Hyundai IONIQ 5 2021 Review

Blending a retro-tinged yet cutting-edge exterior design with excellent equipment levels and a 225kW electric powertrain at the top end, the 2021 Hyundai IONIQ has loads of showroom appeal.

It also boasts a driving range of up to 450km between recharging, but the talking point just keeps coming back to that spellbinding design.

Rarely have we had so many random passers-by ask us: “What IS that?!” – the striking optics attracting more attention than Kanye West booing Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Despite being the most expensive Hyundai available today, priced at $71,900 plus on-road costs for the single-motor version and $75,900 plus ORCs for the dual-motor variant we’re testing here, the first local allocation of IONIQ 5 cars sold out in just two hours.

Offered in a single high-end trim level at launch – the only option is matte paint at $1000 – the IONIQ 5 is fitted with almost everything available from the factory, and Hyundai Australia expects demand to continue outstripping supply throughout 2022 when more stock, and more affordable model grades, eventually arrive.

Just about the only items Aussie models don’t get are the video-camera side mirrors and augmented reality head-up display offered in South Korea.

The five-seat Hyundai IONIQ 5 is categorised as a mid-size SUV and is similar in stature to the Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5 with a 4635mm length and 1890mm width. But in the metal it looks and feels more like a thickset hatchback.

Standard features include 3D-pixel LED headlights and tail-lights that are like nothing else out there today and will appeal to anyone who has fond memories of the original Nintendo Entertainment System, circa 1985.

Big 20-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power-operated tailgate and flush-fit pop-out capacitive-touch door handles are also part of the exterior package.

Related: Hyundai IONIQ 5 named carsales Car of the Year 2021

The light-coloured and airy cabin features dual 12.3-inch digital screens, a high-quality eight-speaker Bose stereo and 12-way power-adjustable eco leather-upholstered heated and cooled front seats with an impressive ‘relaxion’ layback mode.

There’s also a massive glass roof, dual-zone climate control with automatic defogging, dehumidifying and an air filter, a wireless phone charger, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, acoustically laminated front glass, sunshades for the rear windows and two-way power-adjustable rear seats.

Cargo space is pretty good, with a decent-sized 527-litre boot tripling in capacity to 1587L with the 60/40-split rear seats folded down.

There’s also a 24-litre cargo cubby (frunk) under the bonnet – holding 57 litres in the single-motor variant – but it’s not as spacious as in the Tesla Model 3, which was recently named carsales’ Best Electric Car for 2021.

There’s a hidden compartment under the boot but no spare tyre, just a can of goop to plug up any puncture wounds you might incur on the road.

Despite costing at least $10,000 more than the Tesla Model 3 and new Polestar 2 EVs, Hyundai argues its new EV hero represents better value thanks to its handsome equipment levels and, to a point, it’s correct – most owners will want for nothing.

Check out our IONIQ 5 price and specification story for further details.

The car is backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery is covered for eight years/160,000km. Capped-price servicing will set you back $1664 for five years or $332 per annum, with 12-month/15,000km service intervals.

The 2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 sings to the same tune as most new-generation EVs by delivering a high-tech cabin design, which in this case is dominated by dual 12.3-inch digital screens covered by a stylish single pane of glass with blue light filters.

The central touch-screen features one of the best operating systems I’ve experienced with an intuitive, sensible menu structure with plenty of scope that won’t bamboozle the user.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are part of the package, but require a cable. No wireless compatibility yet, which is a shame.

The second LCD screen forms the driver display and features all the details you’d expect, such as a digital speedometer, power and charge gauges, energy flow, range displays and even an AWD distribution display on the top-spec model we’re testing here.

There are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – each with a unique visual motif and throttle maps.

But unlike a lot of other electric cars, many of which aren’t built from the ground up as an EV like this one, the IONIQ 5 has a really roomy feel thanks to a few neat features, including a completely flat floor and a sliding central console.

The reversing camera delivers crisp images, while the 360-degree parking feature includes 3D flick and spin override. There are several parking assist functions too, as well as the ability to get out of the car and use the key fob to park the EV remotely.

In terms of safety equipment, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is fitted with seven airbags including a central front airbag designed to reduce head-clash injuries between the driver and front passenger.

Driver assistance tech is best described as comprehensive. Tesla Model 3 owners with the $10,100 Autopilot option won’t be blown away but the autonomous steering, acceleration and braking systems are very effective for the most part, keeping the car in its lane and making highway cruising a relaxed affair.

A blind-spot live feed using cameras on the side mirrors is very handy and a new junction turning/crossing system looks both ways and can hit the anchors if you don’t.

Other standard safety features include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with bicycle and pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, auto-dipping high beam headlights, parking collision avoidance assist and safe exit assist.

It’s an extensive list of safety features but the IONIQ 5 has not yet been tested by ANCAP. We’d be surprised if it didn’t get top marks and a five-star rating.

The 2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is available with a choice of powertrain: a 160kW/350Nm single-motor rear-drive version; or 225kW/605Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up, which we’re testing here.

The dual permanent magnet synchronous motors – producing 70kW/255Nm up front and 155kW/350Nm at the rear – make a mockery of the Korean EV’s 2100kg tare mass, handing the AWD IONIQ 5 impressive acceleration.

The benchmark 0-100km/h time takes a claimed 5.2 seconds, and from behind the wheel there’s no denying the IONIQ 5 has got plenty of pace.

Acceleration while cruising is also rapid; overtaking other vehicles on the highway is like shooting fish in a barrel, only not as grim.

Hyundai says the EV will tow a 1600kg braked trailer, and all models come with a trailer pre-wiring package.

The motors are fed by a 72.6kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery (253kW/653V). Hyundai claims energy consumption of 19kWh/100km to deliver a 430km range (WLTP), and we were slightly under that mark with 18.3kWh/100km after five days behind the wheel.

That’s a pretty handy result given how many full-throttle standing starts we performed, not to mention around 120km of highway driving.

The cheaper rear-drive IONIQ 5 can do 451km which is on par with the entry-level Tesla Model 3’s 448km range.

Hyundai’s head-turning EV is definitely more efficient around town at slower speeds and especially in traffic. And if you planned your trip to intercept fast-chargers along the way, we see no reason why you couldn’t comfortably drive up the east coast of Australia with one of these.

There’s also a lower density (read: more affordable) 56kWh battery available with a shorter range (370km) but it’s not available in Australia yet. If Hyundai could hit a sub-$60,000 price with that set-up, buyers with the circa-$60K Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 already on their shopping list would surely be in a quandary.

One of the most impressive things about the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is its compatibility with 400/800V battery recharging – something its main rivals don’t yet offer.

It’s made possible by Hyundai’s all-new E-GMP scalable platform and sees the Korean car-maker as the first mainstream non-luxury brand to offer 800V charging. Simply put, it means if you have access to a 350kW (DC) ultra-rapid fast-charger, you can theoretically recharge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes.

It turned around a quick top-up for us at a public recharging station, drawing 127kW during our stint.

On a 50kW fast-charger Hyundai claims it takes just over an hour to charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent, while a regular 240V AC connection will see you waiting more than six hours for a 10 to 70 per cent top-up at the maximum 10.5kW charging capacity.

While the IONIQ doesn’t have vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability like some electrified Mitsubishi and Nissan vehicles, Hyundai says it may offer this in future.

However, it does have a vehicle-to-load function which is arguably more attractive. With a 250V/3.6kW output capacity, you can attach a regular three-pin plug via an included adaptor and then recharge your laptop, electric mountain bike, power a portable oven, plug in a projector, hook up some outdoor lights, power a fridge, even charge another EV – the options are endless.

Hyundai’s first clean-sheet EV delivers an approachable blend of ride comfort, roadholding and handling dynamics.

The 2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 produces a very smooth and refined drive, with a strong luxury car vibe thanks to acoustically laminated windows and quiet motors combining with a spacious and comfortable cabin in a serendipitous fashion.

The view out of the car is very good due to the large glass areas and low dashboard, and there is something appealing about the way the car motivates – it has a hint of character, something few EVs offer today.

The drive experience can also be altered in a meaningful way with the ‘i-pedal’ mode which maxes out the regenerative braking. In other words, when you come off the throttle the brakes come on strongly – and it’s one of the best of its type we’ve tested to date.

You can effectively bring the car to a standstill without touching the brake pedal, and the nature of the system requires a little more forward thinking, keeping you more engaged with the drive.

Despite the lack of adaptive suspension and the fitment of massive 20-inch alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres (255/45R20), ride comfort is pretty good. You do feel sharper bumps and potholes but overall it deals with rougher surfaces with impressive compliance.

The quasi Lancia Delta Integrale hot hatch looks are a little misleading given the IONIQ 5 is no apex predator and doesn’t have the precision and front-end bite of something designed to get the adrenaline really pumping.

It also didn’t undergo the usual local ride and handling tweaks applied to most Hyundai models, largely due to travel COVID-related travel restrictions.

“It’s not a sports car despite its acceleration figures; it’s a large, practical, comfortable family car,” Hyundai Australia’s product planning boss, Andrew Tuitahi, explained.

“But it definitely leaves space for enhanced control should we look for a car that’s more sporty or more like an N in terms of performance,” he added, hinting at the red-hot IONIQ 5 N that’s all but been confirmed.

While the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a beautifully executed EV which appeals to the head, the heart and even the soul in some ways, it’s not without criticism.

The electric rear windows don’t have auto up/down functionality, which is pretty poor for a car of this price and tech levels, and the almost 12-metre turning circle often makes a three-point turn into a five-point turn.

The IONIQ 5 is an excellent mode of transport in urban areas and is easy to park thanks to its moderate exterior dimensions, but in certain situations we noticed squeaks around the doors and boot area, which may be due to the giant glass roof reducing body rigidity and putting more stress on the upright areas of the vehicle.

Whatever the case, they’re not deal-breaking issues and don’t detract too much from what is a positive overall driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is without doubt the coolest Hyundai ever.

The South Korean brand is bringing some wild designs and thoughtful vehicles into existence, and in this case it couldn’t be more true. And it’s helped make the IONIQ 5 a sell-out success.

But there’s far more here than just a radical robotron design.

Once the excitement of the initial launch passes and more affordable model grades arrive, the IONIQ 5 has the potential to get Tesla Model 3 and conventional car owners requesting a test drive.

Indeed, Hyundai has done its homework and created a genuinely practical family vehicle that has the kind of originality and appeal few EVs today offer.

It blends an excellent powertrain, high-speed 800-volt charging capabilities with a clever cabin layout. And although it’s an expensive proposition – for now – it’s very much mission accomplished for the brand.

Hyundai has officially brought its EV big guns to bear and electric car brands like Volkswagen’s ID, Volvo’s Polestar and Tesla should take note.

We wouldn’t say it’s a slam-dunk success, but golly gee it goes close.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD cost?
Price: $75,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now (delivery in 2022)
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motors
Output: 225kW/605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 72.6kWh lithium-ion
Range: 430km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 19kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested