In December last year, Hyundai had announced an electrification plan for the upcoming years. The Ioniq brand is set to be the foundation upon which they will build their electric line-up. The vehicular platform of E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) will serve as the powertrain base for this lineup, at least at the beginning. On the basis of that, Hyundai and Kia combined will launch up to 25 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2025.
This electrification phase has already begun, as Hyundai revealed their first electric vehicle under the Ioniq sub-brand. The Ioniq 5 is a crossover vehicle, which is set to take on big names like Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Hyundai has said that they will launch the Ioniq 5 late in 2021, with deliveries starting in 2022.
Ioniq 5 Exterior Design
The Ioniq 5 has a hatchback-type design with crossover-like dimensions. A clamshell hood dips low into a V-shaped nose that houses small LED headlights and blocky daytime running lights. The wedge-shaped front wraps around the sides, then splits behind the front wheel into two distinct character lines, including a beltline that skims past door handles flush with the body, and another that cuts down through the rear wheel to the back, also like a wedge. Available 20-inch wheels with a vortex design, an integrated rear roof spoiler, and short overhangs complete the sporty profile.
The most striking feature is the wheelbase of the vehicle. A 118.1-inch wheelbase is one of the largest in this segment. It is longer than the seven-seater Hyundai Palisade. To put things into perspective, the wheelbase of the Tesla Model S, which is a premium sedan, is 116.5 inches.
Ioniq 5 Interior Design
Ioniq 5’s interior includes a digitized dashboard and uses a lot of eco-friendly materials. They have used a lot of recycled plastic bottles and plant-based fibres and extracts. A sliding centre console can move from between the front seats to the rear row, creating extra space as and when required. Heated seats and steering wheels will also be available. The additional options will include an 8-speaker Bose sound system, a head-up display with augmented display, remote parking and a hands-free driving feature.
The 12″ touchscreen infotainment system complements the 12″ digital instrument console behind the steering wheel. Other features include wireless phone charging and electrically adjustable front seats.
The front seats can recline to any angle, allowing you a comfortable rest when the vehicle is charging.
Powertrain Design
The powertrain consists of an 800-volt architecture, as in the Porsche Taycan and Audi eTron. This allows a faster charging rate, with 5 to 80% charging in just 18 minutes. In comparison, Tesla has a 400-volt architecture. The charging port can be opened using a button, a key fob or the smartphone app.
There are two battery pack options, and a rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive transmission are available for both options. The Standard Range 58-kWh pack comes with a single motor that makes 215 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque. The dual-motor setup with the smaller battery pack makes 232 horsepower and 606 Nm of torque.
The larger battery pack has a capacity of 77.4 kWh. The rear-wheel-drive has a similar output as the smaller battery pack. But the all-wheel-drive with the larger battery pack is the premium variant. It gives out a total of 302 horsepower and 606 Nm of torque. The top speed is 115 mph (185 kph) and it can accelerate from 0-60 mph (96.5 kph) in 5.2 seconds.
One of the most interesting features of the Ioniq 5 is the Vehicle-To-Load (V2L) feature. You can power a lot of appliances using the vehicle’s battery. There is a unique outlet connector or a three-prong outlet for charging purposes. Interestingly enough, you can charge other vehicles using the Ioniq 5 also.
Driver Assist Features
The Ioniq 5 will most probably offer Level 2 autonomy. Hyundai’s system is similar to GM’s Super Cruise. It can drive on the highway and change lanes with almost no driver intervention. There is also a remote self-parking system, which can park the vehicle on its own.
Our Opinion
The Ioniq 5 is Hyundai’s beginning of their new electrification phase. With the Ioniq sub-brand, Hyundai will be aiming to take on the European rivals, while also offering some features that not even Tesla does. The plan to bring in 23 electric vehicles by 2025 seems optimistic, but the Ioniq 5 is a very good start to this plan.
