Production Models

The local automotive market is seeing the arrival of more and more full electric sedans and crossovers. This Car Review takes a look at Ioniq 5, Hyundai's electric crossover that is making waves globally.

The Philippines is still playing catchup to neighboring countries when it comes to electric vehicles.

And we're talking about honest-to-goodness sedans and crossovers, not those pesky e-trikes and four-wheeled light electric vehicles.

Still more and more automotive distributors are rolling out full-electric vehicles in the local market, some more affordable than the others.

One such distributor is Hyundai which now has the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 in its local lineup.

The Ioniq 5 is listed at 3.068 million pesos for the EV GLS 2WD S variant and 3.698 million for the EV GLS L, which puts it well within the premium luxury SUV/crossover market.

By the way, the S is for Standard Range and the L is for Long Range.

Aside from its full electric powertain, and the supposed cost-benefits and earth-friendly attributes this brings, is the Ioniq 5 well worth the price?

At 4,635mm long, 1,890mm wide, and 1,605mm tall, with a 3,000mm-long wheelbase, the Ioniq 5 can be said to fall in the compact SUV/crossover category.

Clean sharp lines and profile give the Ioniq 5 a sophisticated and classic look.

Its proportions lend a sleek sporty character while hiding the fact that its on the bigger range of the compact SUV/crossover class.

The Ioniq 5 touts its full EV status by having no grille to speak of.

The 3-dimension cubic design of the LED projection headlamps with auto-light Control function and the Daytime Running Lights, as well as the position lamps add to the sophisticated look.

The flush body-color door handles add to the sleek, sophisticated aerodynamic look.

So do the body-color outside rear view mirrors that power adjust and fold and come with turn signal repeaters and heater function.

The Parametric Pixel Rear Combination LED Lamps carry over the neat headlamp design.

The Ioniq 5 also comes with unobstrusive rear spoiler and High-Mounted Stop Lamp.

Quite distinct are the 20-inch two-tone fractal alloy wheels on Long-Range variant of Hyundai's electric SUV/crossover.

Also distinctive are the 19-inch rims on the Standard-Range variant.

The powered tailgate on the Long Range variant opens to offer 527 liters of storage space.

The ultra-long wheelbase of the Ioniq 5 is allowed by what Hyundai calls the new Electric-Global Platform on which it is built.

This also allows a wide, long and flat floor that translates into a very roomy cabin with loads of leg-, head-, and elbow room.

One gets into the Ioniq 5 quite conveniently with Smart Key with Push Button Start system.

The feeling of expansiveness is enhanced by what Hyundai calls the vision roof - the fixed glass roof on the Long Range variant with the motorised blinds to keep off the sun when needed.

Hyundai also fitted the Ioniq 5 with very comfortable seats, lots of soft surfaces where hands and elbows frequent, and advanced screens and tech for the dash and instrumentation.

Eco-processed leather or eco-friendly fabric for the seats and trim.

The Long Range variants even get what Hyundai calls Relaxation Seats for driver and front seat passenger, power-adjusting with memory function, heated and ventilated.

The rear seats also fold 60:40.

The leather-wrapped two-spoke, flat-bottomed steering wheel manually tilts and telescopes and buttons to control the audio system.

The dash features two 12.3 displays integrated into a single panel - a TFT LCD with Rheostat for the digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen display for the audio system.

The audio system features BlueTooth and Wireless Connectivity and, on the Long Range variant, plays through a Bose speakers.

There's wireless charging for smartphones as well USB portals for other smart devices.

Underneath the audio touchscreen display are the controls for the automatic dual zone airconditioning system.

The Ioniq 5 also comes with lots of beverage holders and storage spaces in the center armrest, the sliding center console, the glove box that slides out like a drawer.

Other interior comfort and convenience features include electro-chromatic mirror, central doorlocks, power windows, sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors, auto window defogger, mood lamps, luggage lamps, luggage net and hook, cargo screen.

There's a learning curve to driving the full electric battery powered Ioniq 5.

But it's not a steep.

The Long-Range variant is powered by a 160 kilowatt electric motor integrated into the rear axle that generates 217 PS and 350 Newton-meters of torque.

Hyundai claims the 72.6 kilowatt per hour liquid-cooled Lithion-Ion battery on the Long Range variant can take the Ioniq 5451 kilometers on a single charge.

The Standard Range variant is powered by a 125 kilowatt electric motor also integrated into the rear axle generating 170 PS and 350 Nm of torque. The 58 kWh battery on the Standard Range variants can take the Ioniq 5 some 384 kilometers on a single full charge.

Both variants come with a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

The driver can select four drive modes to suit road or weather conditions or just for preference - Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow.

The modes can be selected using the Drive Mode Buttons on the steering wheel or the Touchscreen Display.

The Ioniq 5 comes with a column-mounted shifter that may also need some getting used to. Twisting the shifter forward for drive and pulling it back for reverse.

The paddle shifters on the steering wheel can be used to control the level of regenerative braking and even use it to come to a full stop.

One can also perform one-pedal driving. Set on i-Pedal mode, driver can just lift foot of accelerator pedal to begin braking and slowing down to a full stop. It takes some getting used to.

The brake system uses 17-inch discs.

The Ioniq 5 is a fun drive if you like good acceleration. It also offers good stability around curves.

The suspension uses front McPherson struts and rear Multi-link system that absorb road imperfections well enough.

Hyundai claims the Ioniq 5 has one of the fastest charging EVs in the market, capable of charging 10 to 80-percent in around 18 minutes using a 350-KW/800-volt DC fast chargers.

However it takes a good number of hours to fully charge the Ioniq 5 using the free Home Wall Charging Kit that comes free with every purchase of the crossover.

Hyundai equipped the Ioniq 5 GLS 2WD L with its Smartsense Technology, a suite of advanced driver assist and safety tech that includes Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision Warning, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot View Monitor, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Following Assist, High Beam Assist, Rear Seat Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance.

Helping with parking the Ioniq 5 are Surround View Monitor and Parking Distance Warning.

Hyundai also equipped the Ioniq 5 with active and passive safety features that include Anti-Lock Brake System, Electronic Stability Control, Brake Assist System, Hill Start Assist, Manual Speed Limit Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Immobilizer.

Also standard for safety are six airbags, child anchor, child lock.

The Ioniq 5 also feature V2L technology that allows the EV crossover to charge small electric devices.

Hyundai is among global automakers leading the shift to electric vehicles. Can the Ioniq5 induce more locals to take the leap to a full electric crossover? There's a lot to like in the Ioniq that could help buyers get over the price.

Hyundai is among global automakers leading the shift to electric vehicles. Can the Ioniq5 induce more locals to take the leap to a full electric crossover? There's a lot to like in the Ioniq that could help buyers get over the price.