Flash Drive: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

All-New, All-Electric Compact SUV

The next few years will see an onrush of electric vehicles, with the SUV class getting the majority of the new models. Having already established a strong reputation with its Kona SUV and Ioniq sedan EVs, next up is the all-new and impressive 2022 Ioniq 5 EV, arriving at Hyundai dealers later this month (December 2021).

Suggestion: If you are at all interested, reserve one now. Clean Fleet Report had the opportunity to drive the Ioniq 5 for a few hours at a Hyundai media event. This Flash Drive review will hit the high points from that day, and will be followed-up in the next few months with a full Road Test.

Exterior Statement: Parametric Design

The 2022 Ioniq 5 looks like no other all-electric compact SUV—or like any of the generic crossovers on the market—staying away from sharp edges or clunky nose scoops and grilles. Those features are non-existent on the Ioniq 5, making for a sleek and contemporary design that respects the tastes of owners looking to break away from the herd.

Incorporating parametric design theories, where there is a relationship between design intent and design response, there are minimal front and rear overhangs. The seamless clamshell hood has a clean look, closing to a mere slit where the rectangular LED lights peek out from the far edges of the curved nose. It is so refreshing to see designers forego angular front ends and give us the Ioniq 5 with a futuristic look. Very space-agey.

The sides reveal crisp lines that almost look like an origami. The triangle on the doors begins at the A-pillar, in a crease hits mid-tire and culminates at the 45-degree angle C-pillar; the LED tail lights replicate the rectangular design of the headlights. The large, bold 20-inch wheels make a serious statement of strength, which Hyundai says are a “parametric pixel design (that is) visually interesting and aerodynamically efficient.”

The distinctive rear end features a horizontal band connecting the LED tail lights with a small square pattern and a dominant I-O-N-I-Q-5. The power hands-free lift gate is sleek and smooth, but being without a wiper the window could be visually challenging when things get sloppy.

The 2022 Ioniq 5 comes in three trim levels–SE, SEL and Limited–and six exterior colors: Atlas White, Cyber Grey Metallic, Phantom Black Pearl, Digital Teal Pearl, Lucid Blue Pearl and Shooting Star Gray Matte.

Clean Fleet Report drove the highly optioned Limited, painted in Atlas White with body color flush automatic door handles, power-heated exterior mirrors, silver-painted front and rear fascias and a narrow black strip that encompasses the headlights. The privacy, solar and laminated acoustic glass and the panoramic fixed-glass solar sunroof completed the sleek look.

Modern, Spartan Interior

The 2022 Ioniq 5 is built on Hyundai’s all-new dedicated EV-only platform, which will see service on future EVs from Hyundai, plus on models from sibling brands Kia and Genesis. With a wheelbase four inches longer than the Hyundai Palisade, the Ioniq 5 has a completely flat floor and provides ample leg, shoulder and head room for all five occupants. Hyundai calls this the Smart Living Room concept. A traditional center console has been reimagined as a moveable smaller console, or Universal Island, that incorporates cup holders and charge ports. The flat floor allows the diminutive console to slide 5.5-inches, so in its most rearward position front occupants can slide across the seats to exit the vehicle from either side. If you ever get pinned in a parking lot by an inconsiderate driver, this feature would come in handy. Interior color options are Obsidian Black Monotone, two-tone Dark Pebble Gray/Dove Gray, and Dark Teal/Dove Gray.

The interior has a sustainability theme where the seats, headliner, door panels and flooring are made from eco-friendly, sustainably sourced materials such as recycled plastic and plant-based or natural wool yarns. In the top Limited trim level we drove, the front seats were covered in Leatherette (an artificial leather material) and were eight-way power adjustable, heated and ventilated. The driver got memory while both front seats had power lumbar. To set a relaxing mood, the 64-color ambient lighting was soothing.

Wide second row access led to the comfortable rear seats that offered ample head and leg room. The split 60/40 rear bench seat slides and reclines, producing 59.3-inches of cargo space when fold-down. With no engine up front there is a front trunk (frunk) for stashing small items.

The low slung dash has dual 12.3-inch horizontal color screens that are standard on all trim levels, one for the digital instruments and the other for the infotainment system. In the Limited, sounds came from an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system with AM/FM/SiriusXM, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth connection for up-to two devices, and USB power and data ports complete the audio system.

The color head-up display included augmented reality where the driver can opt-to project relevant information, such as turn-by-turn navigation, and advanced safety alerts of the Ioniq 5’s surroundings.

The Hyundai Blue Link app provides access to vehicle systems including remote start and remote charging, and the Digital Key provides extra convenience and safety. The Homelink auto-dimming rear view mirror is an integrated transceiver (a transmitter and receiver) that can be programmed to activate radio frequency (RF) devices such as garage doors, estate/community gates, entry door locks, home/office lighting, security systems or other RF devices.

Effortless Efficiency

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes in two single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) models or one two-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) set-up. 

RWD Standard Range

220 miles driving range

58 kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion polymer battery

Single electric motor

168 horsepower (hp)

Electronically controlled top speed: 115 mph

RWD/AWD

256/303 miles of driving range

72.6 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery

Single/Dual electric motors

225/320 hp

258/446 lb.-ft. of torque

Electronically controlled top speed: 115 mph

Charging

The Ioniq 5’s 10.9 kW onboard charger can charge at 400 volts, but can also go up-to 800 volts, or 350 kW. This 800-volt technology is currently only shared by the Porsche Taycan, but will soon be available on many EVs. But hold on, there is more technology coming to electric vehicles with 1,200-volt charging capability, which is just now being introduced by the Chinese auto manufacturer BYD.

The Ioinq 5 can be trickle charged with a 120V common wall plug, but expect replenish times to be long and slow. The best bet for owners will be to install a Level 2 240V home charger that will take the battery from 10-percent to 100-percent charge in 6.43 hours. When in a time crunch, you can add 68 miles of driving range in 18 minutes. To help facilitate home charging a new program called Hyundai Home, available in early 2022, will offer one source to assist in installing a home charger, solar panels and an energy storage system.

For the fastest charging, find a Level 3 DC Fast Charger through Electrify America. From the date of purchasing an Ioniq 5, you will receive unlimited 30-minute charging sessions for two years at any of EA’s 700 stations.

For even more convenience, the Ioniq 5 has Vehicle-to-Load, or V2L, where power can flow out of the battery and charge e-bikes, camping and outdoor equipment, run your office while traveling and even be an electricity source during a power outage.

Out on the Road

Clean Fleet Report had a few hours in the 2022 Ioniq 5 on a wet day, leaving downtown San Diego, climbing to 4,226-feet going to Julian, an 1850s silver mining town now known for its apples. After a quick lunch, we headed back to sea level in San Diego’s Gaslamp District on a round trip that gave a very good first impression of the Ioniq 5’s driving attributes.

We learned this compact SUV is quick off the line, and fast enough to get up to freeway speeds in a matter of seconds. While it is not designed nor marketed as a performance EV, it easily will handle all daily driving needs with 0-60 times around five seconds. The handling on the all-wheel drive model we drove planted the Ioniq 5 solidly as we climbed and descended curvy, wet mountain roads. There was a confident feel when cornering, with minor body roll when taking the most aggressive corners.

The Ioniq 5 has standard ABS and power-assisted ventilated front and rear solid discs. Handling and driving confidence was also aided by the standard electronic stability control, electronic brake-pressure distribution and brake assist. Regenerative braking uses the motors not the brakes to slow the car and recharges the battery when slowing or coasting, converting kinetic energy into electric energy, which is stored in the battery. The degree of regenerative braking can be controlled by steering wheel paddles.

When Clean Fleet Report has the Ioniq 5 for a week or more, we will post a detailed report on its efficiency, driving range, handling and performance.

Safety

The Ioiniq 5 comes with an extensive list of standard safety features beginning with six airbags: front, side impact and side air curtain with rollover sensors. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety tech is robust with Advance Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, forward collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic avoidance assist. Click the above link to learn about the company’s safety suite. Other safety features are hill start assist, surround and blind view monitor with parking sensors, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Pricing

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes in three trim levels, rear- or all-wheel drive. These base prices include the $1,225 freight charge.

Rear-Wheel Drive

• SE Standard Range     $40,925
• SE                                   $44,875
• SEL                                $47,125
• Limited                         $51,825

All-Wheel Drive

• SE                                 $48,375
• SEL                              $50,625
• Limited                       $55,725

Observations: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the first of a full line-up of Hyundai electric vehicles, to be followed with the Ioniq 6 midsize sedan and the Ioniq 7 large SUV. The Ioniq 5 is priced below its current key competitors–the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Tesla Model Y–but a bit more than the smaller Chevrolet Bolt. The Ioniq 5 qualifies for the federal $7,500 electric vehicle tax credit as does the Mustang Mach-E. Tesla and Chevrolet no longer qualify for the EV rebate because of their cumulative sales. Check with your tax consultant for how the federal and any state EV programs may affect your final price.

Contact your local Hyundai dealer and see when they will have a 2022 Ioniq 5 available for a test drive. We are confident you will like the experience.

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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Hyundai.

More on the Ioniq 5’s Siblings

News: Genesis Reveals GV60

News: Two EV Introduction Paths from Hyundai-Kia

Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.