Hyundai Ioniq 5: A Retro-Futuristic Look at What an EV Should Be

Words and Photos by Jennifer Jensen

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 takes the electric vehicle experience up a notch. With its distinctive design, impressive range options, and a ton of futuristic features, this EV isn’t just a car — it’s a signal of where Hyundai is taking electric mobility. I spent a good amount of time with it over a week, driving it through city streets, highways, and even using it on the airfield during EAA’s AirVenture, where it drew more than a few curious glances. Let’s break down what the Ioniq 5 is all about, from its unique design to its tech, and why it might just be the electric car you’re looking for.

Design: Retro Meets Futuristic

The first thing you’ll notice about the Ioniq 5 is its bold, almost retro-futuristic design. Hyundai didn’t shy away from making this car look like something out of a concept sketchbook. Its crisp lines, pixel-inspired lights, and unique proportions make it stand out, especially in this matte “Shooting Star” paint finish, which has turned heads everywhere I’ve driven.

From the front, the Ioniq 5 has an angular, almost spaceship-like look, with a clamshell hood that reduces panel gaps and pixelated LED headlights that give it a digital vibe. The rear end echoes this with pixelated taillights that look especially striking at night. The handles stay flush with the body, popping out only when needed, keeping the sides sleek and clean.

In terms of size, the Ioniq 5 might be categorized as a compact SUV, but its wheelbase is a massive 118.1 inches — longer than the Hyundai Palisade’s. This translates into an exceptionally roomy interior for passengers and cargo, making it spacious without feeling overbearing.

Interior: Space and Comfort

Hyundai’s design philosophy with the Ioniq 5’s interior is all about creating a “living space on wheels.” And they nailed it. The flat floor and sliding center console give the cabin an open, airy feel. You can move the center console back to open up more legroom for backseat passengers or give front-seat occupants a more spacious feel. Plus, that sliding console means you can create your ideal setup, whether you’re storing bags, water bottles, or even charging devices with the console’s integrated wireless charger and USB ports.

The materials feel upscale, with eco-friendly touches like sustainable fabrics and soft-touch plastics. The seats are extremely comfortable, even for long drives, and they’re designed to be lightweight yet supportive. The panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with natural light, which you can close off with a split-shade cover. And yes, there’s plenty of headroom and legroom in both the front and back seats.

Tech and Features: High on Innovation

One of the highlights of the Ioniq 5’s tech suite is its pair of 12.3-inch screens — one for the digital gauge cluster and the other for the infotainment system. The infotainment system is responsive and user-friendly, with crisp graphics that make it easy to read on the go. Hyundai has also included physical buttons for some essential functions, which I appreciate — sometimes you just need a real button rather than a touchscreen.

Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist 2, a semi-autonomous system, is featured here and is surprisingly competent. On straight stretches of highway, you can even go hands-free for a bit, and the system will keep you centered in your lane. However, it does remind you periodically to keep your hands on the wheel, and it’s not fully autonomous, so you’ll want to stay engaged. If you don’t, the car will let you know.

There’s also an augmented reality head-up display, which shows turn-by-turn directions and other key driving information right in your line of sight. And let’s talk about the camera system — the Ioniq 5’s blind spot cameras activate with the turn signals, giving you a live feed on the gauge cluster screen. It’s incredibly helpful in city traffic and tight highway merges.

Performance: Plenty of Power on Tap

The Ioniq 5 offers different powertrain configurations, so you can choose between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. The entry-level rear-wheel drive model has 168 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, good for daily drives and errands with around 220 miles of range. But the model I tested was the top-spec all-wheel-drive version with dual motors, producing a total of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. This version is seriously quick off the line, hitting 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds, and it has a claimed range of 256 miles.

One feature I really enjoyed was the adjustable regenerative braking system, controlled by paddles behind the steering wheel. You can select from four different levels, including Hyundai’s “i-Pedal” mode, which essentially turns it into a one-pedal driving experience. At the max level, you can come to a complete stop just by lifting off the accelerator — useful in stop-and-go traffic and for maximizing range and one of my personal favorite features on an EV.

Despite its weight (sitting at nearly two tons), the Ioniq 5 handles itself quite well. It’s not as sporty as some other EVs (unless you get the Ioniq 5 N!), but it’s stable, and with the weight of the battery low to the ground, it feels well-planted even in tight turns. The suspension is more comfort-focused, soaking up road imperfections with ease, but it can still hold its own when you want to have a little fun.

Range and Charging: Quick and Convenient

Charging is one of the Ioniq 5’s strong suits. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture — a system you typically only find in luxury EVs like the Porsche Taycan — the Ioniq 5 can go from 10% to 80% charge in just 18 minutes on a 350-kW fast charger. On a 150-kW charger, that time bumps up to about 25 minutes. For most daily driving, a 220-volt Level 2 charger at home will probably be all you need, giving you a full charge in around 6 to 7 hours overnight.

But here’s where Hyundai’s thoughtfulness comes in — the Ioniq 5 is equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology, meaning it can act as a mobile power source. There’s an outlet under the back seats, and you can even plug into the charging port outside with an adapter. This feature has some serious practical potential, whether you’re charging a laptop, powering a small appliance, or even running camping gear off the car.

Real-World Range and Practicality

While Hyundai claims the Ioniq 5 AWD variant offers up to 256 miles, in my time with it, I observed slightly less — about 240 miles on a full charge. Your results may vary based on driving habits, terrain, and use of features like climate control, but this number should be sufficient for most commutes and short trips. However, if long-distance trips are a big part of your life, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more range.

Storage is surprisingly abundant. Hyundai took full advantage of the EV platform by giving the Ioniq 5 a flat floor and moving the batteries underneath the passenger compartment. The rear cargo area is spacious, and when you fold down the rear seats, you can fit a good amount of gear. There’s a small frunk, too, although you won’t fit more than a purse or small handbag in there. Think of it more as a place to store a charging cable than anything else.

Final Thoughts: A Well-Rounded EV with Style and Substance

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an impressive entry in the EV space, and it’s clear Hyundai put a lot of thought into making it practical, comfortable, and stylish. From its futuristic design to its spacious interior and innovative tech, it feels like a solid bridge between today’s cars and the future of electric mobility.

For most people, the Ioniq 5 will offer more than enough range, charging speed, and everyday usability. It’s comfortable enough for long drives, quick enough to keep things fun, and advanced enough to feel like it’s genuinely moving the needle for Hyundai. If the company continues this trajectory with the Ioniq lineup, I have no doubt they’re going to win over a lot of new customers.

So, if you’re in the market for an EV with plenty of character, utility, and some serious tech cred, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 deserves a spot at the top of your list. This isn’t just a car; it’s a glimpse at the future, wrapped up in a package you can drive today. And, most importantly, the Ioniq 5 actually has character. It doesn’t just feel like an appliance. And THAT is an EV we can get behind.