Hyundai Ioniq 5 review, road test

The Ioniq 5 is a large car and it hauls a heavy 72.6kWh battery pack, hence it weighs a shade over two tonnes (2,015kg). As a result, its 217hp and 350Nm seem just about adequate. It’s not neck-snapping quick as many EVs are, but you certainly won’t feel a dearth of performance, thanks to the instant electric torque on demand that comes in nice and smooth. Besides, it’s as quick as many ICE engine cars at this price point and will hit 100kph from a standstill in just 7.74 seconds, and even reach a top speed of 190kph. To put its numbers into perspective, the 190hp Mercedes GLA 220d 4matic accelerates from 0-100kph in 8.63 seconds, and because the Ioniq 5 delivers all its torque instantly, with no gears to deal with, it’ll even out drag the Mercedes in a rolling race from 20-80kph and 40-100kph by 0.59 and 1.25 seconds, respectively. 

There are drive modes too, which adjust part-throttle responses, dulling the acceleration in Eco and sharpening it in Sport. However, with your foot pinned to the floor, the Ioniq 5 accelerates similarly in all three modes. There are paddle shifters too via which you can adjust the level of regenerative braking, and like the Kona, it is possible to tug the left paddle and bring the Ioniq 5 to a complete halt without pressing the brake pedal. Speaking of which, equally noteworthy is the brake pedal feel that quite seamlessly integrates the regenerative function as well as the mechanical braking, thus feeling very natural and progressive.