Words Tommaso Mogge / Photos Gian Romero

It rarely happens that I get excited in front of a product that cannot be considered exotic, but with the Ioniq 5 it’s crazy love at first sight. Crazy due to the fact that it is an electric sedan and therefore purely dedicated to a use that puts aside adrenaline and speed, in favor of eco-sustainable usability and practicality. It is slightly updated and houses a larger battery capable of guaranteeing even more road on your horizon, still maintaining intact that very particular look that manages to combine a retro taste with the inevitable futuristic touch that is appropriate when talking about 100% electrified mobility.

Hyundai is betting a lot on this player and for a good reason, because the Ioniq 5 not only boasts a unique aesthetic in the price list, but a passenger compartment that takes up the game of the stylistic-temporal bridge introduced on the outside, without however being impractical, a fundamental aspect for a car that must be used on a daily basis and therefore accommodate up to five people, luggage and technology that keeps up with the competition. In this specific case it is not a question of following others, but of writing your own exceptional path. I also appreciate the Ioniq 5 even more, after having seen the new Ioniq 6, which for its part has a line that is certainly less easy to absorb than this one.

The 5 seems to have come out of “Back to the Future”, perhaps also thanks to the chromatic appeal of the bodywork, marked by clean and squared cuts which are emphasized on the edgy sides and which show off the enormous 20-inch wheels. Another stylistic gem that accentuates an extremely refined design and that continuously plays with retro stylistic features, such as for example the rear lights with a Pixel-style signature, while the front ones are thin as a blade, giving a notable presence especially when darkness falls. Better than the DeLorean, even without its gullwing doors.

However, with the Ioniq 5 we are still talking about electric mobility, so once the great work done by the designers has been appreciated, it is fundamental to talk about the beating heart, a 77.4 kWh battery which has a peak power of 228-hp and a torque of 350 Nm. Interesting figures that make it agile, but not excessively thirsty for electrons: 0-100 kph occurs in 7.3 seconds and top speed is limited to 185 per hour. All this in the name of an average mileage declared by the manufacturer at around 507 kilometers, which after my weeks of testing were also quite realistic, maybe keeping in mind to never be too demanding on the accelerator pedal. Otherwise you lose a few dozen kilometers, but the overall range is still excellent, especially for the daily needs of a random customer.

Traction is only at the rear and this quality is also reflected in a very precise handling, where the front axle has the sole task of setting the curves. If you can move around the city without problems, the Ioniq 5 is particularly appreciated on secondary roads, where there is the possibility of driving with just one pedal, even if unfortunately you will have to recall it every time you turn it on. Sitting in the bright cockpit you have no perception at all of how much weight you are actually carrying around – 2 tonnes – thanks to the absence of body roll, even at the most intense speeds. Of course, this Hyundai is not designed for shooting at traffic lights – the 650 hp Ioniq 5 N is coming for that – but for a wider use and capable of satisfying those looking for an electric car that doesn’t transmit range anxiety and that knows how to surprise without special effects that are now taken for granted.

Honorable mention for the driving position, where you find yourself perched on a soft and very comfortable seat, a stone’s throw from the two-spoke steering wheel and in front of the two large digital displays united by a profile that makes the dashboard design minimalist and clean like the rest of the interior. Since there is no gearbox, in the middle of the front seats there is an extremely large storage console which can slide forwards and backwards, while if it is of interest to you, know that you have 527 liters for your stuff at the back, which becomes 1,587 with rear seats folded down, all to be combined with the 57 liters available in the front compartment. The Ioniq 5 is one of the best electric cars on the market, not only for its efficiency, but for a look that is unmatched at least for the moment and a driving precision that really stands out. This is why I believe that starting at €48,750 (for the 58 kWh) is a price in line with what you actually get. Add four thousand Euros and get almost 60 horsepower and around 120 km of extra range. If this drove me crazy, imagine what will happen when I get my hands on the Ioniq 5 N.

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

Engine Electric with 77,4 kWh battery Power 228 hp (peak boost) Torque 350 Nm

Traction Rear Wheel Drive Transmission Single Speed Automatic Gearbox Weight 2.010 kg

0-100 kph 7,3 sec Top Speed 185 kph Price from€52.750 Range ca. 507 km (declared)