HYUNDAI, Ioniq 5 (Latest Model)

Hyundai keeps the Ioniq 5 lineup broad but not overwhelming, offering a range of battery sizes and motor configurations that cater to very different types of drivers. Prices for the latest Ioniq 5 now start at around £43,000, rising to £55,000+ depending on battery, drivetrain and trim.

The Standard Range RWD is the entry point, using a 63kWh battery and producing 170bhp. It’s designed for shorter commutes or urban-heavy lifestyles. It’s not the headline grabber but it’s efficient and perfectly pleasant to drive, with a real-world range typically landing around 220–240 miles.

Most buyers however look one step up and that’s where the Ioniq 5 really starts to shine.

The Long Range RWD (now 84kWh in the latest version, replacing the earlier 77kWh battery) is a great choice. With 228bhp and a real-world range of 300–330 miles, it offers excellent efficiency and the most settled, comfortable ride in the range. It’s the version that best showcases the car’s strengths: smoothness, quietness and long-distance composure. It doesn’t feel rushed or strained, just effortlessly calm.

The Long Range AWD adds a second motor for a combined output of around 321bhp, dropping the 0–62mph time to roughly 5.3 seconds. It injects more performance — plenty, in fact — and gives the Ioniq 5 the traction and shove some buyers crave. But it inevitably adds weight and slightly diminishes efficiency, with real-world range closer to 270–290 miles, so it’s best suited for those who prioritise acceleration over outright refinement.

And then there’s the Ioniq 5 N, which is an entirely different beast. Packing 650bhp, a 0–62mph time of 3.4 seconds, bespoke suspension and chassis tuning, it’s a genuinely wild performance EV. Engineered to behave like a hot hatch with ridiculous straight line speed and serious cornering ability, it’s brilliant in its own right but most buyers shopping for a family EV will gravitate toward the more civilised variants.

Hyundai doesn’t overcomplicate the options list. Even mid-tier trims come generously equipped, with strong infotainment, comfort features and a full suite of safety systems. You don’t need to climb through endless bundles or spec sheets to land on a well rounded version.

The Premium Long Range RWD remains the standout, the one that feels perfectly aligned with what the Ioniq 5 is best at, combining range, comfort and value without unnecessary compromise.

Inside, the Ioniq 5 feels like someone tried to design a living room that just happens to move. It’s airy, spacious and calming, the sort of interior that makes you take a slow breath the first time you sit in it. Hyundai has leaned into soft shapes, muted colours and open spaces, giving the cabin an almost Scandinavian sensibility.

The dashboard is dominated by two crisp 12-inch screens that sit side by side, framed by a clean, minimalist design. But unlike Tesla, Hyundai hasn’t removed every physical control. You still get tactile switches and buttons for the essentials and the result is an interior that mixes digital convenience with real world usability.

The front seats are superb. Supportive without being firm, they allow long journeys to pass almost unnoticed. The party trick, of course, is the “relaxation mode,” where the seats recline, extend a leg rest and turn the cabin into something bordering on lounge seating. It sounds gimmicky until you try it at a charging station, then it suddenly makes perfect sense.

Rear passengers are treated extremely well. Legroom is vast, genuinely rivalling much larger SUVs and executive saloons. The flat floor adds flexibility, while the reclining rear backrests offer an extra layer of comfort. The long wheelbase comes into play here. The Ioniq 5 has nearly the footprint of a large SUV but uses that space in a far cleverer way.

Materials are well chosen, with plenty of soft touch surfaces and eco-friendly elements. It feels premium without pretending to be a luxury car. The vibe is “high-quality modern” rather than “wannabe German luxury” and the result is refreshingly honest.

Infotainment is reliable, responsive and logically laid out. Some menus require a moment’s familiarity but the system rewards patience with its clarity and functionality. It’s not as crisp or minimal as Tesla’s software but it’s far friendlier than Volkswagen’s or Ford’s efforts.

The cabin doesn’t just feel like a nice place to be. It feels like the designers genuinely wanted to make your life easier.

If the Kia EV6 feels like it wants to take the long way home, the Ioniq 5 feels like it wants to make the long journey a breeze. Its priorities are clearly comfort, stability and refinement and it excels at all three.

The first thing you notice is the ride. Even on larger wheels, the Ioniq 5 glides over rough surfaces with a confidence that many heavier EVs struggle to match. It doesn’t float or wobble; it just absorbs imperfections in a way that makes you instantly relax. British roads, with their patched tarmac, hidden dips and occasional moon like craters, seem to bother the Ioniq 5 far less than they bother most EVs.

Steering is light but accurate. You’re not encouraged to throw the car into corners with abandon but the chassis is far from sloppy. It feels stable, composed and secure, with a reassuring sense of weight distribution that comes from its long wheelbase and cleverly tuned suspension.

On twisty B-roads, the Ioniq 5 is enjoyable in a calm, measured way. It’s not the car that begs you to push harder but it rewards smooth driving with a wonderfully settled feel. Compared with the Tesla Model Y, it’s less urgent. Compared with the EV6, it’s less sporty. But compared with almost every rival in terms of comfort and confidence? It’s one of the best.

Where the Ioniq 5 truly shines is in motorway refinement. Wind noise is impressively low, tyre roar is well controlled and the suspension remains composed even over long undulating stretches of road. It’s the kind of car that makes long distance travel feel shorter. Cruising at 70mph becomes a quietly satisfying experience.

Acceleration is brisk in the RWD models and genuinely potent in the AWD version but the Ioniq 5 rarely feels like it’s trying to impress with straight line speed. Its talents lie in smoothness, not drama. It drives like a car designed to keep stress levels low and in a world where many EVs default to “look how fast I am,” that calmness feels like a luxury.

The Ioniq 5 makes excellent use of its aerodynamic shape and efficient motors and the result is genuinely impressive real world range. The 77 kWh RWD model can comfortably achieve between 250 and 320 miles depending on conditions and even the AWD version returns strong numbers in mixed driving.

But the real magic lies in its charging technology. Thanks to Hyundai’s advanced 800-volt architecture, the Ioniq 5 is capable of rapid charging speeds that rival and in some cases beat Tesla. On a good rapid charger, 10–80% can be achieved in a little over 18 minutes, making long journeys far easier and far quicker than many competitors allow.

Hyundai’s thermal management is excellent, meaning charging speeds remain consistent even in varying temperatures. This is a massive advantage over some EVs whose performance drops noticeably in winter conditions.

Home charging is straightforward and cost effective and Hyundai’s efficiency means the Ioniq 5 can be one of the cheapest large EVs to run if you use off-peak electricity.

For day to day use, it’s an EV that rewards careful planning but doesn’t punish you if you stray from the optimal charging routine.

This is one of the areas where the Ioniq 5 surpasses expectations. The car looks like a hatchback, but its 3m wheelbase and clever interior layout put it firmly in the “large family car” category. At around 4.6m long, it occupies a footprint similar to a mid-size SUV, yet it never feels unnecessarily bulky.

The boot is generous, square shaped and easy to load thanks to a wide opening and low lip. With 520 litres of capacity in standard form, it’s not quite as cavernous as the Škoda Enyaq or Tesla Model Y but it’s more than enough for family duties, weekend trips or holiday luggage. Fold the rear seats and capacity expands to over 1,580 litres, giving it real flexibility. The optional vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature adds an extra layer of practicality, letting you power appliances or tools directly from the car, genuinely useful for camping, festivals or outdoor hobbies.

Inside, space is exceptional. The long wheelbase creates limousine-like rear legroom, with rear passengers enjoying over 1m of legroom, and the flat floor means the middle seat doesn’t feel like an afterthought. Whether you’re installing child seats, carrying teenagers or giving adults a comfortable ride on a long journey, the Ioniq 5 handles it with ease.

The only real caveat is the car’s width. At just under 1.90m wide (excluding mirrors), it’s a broad vehicle and you’ll feel that in narrow car parks or older multi-storey spaces. You adjust quickly, but it’s a notable part of the ownership experience.

And yes — the lack of a rear wiper is puzzling. The aero design helps clear most rain but not all.

Still, the Ioniq 5 remains one of the best family EVs available, simply because it uses its size intelligently.

Hyundai has invested heavily in safety technology and the Ioniq 5 reflects this with an impressive suite of assistance systems that feel polished rather than intrusive. Adaptive cruise and lane assistance work smoothly, merging into the background rather than grabbing your attention with abrupt corrections.

The car feels solid and confidence inspiring and the Ioniq 5 performs well in crash tests. Hyundai’s commitment to quality control shines through here, there’s a real sense that this car has been engineered for durability, not just first impressions.

Reliability has been strong. Hyundai’s EV systems have a good track record and early data suggests the Ioniq 5’s battery and electronics maintain stability over time. The company’s warranty remains one of the more generous in the industry, offering useful long-term reassurance.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the most distinctive and likeable electric cars on the road. It takes a very different approach to the EV transition, prioritising comfort, space and everyday ease over performance bravado or minimalistic experimentation. It’s a car that feels calm, welcoming and cleverly designed and it makes family life surprisingly effortless.

It doesn’t handle like the EV6 or charge quite as quickly in marginal conditions as Tesla but it offers something few EVs truly master: relaxed confidence. It feels like a car built for people who want the future of motoring without losing the warmth and practicality that make a vehicle feel like home.

If you want a comfortable, characterful and cleverly packaged electric family car, the Ioniq 5 should be very high on your shortlist and for many buyers, it might just be the perfect fit.