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Premium quality from Korean giants

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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
AWD, Motoring, Subaru, SUV/4X4

Still going strong…with more to come

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Subaru Forester e-Boxer

By Bill McCarthy

When discussing the many pros, and yes a couple of cons of Subaru models, the word Sport rarely comes into the equation. With the exception, of course, of the firecracker rally star the Impreza WRX.

‘Sport’ is a regular description in the lexicon of motor manufacturers, and usually suggests an upgrade in performance, which is not the case on Subaru’s versatile, go virtually anywhere SUV.

The Forester, due to be upgraded in a couple of months, offers superb off-road capability, excellent practicality and bulletproof reliability. 

A car much favoured in the rural community it is built on the firm’s Global Platform and features the two litre eBoxer self-charging hybrid power unit.

Its boxy and robust styling remains, although the rougher edges have been smoothed out and this Sport version offers various cosmetic changes.

Including splashes of colour, aluminium pedals, sport upholstery with coloured stitching and  flashes, smart 18-inch alloy wheels, and body-colour folding side mirrors with integrated turn signals.

It features red (some say orange, but it looks red to me) flashes, contrasting with the blue colour on this model, below the doors, roof bars, grille and to the rear and yes, it does give it a more sporty profile. 

The theme continues inside with red trim to the steering wheel  and transmission selector, while the sports seats add the red (or orange) stitching.

Sport also features steering wheel paddle shifters, and there are upgraded LED lights.

The driver’s seat is electrically operated and provides a commanding view through spacious glass areas, creating a comfortable atmosphere.

So cosmetic changes really and yes an aesthetic improvement, but the Forester is more about practicality, its off-road capability and offering something more traditional.

The interior remains functional, slightly dated, but for many, including me, that works. Fancy Dan touch screens with haptic buttons and sometimes distracting graphics deliver a hi-tech feel, but the solid, non-nonsense rotary dials and stalks are still favoured by Subaru drivers.

But there are still enough hi-tech gizmos, with  a central eight inch display controlling major functions like infotainment, navigation and smartphone connectivity, plus a 6.3-inch real time driver display.

There’s a wealth of standard features, including  the usual electrical aids a high-quality sound system, a reversing camera, and a standard full-length sunroof. 

The large, very large, stowage area, accessible via a powered tailgate, and becomes cavernous The 60/40-split folding seats can be laid flat.

Its off-road capability has few peers and while it’s not always put to the test in extreme conditions, it is well-suited for tasks like towing a horse box through muddy fields or working on a farm or giving extra grip and  stability in poor weather conditions

The e-Boxer hybrid setup has improved, (slightly) fuel efficiency although it is still quite thirsty for hybrid. This system pairs a compact electric motor with a two-litre e-Boxer petrol engine, functioning like a conventional hybrid with automatic assistance from the electric motor when needed.

Sport does not apply to performance, with the vehicle offers a decent driving experience, but a relatively sedate 0-60 mph time of just under 12 seconds. However, once reaching speed, it provides a comfortable ride, offering decent stability for its type, with only minimal body roll during corners.

Loaded with safety features, it includes the firm’s Eyesight technology, which, as the name suggests, acts as an additional set of ‘eyes’—or cameras—that monitor the road ahead for potential hazards, including other cars, motorbikes, bicycles, or pedestrians. While it may not be the most sophisticated vehicle available, this simplicity might be its main appeal to loyal customers. Coupled with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty, it presents a compelling package.

Factfile 

Subaru Forester e-Boxer 2.0i Sport AWD

  • Price: £40,195
  • Mechanical: 147bhp, 1,998cc, four cylinder petrol engine and electric motor driving all wheels via CVT gearbox.
  • Max speed: 118mph
  • 0-62mph: 11.8 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 34.7
  • Insurance group: 23E
  • CO2 emissions: 185g/km
  • BIK rating: 37%
  • Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles