Hyundai Ioniq5: Price, range, killer charging speed and more

Hyundai Ioniq5: Price, range, killer charging speed and more

Unlike other automakers' EVs, Hyundai has gone all-in on the technology, and the Ioniq 5 almost rivals the Tesla Model 3. This fully electric mid-size crossover SUV (CSUV) is loaded with exciting new features and promises to be the best electric vehicle ever made.

These include ultra-fast charging with an 800V battery, a solar panel-ready roof, and the ability to charge smartphones and other electric vehicles. Plus, it looks great. Here's everything you need to know about the Hyundai Ioniq 5, including pricing, specs, range, charging technology, and solar roof options.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5's release date varies by country. It is already available in the UK, but in the U.S. it has yet to materialize, despite a soft release scheduled for fall 2021. [California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona States; a more widespread rollout is planned for 2022.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but we do know that the special edition "Project 45" Ioniq 5 will cost 45,000 pounds (about $63,000). However, the Project 45 will likely be the most expensive model in the series, with entry-level vehicles expected to be much cheaper.

Pricing in the U.S. has yet to be determined, but should start at around $45,000, according to estimates by Car and Driver

At first glance, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks more like a concept than an actual road-going production car, but it will be introduced at the 2019 45 EV concept form when it was first spotted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The angular body sits atop Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), with the E-GMP stretched to provide a 118.1-inch wheelbase.

Since then, however, it has had some design tweaks, but it has retained its eye-catching angular shape, perhaps reminiscent of Hyundai's first production car, the 1974 Pony.

But don't worry if that early model passes you by, because the Ioniq 5 is quite a looker in its own right, thanks to its massive 20-inch wheels, clamshell hood, and pixelated front and rear lights.

Despite its compact appearance, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is actually quite spacious thanks to its 118-inch wheelbase. Trunk space is also surprisingly large, with either 531 or 1,600 liters depending on the seat arrangement.

Speaking of which, to further increase space, the front seats are 30% thinner than the standard Hyundai ones.

In addition, the center console can also slide, this time up to 5.5 inches. This has the dual effect of allowing rear occupants to access the unit's storage, USB ports, and wireless charging pad, or allowing front occupants to leave the other side of the car.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is loaded with smart technology. This option covers most of the top of the car with solar panels, which can charge the Ioniq 5's battery while driving to extend its range.

The panels alone cannot fully charge the battery, but Hyundai says they can add 2,000 km per year of driving range in sunny conditions.

The additional cost of the solar roof is not yet known, but it will not be cheap.

The Ioniq 5 comes in two models, each with different ranges. Hyundai is targeting 300 miles in RWD and 269 miles in the more powerful AWD. This is quite good, although Tesla and others have yet to beat Hyundai.

The really good news is that both models are equipped with 800V technology that allows for ultra-fast charging from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, as long as they are connected to a 350 kW charger. Such 800 V cabling was previously only found in high-end sports cars such as the Porsche Taycan.

Also, while 350 kW chargers are still not that common, a 50 kW charger can charge a car from 10% to 80% in an hour.

The Ioniq 5 can also charge other electric vehicles. As long as the Ioniq's battery has at least 15% remaining, it can be connected to other vehicles for charging. It will automatically stop when its own remaining battery charge falls below 15%, so there is no need to worry about getting stranded too far away from home.

Admittedly, this car-to-car charging is not speedy. The charging rate is only 3.6 kWh, which is about the same speed as a regular household outlet. However, it is definitely useful in an emergency.

In fact, the Hyundai Ionic 5's battery can be used to charge any electrical device, making it useful for charging electric bicycles, laptops, and smartphones. It can also be used to bring power back to the grid, if supported by the electricity supplier. By taking the charge out of the car when electricity rates are high and recharging it when they drop, one can save on electricity costs.

Such high-tech does not stop outside the car. Inside the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the dashboard features two 12.25-inch screens, plus a heads-up display (HUD) that displays important information on the windshield, including current speed, speed limits, and directions.

The Ioniq 5 also features the latest version of Hyundai's Bluelink connected car service, which includes extensive voice recognition options, in addition to the ability to change climate controls and display charging station information via a smartphone.

In addition to two battery sizes, the Ioniq 5 will be available with two different drivetrains, AWD (all-wheel drive) and RWD (rear-wheel drive), for a total of four versions.

The most powerful is the dual-motor all-wheel drive model with a combined output of 302 bhp, 0-62 mph acceleration in 5.2 seconds, and a top speed of 115 mph; the slowest version is the 58 kWh, 167 bhp rear-wheel drive model, which is no faster at 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds.

We expect to get more details on the Hyundai Ionic 5, including full pricing details, in the coming months. If you're looking for the best electric car you can buy right now, check out our list of the best electric cars you can buy right now.

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