Is the third time a continued charm? Three Ioniq 5s later, and it's still a winner among EVs
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 review with The Road Beat
Words and pictures by Mitchell Weitzman
This is the third time testing a Hyundai Ioniq 5 after previous positive experiences. And, fortunately, my fondness remains mostly undiminished. That same affection serves especially effective after sampling a variety of other EVs in the intervening years. Besides electrics coming from within the Hyundai conglomerate in the shape of Kia and luxurious Genesis offerings, the Ioniq 5 is still perhaps the single best alternative to Tesla; There's a reason I see a continually growing sea of Ioniq EVs on my local roads here in Northern California.
Protons
Style is among the most subjective of categories, but the retro 1980s/ Lancia Delta-inspired shape has aged tremendously well, and each sighting of another on the road continues to draw my pupils' attention. Inside is less noteworthy, but the engineers and designers have made the most of the boxy exterior to maximize interior space and accommodations. I like how open the cabin feels and it also has a terrific and almost panoramic view out front that makes visibility and placement a breeze. In between the driver and front passenger is a large center console and armrest assembly that cleverly has a lever to slide the entire unit forward and backward as one. With it pushed all the way rearwards, there is clear open air between the feet of the front occupants, adding to the perception and presentation of a larger interior than the exterior footprint suggests.
Controls are easy to accustom to, and the overall quality and fit and finish also impress. t's a mostly (I'll tell you why only mostly later) well-thought interior that makes the clumsy and cheap architecture of cars like the VW ID.4 seem like such a mockery. Still, it's that exterior that likely drawn so many customers to become Hyundai customers. If you're turned off by the lack of traditional turn signal stalks and controls in new Teslas, the Ioniq 5 represents a thoughtful blend of new and old technology to make assimilation easier.
With 320 horsepower in this all-wheel drive example, performance is plentiful and painlessly easy, with 0-60 MPH taking a scant 4.5 seconds. In the real world, the electric motors are serenely smooth and user-friendly in operation, with the choice of several levels of regenerative braking to choose from (including none at all) for complete customization. Hyundai pioneered ultra-quick charging on mainstream EVs, and as such, this Ioniq 5 has the ability to utilize 350 KW chargers (even if that does mean not actually reaching the complete 350 in most scenarios, such is the nature of today's chargers). As a result, if you have access to one of these units out in the wild, this is one of the most convenient electric cars available because of such quick replenishment of its 77 kWh battery pack. For hard numbers, Hyundai quotes 15-80 percent in just 20 minutes at its max potential (other chargers, like level 2 and 50/100 KW chargers will be slower just FYI). In the real world, a Tesla will charge on one of their Superchargers just as quick, but this Hyundai can hastily outpace the charging speeds of a Toyota bZ4x, VW ID.4, Honda Prologue, or Ford Mustang Mach-e.
But, what I like even more than the zippy and instant speed of the Ioniq 5 is the way it treats corners. While almost all competitors have zero interest in driving enthusiasm in favor of discreet mundanity, the Ioniq 5 exhibits accurate steering paired to quick reflexes and direction changes. Tuck the nose into some corners at velocity, and you'll find lots of usable grip and a lack of joy-killing understeer. Be steady with the throttle on a long, looping cloverleaf -style onramp, and eventually you can squeeze the pedal to the floor and the AWD will smartly distribute power where needed and slingshot you out at speed, able to easily merge with traffic. Even on backroads, there's a light-footed nature that most other everyday EVs just simply do not have, with an eagerness to go after and attack corners. Ride quality impresses with its composure, so it's really quite refreshing that Hyundai made an EV that actually likes being driven while still being comfortable. Other EVs can be such tired lards, sloshing through corners like Jell-O, but the Ioniq 5 delivers the accessible goods.
Electrons
Negatives are not long, but they are still very present. For example, for a brand new and tech-savvy electric car, there isn't a USB-C port to be found, instead relying on the old and continually discontinued USB Type A connectors. This might not bother others, but not even a mix of ports? For a car representing the future, it's shocking (pun unintended) older ports are still used. Also, there's no wireless Apple CarPlay to be found yet in this 2024 model year example, so you do have to make use of those USB ports if you want that (some recent 2025 model year Hyundai models finally have wireless Apple CarPlay). And speaking more on the tech, the application menu on the center display features far too many choices and looks cluttered with all the tiny icons that could easily be grouped together. It's not a bad user interface, but it could friendlier.
Despite the rated 260 mile range displaying on its window sticker, I struggled to extract 200 out of it during easy commuting, with efficiency playing out to just 2.7 miles per kWh of storage. That figure falls behind what I have observed in other EVs, and a comparable Teslas show significantly improved efficiency in the hands of other independent testing. Admittedly, this might not be a very telling experience, as I drove the Ioniq 5 through a horrendous heat wave in California, with most days reaching between 105 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. With the A/C absolutely blasting during all instances of driving, both mornings and afternoons, this probably cost me a huge chunk of range given the unprecedented heat. So, while I do have to report the weak range, it does come with an asterisk. But, for those in the desert like Las Vegas where that's just a normal summer day, that's what you can expect in the real world, and 200 miles in the real world just isn't enough still for many, many drivers to consider an EV.
A sharp performer and choice
Look, I can get over the USB port thing, as will 99.9% of reasonable people; it's just disappointing to not see them think of that and its resultant shortsightedness. Driving in such weather doesn't make for an accurate nor fair range comparison unless I tested every EV in the same temperatures, but it is my experience in other weekly tests of the Ioniq 5 that is in fact not the most efficient in its class. Luckily it's close, and the charging speed advantage at least offsets that. But, look back at the positives, and the Ioniq 5 is a more enjoyable electric vehicle to drive verse so many competitors. I haven't tested the new Tesla Model 3 and Y, but the comprehensive updates each received this past year seem to have affirmed their strengths according to numerous other tests and reviews. Tesla is probably still the most sensible choice for most, and even more affordable when similarly equipped, but the Ioniq 5 is easily the best of the rest. Maybe more importantly, it proves that mainstream electric cars can be cool.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD
As-tested price: $58,985
Pros: Awesome design and performance; Driving manners
Cons: Disappointing range
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 review and photos by the The Road Beat and mitchellweitzmanphoto.com