GOAUTO lately reviewed the Hyundai IONIQ 5 – an all-electric mannequin that was launched on these shores within the latter half of 2021. Whereas our hardened highway testers noticed via the PR spin – to not point out the overwhelming novelty of this funky new EV – and reduce shortly to the core of the futuristic five-door hatch, we had been curious to know: Would our readers do the identical?
Which received us to pondering: what if we grabbed 4 readers – who match the EV-buying demographic – and received them to pattern the automobile? It’s a good way to get a recent viewpoint on an rising know-how, in addition to an unscripted opinion on the professionals and cons of Hyundai’s newest.
Earlier than we begin, we must always level out that hyperlinks to our full 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Evaluation can be found on the backside on this web page, together with full pricing and specification data.
Our “plainclothes journos” all drive late-model vehicles within the $35,000 to $70,000 vary and work in quite a lot of skilled occupations. All are primarily based within the suburbs of Melbourne and are aged between 35 and 55 years. Every is sort of on the finish of lease with their present novated automobile and trying to improve throughout the subsequent 12 months.
Most of them say they haven’t thought of shopping for an electrical automobile… at the least till now.
Dylan, 51 – Gross sales Supervisor
What do you drive at present?
I’m at present driving a 2019 Peugeot 308 GT Line.
What do you want about it?
I just like the construct high quality, the quietness of the automobile on the highway and the gas economic system. It’s a three-cylinder turbo-petrol, and whether or not it’s commuting or taking longer journeys, I’m impressed with how environment friendly it’s. It’s additionally a stunning automobile to drive and fairly punchy. It’s simply very refined for a small hatch.
When will you seemingly change your present automobile?
It is a firm automobile and, usually, I alter vehicles each three years. So, it’s nearly time for this one to go, sadly.
Would you take into account changing your present automobile with an electrical automobile?
I’d by no means actually thought of it earlier than, to be sincere. I don’t actually know sufficient about them, and from what I do know, they’re costly to buy in contrast with an equal petrol automobile. I suppose, if I had the cash, I might. However given the worth, it in all probability received’t be this time round.
What did you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
It’s simple to drive and the screens and the graphics are easy and straightforward to grasp. It’s only a gem, actually. It’s quieter than a petrol-powered automobile and I believe, in quite a lot of methods, and for me as a commuter, it simply makes extra sense.
The know-how is way superior to my automobile – particularly the adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping programs – and really efficient; I really feel comfy adjusting to and utilizing all the pieces, even after only one drive. I additionally love the styling. It’s a little bit bit futuristic, however not excessive.
What didn’t you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
Nothing, actually. Nicely, perhaps the worth. I might rattle off 100 issues I do like!
I believe perhaps the controls take a little bit getting used to. The steering is gentle, and the brake pedal is a little bit too delicate at first, however you develop accustomed to it fairly shortly. So, I might say that there actually isn’t something I didn’t like concerning the automobile.
Has driving the IONIQ 5 modified your views on electrical autos?
Completely! After driving this I’d don’t have any hesitations or qualms in any respect about shopping for an electrical automobile – if I might afford to, I imply.
Yvette, 54 – Retail Partnership Supervisor
What do you drive at present?
I’m at present in a 2019 Audi Q2 35 TFSI design.
What do you want about it?
Oh, gosh. Every part. I adore it as a result of it’s sufficiently small that I can park it wherever, but it’s received an enormous load bay, which is necessary for my work. It has all of the extras I need, it’s simple to drive, it’s fairly compact… I like the leather-based upholstery and the consolation of the seats.
I additionally like that it’s economical however has sufficient energy for metropolis driving and I believe it’s fairly horny. Type is essential to me.
When will you seemingly change your present automobile?
I used to switch my vehicles each three years, however to be sincere, with all the pieces that’s occurred with Covid-19 and so forth, it has put the brakes on issues a little bit bit. That mentioned, I believe I’ll change it throughout the subsequent two years.
Would you take into account changing your present automobile with an electrical automobile?
If the worth was proper. The vary concerns don’t fear me an excessive amount of as a result of I take advantage of my automobile to commute and go to shoppers, which implies I’m nicely throughout the vary an electrical automobile can present.
I’d additionally in all probability solely must cost the automobile at residence, primarily based on my present driving wants, and that appeals to me too.
What did you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
I beloved the look, the journey consolation and the devices. I particularly just like the vast dashboard display screen and the “ahead pondering” that’s been utilized to the look of all the pieces – in and out. The ventilated seats are nice, as are the 360-degree cameras (for altering lanes and parking).
I believe the extent of energy it provides is excellent, and I received used to the regenerative braking fairly shortly as nicely. The quietness of the automobile can be actually interesting, and, whereas I do know it’s a small factor, I believe the drawer-type glovebox is a superb concept. I like how intelligent the door deal with is – it solely pops out when required – and I actually beloved the styling of the alloy wheels.
The “frunk” is a nifty storage resolution, particularly for these belongings you don’t want on a regular basis.
What didn’t you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
I believe the graphics on the screens regarded a bit bland and boring. What’ extra, I don’t see the purpose of the fastened glass roof. I’d favor a standard sunroof, however that’s simply me, I suppose.
However the greatest difficulty for me is the IONIQ’s worth. It’s a wonderful automobile, however once you mix the worth with the truth that I might doubtlessly additionally must pay to switch my storage at residence, you understand, to energy it up, then that’s a little bit of a sticking level, I believe.
I’d even be eager to study extra about servicing an electrical automobile, and the related prices, earlier than I might make any change.
Has driving the IONIQ 5 modified your views on electrical autos?
Completely, sure. I don’t know why, however I anticipated it to be very plain, and a bit sluggish… don’t ask me why. Nevertheless it’s actually an opulent automobile in some ways, and the styling is gorgeous, for my part.
Sure, I’d completely take into account an electrical automobile after this.
Eddie, 53 – Detective
What do you drive at present?
In the mean time I’m driving a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Restricted.
What do you want about it?
For me, the Grand Cherokee ticks many bins. We prefer to get out and drive fireplace trails on the weekend, get into rougher elements of the nation and go tenting or diving, and so forth. However, on the identical time, it has the creature comforts we respect round city – which is the place 95 per cent of my driving is completed.
It’s additionally a really comfy automobile. I discover it fairly manageable in city driving, but additionally enjoyable and sure-footed on the open highway. For each these causes I believe it’s an excellent choice once you examine it with another autos in its class. It’s one of many causes I’ve saved it for thus lengthy.
When will you seemingly change your present automobile?
I often flip my vehicles over each three or so years. As I mentioned, this one has simply been such a great automobile that I’ve had no actual cause to think about changing it. However, given the mileage on it now, I’d say we’ll in all probability change it throughout the subsequent one or two years.
Would you take into account changing your present automobile with an electrical automobile?
For me, personally, I’m unsure that I might change my automobile with an electrical automobile, primarily as a result of I’m not satisfied that the battery vary is ample for my wants.
I additionally don’t assume the infrastructure in Australia is the place it must be to supply the form of capability I want, particularly for long-distance driving and driving into extra distant areas with a closely loaded automobile.
What did you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
It was an actual eye opener for me, not simply due to the electrical drivetrain, however to see how vehicles have progressed within the time since I bought my Jeep.
There’s a lot development in know-how right here, particularly by way of the driver-assistance components, which actually shocked me. I didn’t assume I’d like them, or discover them of any profit, however they made driving safer and extra relaxed. I might see them being helpful in combatting fatigue on lengthy journeys.
The opposite factor is that I didn’t assume driving an electrical automobile can be any enjoyable. I don’t know why, actually. I simply assumed it wouldn’t be fairly the expertise that it was. There is a component of enjoyable to it. It has extra energy than I believed it will, plus it’s fairly comfy – and really quiet.
All these issues mix to make a strong argument for contemplating an electrical automobile.
What didn’t you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
I discovered the dashboard a little bit busy. I’m often all for gadgetry and issues like that, and I do know I’d get used to it over time. These kinds of issues often dissipate fairly shortly. There wasn’t something that stood out as a adverse in addition to that. It’s laborious to seek out fault with.
The vary is a matter for my wants, however typically, electrical autos do attraction to me. Should you might magically transpose the electrical driveline into my Jeep, and enhance the vary, I’d take into account one.
Nonetheless, I believe I’d prefer to see the IONIQ 5’s asking worth come down as nicely. I reckon that affordability and charging infrastructure are main concerns for a fairly lot of individuals. Australia positively doesn’t have the charging infrastructure it wants, and I believe that may be one thing that might doubtlessly restrict the quantity of people that’d need to purchase one.
Has driving the IONIQ 5 modified your views on electrical autos?
It completely has. I loved the quietness of it and there are quite a lot of enjoyable facets to driving it. I’d actually like the prospect to drive it extra and actually check it out, you understand, to see how far it may go and issues like that. Given the chance, I’d bounce on the probability to drive one once more.
Michelle, 37 – Mission Coordinator
What do you drive at present?
I at present drive a 2018 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti AWD.
What do you want about it?
As a mom of two younger children, I discover it spacious and sensible. It’s a great top for me to raise the youngsters out and in of and there’s loads of area within the boot for all the issues that youngsters appear to wish carried round. I really feel comfy driving it with the excessive driving place, particularly when parking. It’s a roomy automobile for the entire household.
When will you seemingly change your present automobile?
In all probability throughout the subsequent 12 to 24 months – except now we have extra kids earlier than then. Then we would should convey that timeline ahead a little bit.
Would you take into account changing your present automobile with an electrical automobile?
I imply, I might if the pricing was a little bit nearer to that of a petroleum or diesel automobile. I believe electrical vehicles are nonetheless a little bit too costly for my specific state of affairs, particularly contemplating there are not any government-funded incentives to buy one, or to contribute to the continued prices – like with the ability invoice and so forth.
What did you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
I believe it’s a nice-looking automobile, significantly on the skin. I actually just like the flush door handles; I believe they make the automobile really feel very premium. I additionally like how easy it’s to function, and the way the buttons and controls are completely different to these of a regular automobile.
It’d take a little bit getting used to, however I actually just like the quietness of the automobile as nicely, and the way easily it accelerates. There are not any gear modifications or interruptions, it’s simply all very seamless.
It quickens fairly shortly, too. I didn’t assume it will be this quick, for some cause. Nevertheless it’s fairly zippy. I believe I’d really want to maintain one eye on the speedo whereas driving a automobile like this.
What didn’t you want concerning the IONIQ 5?
Nicely, there’s the worth. I imply, if there was some kind of incentive it may be a distinct story, however I simply can’t see the worth in it in the mean time. And, whereas I do know it’s a matter of getting used to issues, I additionally discover the lane-change cameras and sensors fairly intimidating; they made me a little bit nervous, to be fully sincere. Clearly, they’re helpful, however they can be distracting.
The opposite difficulty for me is having a spot to cost the automobile. I reside on an acreage, and, in the mean time, we don’t have a storage the place I might set up a charger, so I’d be working an extension twine out to the carport. It might simply be “yet one more factor” to have a house charger put in… and yet one more factor we’d must finances for.
I additionally perceive, primarily based on what I’ve researched, {that a} utilizing a house charger every night time wouldn’t present me the required vary to get to and from work the next day, so some enhancements would must be made there earlier than it was worthwhile, in my particular case.
Has driving the IONIQ 5 modified your views on electrical autos?
It has, for certain. I believe I wish to get one if I might afford it. Till now, I actually didn’t know that different automobile firms had been making electrical vehicles – I imply, you solely actually hear of Tesla.
I’ve pushed a Mannequin 3 and I fairly like that, however in any case, the costs of electrical autos should come down, or be indirectly incentivised, earlier than we had been to think about one as our subsequent automobile.
The final phrase…
Whereas most of our readers had been overwhelmingly constructive about their time with the Hyundai IONIQ 5, there have been some constant threads to their opinions.
Pricing was a degree of competition for all 4 candidates, and vary anxiousness was an element for at the least two. The bulk discovered the know-how shift from their present automobile fairly confronting, though, from my facet of the automobile at the least, all of them tailored to the expertise in a short time.
Apparently, not one discovered the automobile too small or disapproved of the styling. There was an acceptance of the know-how that appears to disclose that Australian patrons are able to plug in to an electrical automobile future.
Our testers all mentioned they believed EV possession was now a matter of “when” and never “if”, however that and not using a important leg-up from the federal government – and and not using a marked enchancment in EV charging infrastructure – an electrical automobile would, for now, stay simply shy of attain.