Technically, the Ioniq 5 is one of the most interesting innovations for 2021. The high voltage brings more speed when charging and puts the competition under pressure.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the new benchmark in charging electric cars, at least in its class. The battery voltage is designed for 800 volts, which is twice as high as is usual in this segment. It is the first electric car to be based on the South Korean company’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). The result of the voltage increase: The maximum power when charging is 220 kW. With the competitor VW ID.4 it is currently 125 kW at best.
Ten to 80 in 18 minutes
Even more impressive is the time of 18 minutes that Hyundai promised to charge from ten to 80 percent. For the larger battery with 72.6 kWh this means an average charging power of 169 kW and for the smaller one with 58 kWh of 135 kW. Values that are otherwise only achieved by the Porsche Taycan , which, however, belongs to a different price and vehicle class. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be delivered from May 2021 in the “Project 45” package limited to 3000 pieces for 59,550 euros. The starting price is 41,900 euros. The funding is not taken into account. For this course there is a smaller battery with rear-wheel drive, a three-phase AC charger with an output of eleven kW and a number of assistance systems from adaptive cruise control to navigation.
The Ioniq 5 is considerably larger than the proportions might suggest. With a length of 4.64 meters, it towers over the VW ID.4 by six centimeters. Because the rear of the Ioniq 5 is sloping, the direct competitor is actually the VW ID.5, which will not be presented until the third quarter of 2021. The width of the Hyundai CUV is 1.89 meters and the height 1.61 meters. What makes the Ioniq 5 look like a compact car is the huge wheelbase of three meters. For comparison: The VW ID.4 is 2.77 meters. The body overhangs of the Hyundai appear correspondingly short, and the rear seat can be moved.
Two battery sizes, rear or all-wheel drive
The two battery sizes mentioned at the beginning of 58 and 72.6 kWh – given as a net value at Hyundai – are each available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. So there are four variants, which in turn can be combined with various equipment packages.
| Energy content of the battery in kWh | 58 | 72.6 | 58 | 72.6 |
| Rear engine power in kW | 125 | 160 | 120 | 155 |
| Front engine power in kW | – | – | 53 | 70 |
| Torque in Nm | 350 | 605 | ||
| Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h | 8.5 | 7.4 | 6.1 | 5.2 |
| Maximum speed in km / h | 185 | |||
Hyundai has not yet given any indication of the ranges because the homologation has not yet been completed. However, according to the WLTP, clearly more than 400 km for the small and more than 500 km for the large battery can be assumed.
1.6 tons trailer load
There is also no information on weight. It should start at an estimated two tons. The Ioniq 5 can therefore not be a saver when it comes to electricity consumption like the Ioniq. Size and weight will take their toll. Good on the other hand: Hyundai is assuming a trailer load of around 1.6 tons (VW ID.4: 1 ton); the final value will be published after the homologation. A volume of 540 liters (ID.4: 543 liters) is specified for the trunk, and there is a small frunk at the front.
Visually, the Ioniq 5 quotes the Hyundai Pony from the 1970s. Like it or not. It is noticeable that Hyundai does not follow a uniform design language for electric cars. In any case, the Ioniq 5 appeals to those interested first who are enthusiastic about technical content.
V2L outputs and solar roof
Hyundai offers them even more. The right rear charging socket on all Ioniq 5s can be converted into an external 220-volt socket. Even the output is like at home: 3.5 kW are output in one phase. Hyundai calls this feature V2L, Vehicle to Load. A kind of driving super power bank. It is not yet clear whether the second 220-volt socket with 3.5 kW in the interior will be standard or optional. V2L is available from a battery charge level of 15 percent and up.
Both the traction and the on-board network battery can be charged via a solar roof for an additional charge of 1290 euros. The power of the panel is 205 watts. So, depending on the parking space, it will take a very, very long time for it to pay off financially, if at all. But that’s probably not what the customer is interested in – it’s just nice to see when the battery fills up, albeit very slowly, while standing around.
Head-up display all over the windshield
In addition to the aforementioned sliding back seat, the Hyundai Ioniq has 5 electrically adjustable seats in the front. The driver looks at two 12.5-inch displays. There is also a head-up display that uses the entire windshield as a projection surface. The usual armada of assistance systems is of course also available. A route planner is standard and (at least) the radio navigation system can get an update over the air (OTA). Hyundai Germany has yet to determine whether the heat pump will be standard in all models. Production of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will start in the first quarter of 2021. Including shipping to Germany, the delivery of the starter version “Project 45” can be assumed in May and the other models in July.
Competition under pressure to act
With the E-GMP, Hyundai is raising the bar a little higher for electric cars. The competition will follow suit and also have to build on 800 volts. And because that doesn’t happen overnight, the Ioniq 5 has a medium-term lead on the charging station. For customers for whom the CUV is too big, too expensive and too inefficient, the economical Ioniq (test) and the smaller Kona (test) remain . But they look somehow old – just like the direct competitors of the Ioniq 5. The power outlets (V2L) and the solar roof also make the technology fun. And those who are bothered by the shape will soon get an alternative on the same basis from Kia.
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