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Hyundai Ioniq 5: EV SUV of the year -- again and again

What's the top electric SUV for 2022? According to Car and Driver, Kelley Blue Book, and other notable automotive publications worldwide, it's the Hyundai IONIQ 5 -- even beating out the Mustang Mach-E. MotorTrend named it the top SUV ... period.

With a sharp angular design, a spacious and very cool interior (including a lounge-inspired leg rest for the driver when parked), two battery pack options, the ability to park using the key fob, and a slew of responsive driving features, it's full of differentiators that count in this fast-growing market.

We don't usually show interior pics until the end of the article, but since the IONIQ 5 dares to break some rules, we will too.

The IONIQ 5 is the first model in Hyundai's new IONIQ brand dedicated to battery electric vehicles (BEV). It uses Hyundai Motor Group's dedicated BEV architecture called Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), enabling it to have unique proportions on an elongated wheelbase. With E-GMP, IONIQ 5 offers innovative interior design with eco-friendly materials, strong performance mated with ultra-fast charging, and advanced connectivity and driver assistance features that offer an impressive in-car experience while ensuring safety.

IONIQ 5 uses a super-fast 800-V electric architecture. Customers can select from two battery pack options and two electric motor layouts, either with a rear motor only or with both front and rear motors (AWD). With the standard 58-kWh battery and RWD, drivers get 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with 220 miles of range. The 72.6-kWh battery option with RWD provides 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque with 303 miles of range, while the larger battery with AWD (dual motors) makes 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque with 256 miles of range. All models have a top speed of 115 mph and can tow a trailer with a capacity up to 3,527 lb. IONIQ 5 comes with regenerative braking. The SUV's battery pack can also be used as a power source.

The front of the car is equipped with Hyundai's first clamshell hood that minimizes panel gaps for optimal aerodynamics. The front bumper is defined by an eye-catching V-shape incorporating distinctive daytime running lights that provide an unmistakable light signature unique to IONIQ 5. These small pixel-like clusters also appear at the rear of the vehicle.

On the sides, auto flush door handles provide clean surface styling and enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. The front and rear forms of the vehicle merge together at its doors, offering another example of Hyundai's "Parametric Dynamics" design first seen on the all-new Tucson. Aero-optimized wheels echo the Parametric Pixel design theme and are offered in a super-sized 20-in. diameter -- the largest rims ever fitted to a Hyundai EV.

IONIQ 5's crossover body type achieves unique proportions and short overhangs due to its elongated wheelbase. Measuring 4,635-mm long, 1,890-mm wide, and 1,605-mm tall on a 3,000-mm wheelbase, IONIQ 5 offers D-segment-like space in a midsize SUV.

Inside, the flat floor provides enough room to really stretch out. Hyundai boasts a "living space" design. The Universal Island movable console up front complements the simple center fascia with gear selector located behind the steering wheel. The sliding console allows passengers to not only enjoy more flexibility, but also freely enter and exit the cabin on either side when parked in a narrow spot. Second-row passengers also can enjoy center console features, such as cup holders, a 15-W fast wireless phone charger, and USB ports.

The vision roof of IONIQ 5 provides the interior with a greater sense of openness, because the ceiling consists of one large glass panel.

IONIQ 5 provides 531 liters of trunk space, which increases up to almost 1,600 liters when the second-row seats are fully folded. For added versatility, the second-row seats can slide forward up to 135 mm and also be folded in a 6:4 ratio. The front trunk space (where a traditional combustion engine usually goes) is disappointingly small.

Many of the IONIQ 5's interior touchpoints (seats, headliner, door trim, floor, and armrest) use eco-friendly, sustainably sourced materials such as recycled PET bottles, plant-based (bio PET) yarns and natural wool yarns, eco-processed leather with plant-based extracts, and bio paint with plant extracts.

IONIQ 5 can also be equipped with an eco-friendly solar roof, which supports the vehicle's electric power source by collecting energy and transferring it to the battery pack. There are lots of other nifty features, including remote charging, an augmented reality head-up display, a Dynamic Voice Recognition system for navigation and controlling in-cabin features, and a premium Bose sound system.

IONIQ 5 uses Hyundai's Highway Driving Assist 2 with a front camera, radar, and navigation data. There are lots of other driving safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, and High Beam Assist, just to name a few.

Remote Smart Parking Assist allows the driver to remotely park or exit a parking spot from outside the vehicle. This feature works for both parallel and perpendicular parking and can be activated via a button on the vehicle's smart key fob.

This is just a taste of what the IONIQ 5 has to offer. Learn more at hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles/ioniq-5.

Starting MSRP is $41,450⁠.

Source: Hyundai

Published December 2022

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