2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Review: Electric Class Act

Sitting on Hyundai's versatile E-GMP electric architecture that also underpins the Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60, the compact Ioniq 5 crossover shot right to the top of the class when it first arrived in the USA two years ago. Strikingly different looks that don't come at the cost of practicality and genuinely excellent all-round ability have earned it the 2022 World Car of the Year award right from the off, so it's certainly been giving rivals such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Tesla Model Y sleepless nights. Now, we welcome the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5, which is only marginally more expensive than last year. It might not quite offer the range or have the optional third row you get with a Tesla Model Y, but it's better built, and the ballistic new 641-horsepower Ioniq 5 N (reviewed separately) outguns the Model Y Performance by more than 150 hp. Lower down the lineup, things are decidedly more sensible and less exciting, with the base model kicking off with 168 hp and RWD, but a variety of powertrains that include 225-hp and 320-hp derivatives - and AWD - makes sure there's an Ioniq 5 for everyone. It should keep it firmly entrenched at the top of the pecking order, too.

New for 2024

The regular 2024 Ioniq 5 is a carryover model save for a few small spec changes. A camera-based digital rearview mirror is now standard equipment on the Limited trim, while Wi-Fi hotspot capability is included on all trims (subscription required). The safety spec is shored up with newly standard rear side airbags across the board, in addition to rear outboard seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters. All trims' lane-keep and blind-spot monitoring systems now provide haptic feedback through the steering wheel. Nothing else has changed, and the starting price of the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has only increased by $200. So much for the regular Ioniq 5, but there is still great excitement afoot because the high-performance 641-hp Ioniq 5 N debuts this year. Look out for our separate review of that model.

A 1,000-model special edition called the Disney100 Platinum Edition is also planned for early 2024.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Price: Which One to Buy

The starting price of a new Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossover is only $200 more than it was for 2023. The base SE Standard Range costs $41,650, followed by the SE at $45,700, the SEL at $47,250, and the Limited at $53,350. AWD can be added to the SE and SEL for $3,500, but it will cost you $3,900 on the Limited. These prices are MSRP and exclusive of the $1,335 destination charge.

The RWD SEL is the best buy in the range. Not only does it share the longest range of 303 miles with the other RWD trims with the large battery, but it also gains various desirable features that the SE doesn't have; the most important ones are a hands-free power liftgate, leatherette upholstery, wireless device charging, a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors, and more advanced adaptive cruise control via Highway Driving Assist II. All of this for less than $48k, destination included, seems like great value to us.

Interior and Features

The Ioniq 5 has a minimalist interior made from sustainable materials with excellent quality levels and big dual digital displays.

Stepping inside the Ioniq 5 is stepping into a tranquil and understated yet modern space. You're faced with a clean, minimalist dashboard topped by a duo of big digital screens and a simple two-spoke steering wheel. A sense of modernity pervades the place, yet all the controls are easy to learn and use, with no EV-specific oddities that steepen the learning curve. It's all reassuringly premium, too, with many soft-touch surfaces in evidence and an aura of quality that will put a Model Y to shame. Many sustainable, environmentally friendly materials are used for the various cabin fittings. Interior space is near the top of the class, ably assisted by an ultra-long 118-inch wheelbase - longer than that of the three-row Palisade - and a completely flat floor. You have a commanding view out front, but rearward visibility is restricted by the thick rear pillars; at least rear parking sensors and a backup camera are fitted to help with parking. Unfortunately, only the Limited gets a surround-view camera. Also a bit irritating when parking the car is the big turning circle, a byproduct of the lengthy wheelbase.

Space

The Ioniq 5 is perfect for transporting people in comfort, with acres of interior space that beats most rivals and soft, comfortable seats. It doesn't offer the optional third row of competitors such as the Model Y, but those are virtually useless in cars of this size anyway, and what space there is, is eminently usable, with leg- and headroom aplenty for five people. The floor is rather high due to the batteries underneath it, but it's completely flat and amplifies the sense of space, even in front, where there isn't a huge, intrusive center console that makes you feel hemmed in.

Cargo

Trunk space isn't quite up to that of most rivals, but it's fairly close. With 27.2 cu-ft available behind the second row, you'll be able to fit at least six carry-on bags in there, though the figure is beaten by the ID.4, Model Y, and Mustang Mach-E, which all boast figures dotted around the 30-cu-ft mark. The 60/40-split rear seats can be folded almost completely flat, in which case up to 59.3 cu-ft of trunk volume becomes available, which is virtually on par with the Mach-E's 59.7 cu-ft, but well short of the Model Y's class-leading 76.2 cu-ft. Unfortunately, there's no proper front frunk, with the 0.85-cu-ft one provided able to accommodate the charging cable and not much else, so you won't be able to store anything there but small items.

In-cabin stowage is way more generous, starting with a roomy glovebox and four proper door pockets. There's a small uncovered nook at the bottom of the dash's hang-down section and behind that, a center console containing two cupholders and a large storage bin below the armrest; this console can slide in the Limited. The rear seat gets front seatback pockets and its own two cupholders in the fold-down center armrest.

Materials and Colors

The SE trims get cloth upholstery and a choice of two no-cost interior colors - black or two-tone gray/black for both the cabin and seats. The SEL and Limited upgrade to perforated H-Tex leatherette upholstery in the same two color schemes, but the seats are all gray now when you choose the latter option. The SEL and Limited are the only trims to get 64-color adjustable ambient interior lighting, but all trims get a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Features and Infotainment

Equipment levels are generous, even on the base SE trim. The plain cloth upholstery is a bit dull, the color options few, and the front passenger seat is six-way manually adjustable only, but other than those concessions to budgeting, standard fare includes heated front seats, an eight-way power driver's seat, rear seats that can slide and recline, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto up-and-down feature for the driver's window, illuminated sunvisors, and a manually tilting/telescoping steering wheel trimmed in leather. Higher trims gain features such as leatherette upholstery, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, a power passenger seat, a wireless charging pad, rear-seat air-conditioning vents, adjustable ambient LED interior lighting, and more.

The same infotainment system is used in all the trims. To the right of the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster is a touchscreen of the same size, and system features include navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi capability (subscription required), Bluetooth audio streaming, HD Radio, SiriusXM, front and rear USB ports (five in total), and a six-speaker audio system. From the SEL level and up, a wireless charging pad becomes standard, but only the Limited gets a premium eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Performance

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers decent performance with AWD and class-competitive range figures, but it's not as quick as a Model Y.

The single electric motor in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range is mounted in the rear and develops 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It draws its energy from a 195-kW battery pack with a 58-kWh capacity. This derivative is available with rear-wheel drive only and offers leisurely performance, with a 0-60 sprint of around 8.5 seconds. The rest of the lineup is available with a choice of RWD or AWD drivetrain options, both with more power, and with a 272-kW battery with a 77.4-kWh capacity. The more powerful RWD models develop 225 hp, but the same 258 lb-ft as the base SE Standard Range, and this drops the Hyundai Ioniq 5's 0-60 time to a claimed 7.4 seconds. The dual-motor models are all-wheel drive only and combine a 221-hp rear motor and 99-hp front motor for outputs of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft, good enough for a claimed 5.1-second sprint to 60, although real-world testing has suggested that easy sub-five-second times are possible. All models make use of an EV-typical single-speed direct-drive transmission. Top speed is limited to around 117 mph. The base SE Standard Range isn't rated to tow, but all the other trims have a rated towing capacity of 2,300 pounds with the factory tow hitch fitted, and they come with a standard trailering package with four-pin trailer pre-wiring. Despite the crossover appearance, ground clearance is only 6.1 inches, so forget about taking the Ioniq 5 off-road; the AWD system is for slippery roads only.

The driving experience is impressively mature, with the Ioniq 5 exhibiting superb refinement on the move and hushed noise levels. The soft seats are assisted by a compliant suspension setup that irons out the jolts and shocks before they filter through to the cabin, even on the Limited AWD's larger 20-inch wheels. It might be a bit soft for some, but we think it suits the car's character. It retains more than enough athleticism for the average driver and is actually fun to drive, with a pleasing alertness when changing direction, and the low-slung battery pack makes it feel resolutely planted.

Unfortunately, steering feedback is not in the same league and counts as the only real dynamic minus. Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes are provided to tailor the powertrain to the conditions, and steering-mounted paddles vary the strength of the regenerative braking from nothing to i-Pedal, which allows one-pedal driving. There's enough punch available in the upper powertrains, and though the 168-hp base car's laid-back character might not suit everybody, its decent torque delivery keeps it from feeling flat.

Battery, Charging, and Range

Built mainly as a price leader with a smaller battery and less power, the efficiency of the base Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range is actually not the best in the lineup, with EPA figures of 127/94/110 MPGe for the city/highway/combined cycles. The 225-hp RWD powertrain narrowly beats it with figures of 132/98/114 MPGe. The 320-hp AWD powertrain is worst with 110/88/99 MPGe. The RWD SE Standard Range's battery capacity of 58 kWh is good for a range of around 220 miles on the combined cycle, while the 225-hp RWD models with the 77.4-kWh battery are the best in the lineup with a range of 303 miles. The 320-hp AWD models still manage a decent 260 miles. These figures can't match the Tesla Model Y Long Range's 122 MPGe combined and 330-mile range, but neither can any other car in this class.

A Level 2 onboard charger with up to 10.9 kW supported is standard equipment, and ultra-fast (up to 800 V/350 kW) charging is possible, a major plus in this class. Charging from 10-100% on an AC Level 2 240-V outlet will take five hours and 50 minutes for the 58-kWh battery and seven hours and ten minutes for the 77.4-kWh battery. At the highest rate of rapid charging, the time to charge either of the batteries from 10-80% can be reduced to as little as 18 minutes.

Safety

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has high safety standards and achieved mostly five-star ratings in the NHTSA's safety review.

In last year's NHTSA's safety review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with AWD, the car achieved mostly five-star ratings, including its overall rating, but a four-star rating for the frontal crash. At the time of writing, the identical 2024 model hasn't been fully tested yet, but the same results are expected. At the IIHS, the 2023 Ioniq 5 received mostly Good scores, with a small number of Acceptable ones strewn in between, such as for the regular LED-reflector headlights on the SE and SEL trims. It also received a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ award. The 2024 model should follow in these model years' footsteps once it's tested.

As for the standard safety features fitted, expect the usual ABS, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, and backup camera, as required by law. This year's Ioniq 5 gains standard rear-seat side airbags, so there are now eight in total. The standard driver assists fitted across the lineup include front-collision alert with pedestrian/cyclist/junction-turning detection, automatic braking, navigation-based adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist I and Curve Control, driver-alertness monitoring, speed-limit assist, and automatic LED headlights with auto high beams. A host of side- and rear-sensing driver assists are standard too, including blind-spot and lane-keep collision avoidance with haptic feedback through the steering wheel, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-following assist. The SEL adds to this tally front parking sensors and upgrades to Highway Driving Assist II, which includes junction-crossing detection. The Limited is the only trim that gets automatic reverse braking, surround-view and blind-spot-view cameras, rain-sensing wipers, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a head-up display.

Reliability

According to JD Power, the expected reliability of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn't great, with a very mediocre score of 70 out of 100 for the agency's Quality & Reliability criteria (applicable to 2023 models). We suspect the automaker is still sorting out the type of teething troubles that accompany brand-new designs that owe nothing to a predecessor. To be fair, this is the same as the Model Y's score and one percentage point better than what the Mustang Mach-E could muster.

We don't see much reason for concern, firstly because the Ioniq 5's recall record is exemplary, with only a single recall in the 2022 launch year recorded so far for a software error that could cause the vehicle to roll away. The second reason is the superb warranty the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes with, which gives you extraordinary peace of mind, should something go wrong. The standard warranty is valid for five years/60,000 miles, the powertrain and battery warranties for ten years/100,000 miles, and the anti-perforation warranty for seven years/unlimited miles. Hyundai even includes complimentary servicing for three years/36,000 miles. You don't get much better than that.

Warranty

Design

There's nothing dull or drab about the Ioniq 5's exterior appearance. It's bold and modern, with signature Hyundai "Z" slashes on the flanks and a practical boxy shape that manages to look modern and dynamic at the same time, thanks to smart detailing like the menacing visage with its slit-like grille hiding the LED headlights, a blocky full-width rear LED light bar, retractable door handles, and that lengthy wheelbase that pushes the wheels out right to the corners of the car. The base trims all run on 19-inch alloys, but the Limited AWD gets snazzy black 20-inch items with machined perimeters. The Limited also benefits from silver body cladding and lower-body treatment, and it's the only trim that gets premium LED front accent lighting in front.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 A Good SUV?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 vaults right to the front of the line and elbows all pretenders out of the way with such a complete resume that few dare challenge it. It's not only strikingly designed, but it's also roomy and premium inside, offers a variety of RWD and AWD powertrains with decent performance and range figures, is extremely well-equipped, and ships with a market-leading warranty. It has no glaring faults and is such a resolved product that it has no trouble seeing off the competition for now, especially considering its high-value pricing.