Hyundai Ioniq 5 review, road test

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is built on Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is a dedicated EV platform that also underpins the Kia EV6. It’s essentially a skateboard and accommodates the 72.6kWh battery low down, beneath the cabin floor, making it extremely space efficient, resulting in a flat cabin floor and no transmission tunnel to speak of.

Its wheels are stretched to the extreme corners of the vehicle, and it also boasts a luxury sedan-rivalling 3m-long wheelbase. And measuring 4,635mm, 1,890mm and 1,625mm in length, width and height, respectively, the Ioniq 5 is similar in size to a Mercedes-Benz GLC. Commendably, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has secured a full 5-star score in Euro NCAP crash tests in 2021.

The Ioniq 5 draws inspiration from the Pony, Hyundai’s first mass-market passenger car, hence, in profile, this EV looks like a large hatchback. But in line with the current trends, it gets its fair share of crossover treatment with contrasting grey body cladding, large 20-inch wheels and a raised ride height.

Its styling is a unique mix of retro and futuristic design cues. What stand out are its ‘parametric pixel lights’, which are intricately detailed LED headlamps and tail-lamps with a cube-like theme. The bodywork features tasteful detailing and chiselled lines that add a lot of character, and the thick sloping C-pillars are reminiscent of the Pony’s.