In late 2021, Hyundai delivered its first vehicle based on the E-GMP platform to the United States. This car was the fully-electric IONIQ 5, a crossover with a retro-futuristic design boasting groundbreaking 800V battery technology. Very few electric cars feature this technology, primarily allowing for unparalleled charging speeds. At the time of its release, the only other vehicle outfitted with this tech was the illustrious Porsche Taycan.
While its entry-level trims are sparse on features, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 prides itself in the safety and tech departments, offering many safety features and cool party tricks, such as V2L capabilities. V2L (Vehicle-to-load) gives owners access to 1.9kW of electricity from the battery via an adaptor. This means the IONIQ 5's high-voltage battery pack can become a backup generator during power outages or even non-emergency activities like camping trips.
Overall, the IONIQ 5 is a solid offering from the Korean auto giant. The best of its abilities is its capacity to make use of 350kW chargers. At one of these stations, the IONIQ 5 can charge from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes. For non-Standard Range RWD models, they can add 212 miles in 18 minutes at these high-powered stations. Compared to other options like the Mach-E or ID.4, there is simply no comparison: the IONIQ 5 is a charging powerhouse.
For its warranty, the IONIQ 5 comes with an impressive 5-year / 60,000-mile warranty, longer than the vast majority of other cars. Its powertrain warranty spans 10 years or 100,000 miles, though if sold secondhand, that figure will only cover the battery rather than the powertrain entirely. Still, its warranty is more impressive than most. Overall, the IONIQ 5 poses itself as a more than reasonable option.
2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5
At its launch into the U.S. market, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 was met with a generally positive reception. Its rebellious design paired with avant-garde battery technology was a solid recipe, and it had substantial consumer interest— primarily for dual motor versions. In the AWD guise, the 2022 IONIQ 5 makes a considerable 320 horsepower, bringing an element of muscle to the table. With dealership markups galore, it was challenging to acquire IONIQ 5s early on, but now with a steady supply in the used market, they're easier than ever to obtain.
Features
- Standard interior (base audio, 12.3-inch display, 800V charging)
- Highway Driving Assist I
Available Trims
- SE Standard Range RWD (220 miles of range, 8.4 seconds to sixty)
- SE/SEL/Limited RWD (303 miles of range, 7.4 seconds to sixty)
- SE/SEL/Limited AWD (256 miles of range, 5.1 seconds to sixty)
2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5
The Korean automaker brought along some updates for the IONIQ 5's second model year. The car remained the same for the most part, but there were a few notable changes. AWD models received a slight range increase of 10 miles, boosting their range figures from 256 to 266 miles. Non-Standard Range examples also had a towing capacity boost, now allowing for a maximum of 2,300 pounds. The other notable addition was a new matte gold color.
Features
- Standard interior (base audio, 12.3-inch display, 800V charging)
- Highway Driving Assist I
Available Trims
- SE Standard Range RWD (220 miles of range, 8.4 seconds to sixty)
- SE/SEL/Limited RWD (303 miles of range, 7.4 seconds to sixty)
- SE/SEL/Limited AWD (266 miles of range, 5.1 seconds to sixty)
How Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trims Differ in Practice?
SE Standard Range
The SE Standard Range trim is the least expensive way to get into Hyundai's IONIQ 5. Unfortunately, this comes at the levy of missing out on a lot of options. When opting for the SE Standard Range, interior comfort, range, performance, and safety take a hit. Unlike the upstream models, the SE Standard Range has a 58kWh battery pack, allowing for a more limited but still highly usable range of 220 miles. For performance, the base trim offers 168 horsepower, significantly lower than virtually every comparable vehicle.
In the interior, the SE Standard Range makes do with heated front cloth seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but it's lacking some basic features such as rear AC vents and wireless charging. Safety-wise, it offers Highway Driving Assist I (HDA I), which features adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functionality. It's missing evasive steering assist, front parking distance indicators, and HDA II, all available on upper trims.
SE (AWD and RWD)
Featuring a broadly similar set of features as the SE Standard Range, the SE provides a larger 77.4kWh battery pack than the SEL and Limited models. In RWD guise, it makes a more substantial 225 horsepower. AWD models pack an even more hefty punch with 320 horsepower. All SE trims and above can tow 2,300 pounds.
SEL (AWD and RWD)
The SEL serves as a midrange option within the lineup. It offers a solid blend of options, including ambient lighting, leatherette seating, Hyundai Digital Key and Highway Driving Assist II (HDA II). HDA II can perform lane changes with the click of the blinker stock. As for the powertrain, it offers both single and dual-motor setups.
Limited (AWD and RWD)
At the pinnacle of the IONIQ 5 lineup, the Limited trim comes with all the bells and whistles. The exterior features upgraded cladding, ditching the black plastic featured on all other trims. It also has ventilated seats, Bose audio, a panoramic glass roof, an 8-way power adjustable passenger seat, a head-up display with AR functionality, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Simply put, it offers a significant amount of options, especially when compared to the other trims.
