all-electric future, with the Korean car maker planning to introduce 23 all-electric models and reach a sales target of 1 million BEVs by 2025. The Ioniq 5 sits on the manufacturer’s first dedicated BEV platform called E-GMP, while the tech will also underpin the production of smaller and larger models.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Unfortunately, the Ioniq 5 still incurs the typical weight penalty that comes from housing big, heavy batteries. Its design allows for the battery pack to be placed under the floor to help deliver a low centre of gravity, and with it, less body lean in corners. Hyundai’s all-electric hatchback weighs around two tonnes, but performance remains solid. Opt for the all-wheel-drive variant, and the standard Ioniq 5 has pretty rapid acceleration off the line if you decide to stamp on the pedal, with 321bhp at your disposal. Otherwise, the power delivery is all very relaxed, with the Ioniq 5 easy to pilot around town. 

We wouldn’t say the standard Ioniq 5 is an entertaining car to drive around twisty lanes, because it majors on providing great levels of comfort rather than B-road thrills –- a brief it fulfils impressively well. We feel that the rear-wheel drive version will suit most needs because it provides well-balanced handling, with plenty of grip and traction. All-wheel drive models, while faster, don’t transform the driving experience. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Higher-end cars, fitted with larger 20-inch alloy wheels, provide a little more fidget over slow-speed lumps and bumps than you’d perhaps like, but overall, the Ioniq 5 offers a composed ride, with limited body lean and the light steering is well-suited to the car’s set-up.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Don’t be disheartened If you’re a performance fan, though, because the arrival of the Ioniq 5 N proves that the fun factor of the i20 N and i30 N hot hatchbacks can translate into an electric car. The N model is powered by twin electric motors producing 601bhp normally, rising to 641bhp if you engage ‘N mode’. The Ioniq 5 N has also been mechanically tweaked with features such as firmer suspension, larger alloy wheels and bespoke tyres. 

0-62mph acceleration and top speed 

The Ioniq 5 is currently available with a choice of three batteries, three power outputs and the option of rear- or all-wheel-drive. Entry-level cars use a 58kWh battery and a 168bhp motor driving the rear wheels, with 0-62mph taking a reasonable 8.5 seconds.

Hyundai initially offered a 73kWh battery setup for the 214bhp rear-wheel-drive version and 301bhp all-wheel-drive variants, but this has now been replaced with a 77.4kWh unit. Their 0-62 sprint times were slightly improved, too, at 7.3 seconds and 5.1 seconds, respectively. The top speed of both models is 114mph, which is 1mph less than the RWD model.

The Ioniq 5 N wades in with an 84kWh battery — the largest of the line-up. When it comes to performance, this electric hot hatch boasts a supercar-like 3.4-second 0-62mph time, and its top speed is 161mph. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Ford Capri review
Ford Capri - front

Ford Capri review

In-depth reviews
13 Nov 2024
Nissan Ariya review
Nissan Ariya - main image

Nissan Ariya review

In-depth reviews
12 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each
Land Rover Defender Octa - front action

Hot Land Rover Defender Octa in high demand with close to 3,000 orders at £150,000 each

Buyers aren’t being deterred by the hefty asking price for the most powerful Defender yet, with 2,900 already signing up worldwide
News
12 Nov 2024
Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates
Mazda CX-60 - front 3/4 static

Mazda CX-60 is now more comfortable thanks to 2025 updates

Mazda’s SUV has picked up some worthy trim and technical updates
News
13 Nov 2024
Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?
Dacia Duster and MG ZS - front tracking

Dacia Duster vs MG ZS: which is the best budget hybrid SUV?

The new Dacia Duster and MG ZS are the UK’s cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
Car group tests
13 Nov 2024