Electric vehicles are taking more and more market share with each passing year, and government mandates are likely to keep that trend going. I live in a fairly rural area with little to no access to charging infrastructure but since a handful of my neighbors have gone electric, I figured it was time to get behind the wheel of an EV myself.
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I chose the Hyundai Ioniq 5 as my test model
With my mind made up, I gave the nearest Hyundai dealership, around 40 minutes away, a call and set up an appointment to drive a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE AWD.
There are closer dealerships, with Ford and Chevrolet lots 15 minutes away, but based on past experience, they use high-pressure sales tactics. Not only that but they’re owned by the same company and are well aware they’re the only game in town. On the other hand, the nearest Tesla self-service center is an hour away, and the dealer (or whatever it’s considered) is an hour and a half away. That left the American-made EV out of the running.
Hyundai
Not wanting to have to deal with the dealerships’ attempts to strong-arm me into a deal or drive all the way to Tesla, I bypassed the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Bolt, and all of Elon’s offerings. The process was set in motion with a simple phone call to Bob, a Hyundai salesman.
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Don’t count Hyundai out just yet
Going in, I wasn’t expecting much as Hyundai’s reputation preceded them in my mind. I had test-driven a Hyundai about 15 years ago, and the cheap feel and sketchy reputation left a lasting impression. I’ve been keeping up with Hyundai for a while, so I knew they were doing better. I was not, however, prepared for just how well they were doing.
Hyundai’s Ioniq line is a fully electrified sub-brand that, like Genesis, has its own look and feel. Opening the door to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with its wide stance, was already an improvement over my past experience. Just getting into the driver’s seat legitimately made me question if this was actually a Hyundai.
Hyundai
What I liked about the Ioniq 5 test drive
The interior itself was fairly upscale, but given the price was a little over $40,000, that’s to be expected. The seats were comfortable, with bolstered sides that kept me in place fairly well, even on turns at higher speeds.
The drive itself was smooth and surprisingly quiet but the lack of a transmission threw me off at first. Having driven the manual and automatic transmissions of old, I kept letting off the accelerator out of habit, expecting a gear to shift. Obviously that wasn’t the case. Instead, one-pedal driving and regenerative braking kicked in, slowing down the Ioniq 5 rather quickly. I can see why many EV owners don’t need new brakes well past the recommended milestone.
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It wouldn’t be a test drive if I didn’t really test Hyundai’s claim of 0-to-60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds. Bob directed me to a straightaway, and I noticed he leaned slightly back into his seat. He had clearly been on this ride before. In short, the Ioniq 5’s 320-horsepower dual electric motors definitely have the performance to support the 5.5-second claim.
What I didn’t like about the Ioniq 5 test drive
For whatever reason, the screens above the steering wheel that show driving information, like current speed and remaining charge, had a white border. That didn’t quite mesh with the all-black interior, and you can’t exactly just look away from it for the entire time you’re behind the wheel.
Hyundai
While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks similar to a hot hatch, it’s classified as a crossover for a reason. Like all EVs, it has some weight to it, coming in at a gross weight of 5,600 pounds. What’s worse is that it has the turn radius of a full-size SUV. I tried turning into a parking space like I would with any other hatchback, and found myself having to back up and readjust in order to avoid smashing into the neighboring Tucson.
Final thoughts
Having never driven an EV before and having heard mixed opinions, the Ioniq 5—and Hyundai as a whole—completely exceeded my expectations. I had doubted the instant torque, and I was happy to be proven wrong.
Charging time was another potential issue on my list, but the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes. I’d have to invest in a level 2 charger for my garage, but I can live with that. To put it simply, my next car will be an all-electric model whether it’s an Ioniq 5 or not.
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