2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 consumer reviews

I traded a 2016 Mercedes GLC for an Ioniq 5 AWD Limited version after looking at a 2023 Mercedes EQB and an Audi Q4 E-tron, and the Hyundai is the Merc's equal in refinement, a slight step up from the Audi, and a substantial upgrade in terms of the user interface. It's loaded with convenience, safety, and EV-related technology, and the user interface is straightforward and easy to navigate, considering the wide range of functions that you can control. On the convenience side, it has the usual features fond in "entry-level luxury" cars, like heated seats and a heated steering wheel. It has various buttons for climate control and the radio, both of which are more user-friendly and safer than having to mess with a touch screen while you're driving. The voice recognition works well. The adaptive cruise control is effective and operates smoothly. The safety features cover pretty much everything that's currently available, along with a superb backup camera that has both a backup and overhead view. On the EV side, it has a heat pump to extract heat from the air and use it for heating the cabin, even in very cold weather. That improves winter range, which is about 210 miles at 30F and should be almost 300 at 70F. If you select a charging station in the navigation app 20-30 miles from reaching it, the car can preheat the battery so that it's able to recharge more efficiently. If you''re charging at home, you can set it to start and stop at specific. times to take advantage of off-peak rates, of they're offered by your electric utility. The day I took delivery, I drove in 30F weather from central New Jersey to Boston and need to recharge once, and because the car can accept rapid charging at a Level 3 (DC) charging station, it took only 25 minutes. Minor negatives; It lacks a rear window wiper, which is weird for a CUV or SUV, but it's not as much of a problem as I expected. The stock wiper blades on the windshield wipers are terrible; replace them immediately with Bosch Icon 26/18 wiper blades and you'll be a lot happier. Driving in winter weather with road spray, you may need to wipe off the rear camera once in a while. Apple Car Play requires a cable connection -- it's not wireless, and that too is odd. This car is a like a laptop on wheels - more Apple MacBook than Windows. Watch a couple of Hyundai videos on their website and take the time to set the car up the way you want (door lock options, mirror options, etc.) and make it your own.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a revelation. I've been in the market for an EV for years and, until recently, my options were limited. I'm glad I waited. Driving this car is the difference between bouncing along a rutted road in an old pickup truck and confidently powering through curves in an Formula One car. It's even better than that because I'm neither burning nor paying for fossil fuels. After years of thinking of a vehicle as a purely utilitarian means of getting from point A to point B, the IONIQ 5 makes me want to drive again. With a good Level 2charger (I have a ChargePoint Home Flex) and two (or three) years of free DC fast charging, fuel costs are no longer a barrier. Driving has become a joy again and I find myself not only gleefully planning my next road trip, but also looking for any opportunity to get behind the wheel (even if it's just to take the previously-loathed trek to the grocery store). Is the car perfect? Of course not. But you get what you pay for and, for the price, you get instant torque, technology that's right out of sci-fi and a vehicle that turns heads wherever I go. In my opinion, the most basic EV is light years ahead of the best gas car and the IONIQ 5 is way beyond basic.

There are a few quirky things that should be improved. First, I have the headlights go on automatically, but if you want the highbeams to go on and off automatcally, you must turn it on everytime you start the car. The lane assist feature which automatically recenters you in the lane must be activated everytime you start the vehicle. There are 2 buttons that are programmable. One on the steering wheel and one on the console. Unfortunately there are only a few commands that you can select from for each button instead of allowing you to select any command. The relaxation seat position needs to elevate the footrest a little more and recline the seat a little more. In addition, when you exit the relaxation position it does not automatically resume your last seat position. The button to open and close the moonroof is backwards. Meaning, when you slide the button in the direction that you think would open the moonroof actually closes it and visa versa. There is no button to open the charging port from within the vehicle. The park assist, which allows you to pull the car in and out of a tight spot while you are outside of the vehicle takes too long to activate and is a little quirky. The small FRUNK is extremely small. I am only able to store the 110 volt charger that came with car and a small book. The android auto and apple car play are NOT wireless and require the phone to be plugged into the USB port. Otherwise, the ride is very smooth and is very quick in the sport mode.