IONIQ is Hyundai’s sub-brand that unites only battery-electric vehicles (BEV’s). The IONIQ 5 is now the first vehicle built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), an innovative system developed exclusively for next-generation BEV’s marking Hyundai’s start into a new era of sustainable mobility.

The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 immediately catches the eye with its puristic exterior design that continues in the interior. The clean and sharp lines create a sleek and sophisticated look. Inside you find sustainable materials paired with high-tech instruments and a spacial room concept that directly creates a feel-good atmosphere. It doesn’t feel like sitting in a car anymore. It gives you more of a feeling like being in a mobile living room.

The front end of the IONIQ 5 is characterised by pixel LED light. The aero-optimised wheels further underline the parametric pixel design. The IONIQ 5 is Hyundai ‘s first model with a "clamshell bonnet". The smooth bonnet stretches like a clam shell over the wings to the wheel arches.

As said before the interior is characterised by minimalism, spaciousness and high comfort. At first glance, the IONIQ 5 seems compact. But when you sit inside, it is very spacious. Also if you look at the exact measurements of the car – 4.635 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and on a 3.000 mm wheelbase.

The interior is like a cozy lounge and the light shades and comfortable seats are very inviting. What needs to be noted here is, that Hyundai places high value on sustainability. The upholstery and textiles are partly made from sustainable fibres such as organic sugar cane or recycled PET plastic bottles. Hyundai states that each IONIQ 5 contains:
– up to 32 recycled PET bottles
– 730g sugar cane and mixed corn
– 294g wool
– 200g flaxseed oil
– 0.08 square meters of recyclable paperette

Beginning of the year Hyundai announced its partnership with Healthy Seas, a marine conservation organisation based in the Netherlands. The aim of Healthy Seas is to free the oceans of abandoned fishing nets and other debris through education, prevention, and clean-up activities. Hence the foot mats in the IONIQ 5 incorporate old fishing nets from Healthy Seas.

“Using recycled PET bottles can inspire people to think about how products that are easily thrown away could be turned into something new. Of course, it would be better if PET bottles didn’t exist at all.” – Chanki Park, Senior Color and Trim Designer Hyundai CMF Team

Even though the interior looks very puristic, Hyundai has not neglected to integrate some very nice features. The console between the two front seats can be slided back and forth giving the passengers great flexibility. This feature also offers you to freely enter and exit the cabin on either side, e.g. when you have parked in a narrow spot. Besides the rear bench can be also slided forth and back so the legroom can easily be adjusted. The two front seats recline to almost flat. Further the integrated Vehicle-to-Load-Technologie (V2L) gives you the possibility to charge your devices such as your laptop.

Another eye-catcher in the interior are the two white-framed 12.25-inch displays for cockpit displays and infotainment. Very neatly designed and intuitively to operate. And this reduced design continues on the steering wheel. There is not brand logo and as Hyundai states “We don’t need that, everyone knows that they are sitting in a Hyundai”.

In terms of charging speed, the IONIQ 5 doesn’t need to hide from other EV’s. Thanks to the advanced 800-volt technology, you can charge at a fast charging station with up to 220 kW. So within 5 minutes you charge the amount of energy for over 100 kilometres of range. Or from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes. The 11 kW onboard charger ensures charging at public charging points or at wallboxes.
Another great feature of the IONIQ 5 is the outdoor charging option. With a converter plugged into the external charging port, you can supply and charge devices with up to 3.6 kW even when the vehicle is switched off.

To sum up: The IONIQ 5 immediately catches the eye due to its futuristic design. The interior impresses with its spaciousness and comfortable atmosphere but also with the integration of sustainable and recycling materials. With a 350 kW charger, fast charging is possible – 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes. The IONIQ 5 provides a driving range of up to 481 km (according to WLTP).
The handling is intuitively and everything is neatly arranged. The vehicle is easy to drive, agile and it was a lot of fun to explore Valencia with the IONIQ 5.

For more information on the tech specs head over to Hyundai.

Pictures: Hyundai for ellectric
Text: Britta Reineke