Hyundai Ioniq 5 Premium

By Bill McCarthy

There’s a good reason for the exceptional boom in the popularity of Korean cars. They are excellent vehicles and they look good. Hyundai is right up there in the EV stakes with long range models that are both stylish and economical, with the Ioniq 5 initially leading the way. and the natural progression to the EV6. 

The model’s slippery shape has a low drag coefficient of just 0.21, making is cut through the air in a most efficient way and increasing battery range. Always in the back of the mind of EV drivers.

There is no doubt it is a very good-looking vehicle and has the look of a Mercedes coupe about it, with its sleek swooping lines and aerodynamic profile.
It has an array of light features that could rival a Christmas switch on with over 700 Parametric Pixels in various places, such as headlamps, rear combination lamps and centre console indicator.

It is packed with equipment as has always been the case with, but the electrics and electronics are supplemented even in this model with premium equipment like a reversing camera system, head-up display, fully adjustable, powered seats that are both heated, alloy pedals and powered boot lid.

On the road, WLTP figures suggest a range of 330 miles, enough to reach any part of the country unless you’re driving from Cornwall to Scotland. They are keenly priced and this version is one of two models available, one in all-wheel drive and the other in rear-wheel drive only.

There are two versions, the rear-wheel drive with 228ps and the all-wheel drive model with 325ps. Both provide a lively performance, with the more powerful version reaching 62mph in just 5.1 seconds. 

Borderline supercar territory. Not only that, it is environmentally friendly, incorporating recycled and renewable materials throughout the smart cabin. As usual, standard equipment is comprehensive.

There is little or no range anxiety with this and a claimed 330 miles range is aided by regenerative braking through the paddle shifters to deliver single pedal operation.

On the road, the car is agile and sure-footed, The E-GMP structure, specivially enginerre for EVs, enables a low placement of the battery, which in turn delivers a low centre of gravity which offers improved cornering performance and driving stability at high speed. 

With the steering providing ample feedback, and the car’s dynamics adapting well to various road conditions. It is very quiet, making it a pleasant drive in both city and motorway conditions.

There is ample space for up to five passengers, with lots of legroom in the front and rear. The cabin of this vehicle boasts a futuristic appearance and features like dual colour-selectable mood lighting for both the first and second-row.

Central are dual  12.3-inch full-touch screen, one for infotainment, connectivity and navigation, while the other deliver real time driver information.

Infotainment features on this Premium model include head-up display , and a premium Bose audio system.

Despite it slippery shape, it is reasonably practical, offering 401 litres of boot space, which is supplemented by an extra 45 litres in the. So-called ‘frunk’ under the bonnet where the engine would have been.

It is packed with safety kit, including a full complement of airbags, stability control, braking and anti-collision systems for both car and pedestrians. As a result, it has earned a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The  E-GMP architecture allows for 400V and high-speed 800V charging cand features a vehicle-to-load function that can charge your AC electrical devices.

Factfile

Hyundai Ioniq 6 Premium RWD

• Price: £46,985
• Mechanical: 77.4kWh lithium-ion  battery and 228bhp electric motor driving rear  wheels via automatic transmission
• Max Speed: 115mph
• 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds
•  Range: 338 miles
• Insurance Group: 36
• C02 emissions: 0g/km
• Warranty: 5yrs/unlimited miles