Key Points
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers an excellent price for its range and available technology.
- With up to 303 miles of range, you should have no trouble with a weekly commute.
- The looks of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are unlike anything else in the EV space.
- One of the greatest benefits of Ioniq 5 ownership is its fast DC charging from 10-100% in 18 minutes.
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, its highest award.
- Two 12.3-inch dual touchscreens have helped bring the Hyundai Ioniq 5 into the conversation about the best technology interface.
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers a best-in-class warranty for its buyers.
- The inclusion of regenerative braking is a great way to maximize range.
- As the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has only had one recall, it shows how reliable the vehicle will be over time.
Ever since its release in May 2021, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has quickly become an EV sensation. Thanks to its unique design, the Ioniq 5 has started to carve out its own little niche in the world, having sold over 28,800 vehicles since its release.
While these are not Tesla Model 3 sales numbers, Hyundai has already won multiple awards for the Ioniq 5 and that will help build up more demand as 2023 wears on. Between its power, technology, range, and overall design of the vehicle, Hyundai is right to believe the Ioniq 5 continues to show lots of promise.
Let’s take a look at the 10 reasons why you should buy a Hyundai Ioniq 5 in 2023.
Quick Facts: Hyundai Ioniq 5
| Date of Release | May 2021 |
| Starting Cost | $41,450 |
| Range | 220-303 miles |
| 0-60 Speed | 5.2 seconds (dependent on model) |
| Charging Speed | 10-80% in 15 minutes, under 7 hours on a 240V charger |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Cargo Space | 27.2 cubic feet |
| Self-Driving | Level 2 autonomous driving in mid and higher trim levels |
| Warranty | 10-year 100,000-mile warranty |
| Awards | 2022 World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and World Car Design of the Year |
Competitive Pricing
With a starting price right at $41,450 (as of June 2023), there is no doubt the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is looking to remain competitive in the EV market. At this price, it’s already one of the least expensive electric SUVs available today, including a lower starting price tag than the Tesla Model Y. At the $41,450 price, buyers can get the SE Standard Trim model, while a jump up in price to $52,600 will get you the most expensive Limited trim level.
Comparatively, The Tesla Model Y begins at $47,740, while the Kia EV6, Hyundai’s most direct competitor, starts slightly higher at $42,600. You will not get the Ioniq 5’s max range at the SE Standard Trim level, but you still receive the car’s fast charging, its dual-screen technology setup, and a host of other standard safety features. The lone downside to pricing for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is that it is not eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax incentive. If you overlook this tax benefit, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 still remains an excellent value.
No More Gas
This should go without saying but one of the biggest reasons to purchase any EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5 or otherwise, is not having to worry about gas ever again. As gas costs have been on a price rollercoaster over the last few years for a myriad of reasons, it’s caused plenty of pain at the pump. Having the Hyundai Ioniq 5 in your garage means never having to worry about fluctuating gas prices ever again.
On average, studies showed that by the end of 2022, the cost of filling up a 12-gallon sedan with regular (87) gas was right around $50. Consider that you might be filling up multiple times a month, if not weekly if you are a commuter, and you can quickly see gas costs adding up. Instead, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, you no longer need to quickly stop for gas before work, after work, or even during the middle of the week.
Lots of Range
When you buy an electric car and say goodbye to gas, you want to do so by making sure the EV you are purchasing offers plenty of range. In this area, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 delivers, especially in its higher trim levels. Starting with the SE Standard Range, the entry Ioniq 5 trim only offers approximately 220 miles of total range. However, choosing any of its next three trim levels with the SE, SEL, and Limited will quickly bump you up to 303 total miles of range on a single charge.
If you opt for the all-wheel drive model of the Ioniq 5, instead of the RWD, range numbers do fall off a bit down to a still respectable 256 miles on a single charge. There is little argument these numbers will not beat the Tesla Model Y in an overall battle for the longest range but that’s very much okay for Ioniq 5 buyers. With 303 miles on a single charge, the Ioniq 5 can still drive you around town, help you commute five days a week to an office, and still have enough juice for a weekend getaway.
Futuristic Looks
For better or worse, if you have seen one gas-powered SUV on the road today, you have seen them all. Because of this, Hyundai’s design team took a different approach with the Ioniq 5 and took a chance by creating a design that looks different enough to be instantly recognizable. Among the results of the Ioniq 5’s unique design are the pixelated LED headlights and taillights, which is really something no other car can say it’s doing right now. Even the bold rim choice for the wheels stands out for its unique approach and takes the monotony of today’s boring SUV design and turns it on its head.
Even something as simple as auto-retracting door handles that sit flush against the body is unlike something many EV or gas-powered car manufacturers are doing today. Hyundai calls the Ioniq 5 design a “parametric pixel” that offers sharp lines with sophisticated looks and there is no question they created a vehicle that truly stands out.
Fast Charging
One of the biggest hurdles for potential EV buyers is the concern over how long an EV will take to charge, especially on a road trip. Charging overnight on a Level 2 charger is less of a concern because the car is unlikely to be used, but that isn’t the case during the daytime. Under optimal conditions at a DC Fast Charging station anywhere in the United States or around the world, the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10-80 percent in just 18 minutes.
Of course, these range numbers are weather- and condition-dependent, but under ideal circumstances, this is among the fastest charging times currently available for any EV at any price range. Best of all, these numbers apply to all four trim levels of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 so it’s not just one trim that can take advantage of these charging numbers.
©hendra yuwana/Shutterstock.com
Safety
Hyundai has long been at the forefront of safety and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is no different. A 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the Ioniq 5 is a recipient of the highest award the IIHS can award, which is definitely a badge of honor for a new vehicle. To earn this badge, Hyundai put driver safety at the top of its priority list with things like Level 2 autonomous driving. Instead of trying something like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving, the Hyundai helps you control speed and distance from vehicles around you, especially when making a lane change.
The Hyundai is also fully loaded at all trim levels with seven airbags, including a driver’s seat center-side airbag to prevent the driver and passenger from colliding. Additionally, SmartSense technology detects if a driver is getting drowsy and plays a loud sound to get your attention. Last but not least is the inclusion of a bevy of standard features like lane-keep assist, blind spot detection, and complete surround view monitoring when parking.
Technology
There is little argument across the EV industry that Hyundai made a giant leap into the future as it redesigned the interior of its vehicles for the Ioniq 5 release. Gone are the days of buttons, buttons, and more buttons. Replacing these buttons are two 12.3-inch touchscreens, which include one screen dedicated to the driver with the other being the focal point of the Ioniq 5’s infotainment system.
Standard features like voice recognition are included, as are other features that should be standard like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The sharp resolution across both of these screens pairs nicely with their responsiveness to touch, which makes them a joy to use. Of course, these screens are more than just entertainment as they provide the driver with information on available range, battery life, and blind-spot video feed. Built-in navigation is another easy bonus for many buyers, while a Quiet Mode is likely to be favored by parents as it turns down the rear set volume so as not to be a distraction for sleeping children.
Warranty
Hyundai has long set the automobile industry standard for warranty coverage with its 10-year warranty, which is the best in the EV space. With the Tesla Model Y, you get a four-year, 50,000-mile basic warranty, but with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, you get a 5-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle warranty. On top of that, Hyundai offers a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty plus a five-year, unlimited-mile 24/7 roadside assistance program.
Best of all, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes equipped with a 10-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty on all of its hybrid and EV models. Compared to EV models from Toyota, Chevrolet, Nissan, and more, Hyundai is hands-down the victor in the battle for the best warranty.
Regenerative Braking Adjustments
Another standout feature of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is its regenerative braking system, which can help extend range. Where this technology stands out most for the Ioniq 5 is by giving the driver four different levels of regenerative braking to choose from. At the highest range, Level 3, removing your foot off the gas/accelerator results in the Ioniq 5 automatically decelerating and the brake lights activating to alert other drivers.
Switching to Level 2 or Level 1 regenerative braking and the amount of deceleration diminishes slightly each time. At these levels, you can still leave your foot off the brake for a moment and the vehicle will still begin to slow without any prompting from the driver. At Level 0, there is no deceleration when taking your foot off the accelerator, and therefore no benefits overall. Should a driver opt to stay at Level 3, the Ioniq 5 will store energy not being used for manual braking and use this stored energy to help maximize available range.
Limited Reliability Issues
As popular as the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y are in the EV space, there is plenty of reason to question the quality of Tesla vehicles as they roll off the manufacturing line. It takes no time at all to find someone on a Tesla forum, Reddit, or elsewhere on social media who has a misaligned door, mismatched paint colors, a non-working windshield wiper, or some other quality control issue. Consumer Reports has even awarded the Tesla Model Y with the lowest possible reliability score in 2022 with more than seven recalls.
The opposite is true with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 as it meets Hyundai’s high standards for production and has so far seen limited customer complaints. In 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 only had one vehicle recall by the NHTSA due to a software error, which was quickly remedied. None of this is to say the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be problem-free throughout its life, but when compared to other EVs on the road, it’s already well ahead of the game as far as reliability.
Wrapping Up
Across the 10 reasons listed above, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has easily proven itself to be an electric SUV well worth considering. No matter if you are a seasoned EV buyer already or just looking to get into the space and say goodbye to your gas-guzzler forever, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is ready for all newcomers. The vehicle’s combination of great pricing, long-range, solid reliability, and outstanding technology all help make it a truly fun EV to drive.
| 10 Reasons to Buy a Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
|---|
| 1. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers an excellent price for its range and available technology. |
| 2. You can say goodbye to gas forever as you don’t need to worry about gas pumps ever again. |
| 3. With up to 303 miles of range, you should have no trouble with a weekly commute. |
| 4. The looks of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are unlike anything else in the EV space. |
| 5. One of the greatest benefits of Ioniq 5 ownership is its fast DC charging from 10-100% in 18 minutes. |
| 6. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, its highest award. |
| 7. Two 12.3-inch dual touchscreens have helped bring the Hyundai Ioniq 5 into the conversation about the best technology interface. |
| 8. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers a best-in-class warranty for its buyers. |
| 9. The inclusion of regenerative braking is a great way to maximize range. |
| 10. As the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has only had one recall, it shows how reliable the vehicle will be over time. |
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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mike Mareen/Shutterstock.com.
