Summary
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the company’s first purpose-built electric car and heralds the start of Hyundai’s new Ioniq EV sub-brand. The Ioniq 5 has been collecting plenty of admirers since its 2021 release, as Hyundai sets its sights on becoming a mainstream EV brand.
With a unique retro-futuristic exterior design that looks like it comes straight from the concept art of the Back to the Future movies, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 became a highlight for the motoring media in 2021. It also won Best Medium Car at our 2021 Car of the Year Awards, before going on to be named World Car of the Year for 2022.
Top Gear has called the Ioniq 5’s design “sensational”, while The Sunday Times commented that “If a vehicle were judged solely on its looks, the Ioniq 5 would be the car of the decade.”
Borrowing the ‘Ioniq’ moniker from predecessors like the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, the Ioniq 5 his being heralded by many as a key model in the development of the electric car. Along with the closely related Kia EV6, it looks set to challenge more expensive models like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, and the Polestar 2.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has earned praise from Auto Express for its “practical battery range and charging ability that sets it apart from its rivals.” The Ioniq 5 supports ultra-fast charging, capable of taking the battery from 10-80% in less than 20 minutes, something no other EV in its price range can match.
As of January 2025, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a New Car Expert Rating of A, with an outstanding score of 82%. Its media reviews are excellent and it produces zero tailpipe emissions, while its running costs are generally very good as is its safety rating.
Ioniq 5 highlights
- Stylish retro-modern exterior
- Roomy and practical interior
- Impressive infotainment system
- Unmatched battery charging ability
Ioniq 5 lowlights
- Top range models get pricey
- Unforgiving ride comfort
- Retro styling may not age well
Key specifications
Body style: Medium hatchback
Power unit: electric motor, battery-powered
Price: From £39,900 on-road
Launched: Spring 2021
Last updated: Autumn 2024
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Ioniq 5 Premium 77kWh AWD
Score: 8.2 / 10
“It’s more than three years old now, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is still one of the best new EVs you can buy. It’s whisper-quiet, smooth and relaxing to drive, while the sharp styling is still a stand-out feature and looks like nothing else on the road. The tech is good and everything works well, so your EV learning curve should be relatively short.”
Author: Stuart Masson
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The retro-modern Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a supremely talented all-electric family car that’s hard to fault.”
Author: Alastair Crooks
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Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an impressive all-electric family car, with loads of space inside, stylish looks and plenty of range.”
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Business Car
Model reviewed: Namsan Edition (2023)
Score: 8 / 10
“We’re not sure the Namsan showcases the mechanical upgrades at their best. This Ioniq 5 doesn’t feel short of power, but this Hyundai EV already felt hefty – even without the extra weight from the improved battery pack.” (Martyn Collins)
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Model reviewed: Premium 73kWh RWD
Score: 9 / 10
“Hyundai really is at the top of its game with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. A deserving award winner, it really will give EV rivals a headache as it’s such a complete car and thankfully very different proposition to its Kia EV6 sister car.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 73kWh Premium
Score: 9 / 10
“The Ioniq 5 catapults Hyundai – already a manufacturer with strong EV credentials – toward the top of the class, even among some very talented rivals, such as the Skoda Enyaq iV and Ford Mustang Mach-E.”
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Car
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an absolute show-stopper to look at, it has a thoroughly usable, spacious and appealing interior brimming with technology and neat tricks, it’s quick and its handling treads a fine balance between sporty and comfortable. We’d recommend a Premium-spec one with the 77kWh battery pack for the most range and a long equipment list.” (Tim Pollard)
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 310hp Ultimate AWD
Score: 10 / 10
“With its incredibly cool styling and refreshing approach to interior design, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an EV that stands out from the crowd. In its most powerful form, it’s a lot of fun to drive too, while the long electric range and stand-out rapid charging speeds really put it into a league of its own.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the first purpose-built electric car for Hyundai’s EV brand, and it’s a cracker.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq 5’s incredible retro styling really stands out, and it has a plush, comfortable interior that’s very spacious. Alternatives can go further on a charge, though.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD 73kWh Ultimate
“Striking design, well-crafted interior and performance that stacks up against some top-notch compact premium executive EV competition.”
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Daily Mail
Model reviewed: Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD 73kWh Ultimate
“Stepping into the elegant cabin of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, I half expected to hear the epic strains of Also Sprach Zarathustra — the stirring music used in Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey.”
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Discover EV
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“With standout retro looks, spacious and practical interior and a good range the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a fine family car and stands out against premium electric rivals.”
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Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“With more presence than most supercars, ultra-rapid charging capability and luxury-car-like ride quality and interior comfort, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is hard to fault.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
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Fleetworld
Model reviewed: 58kWh SE Connect
Score: 8 / 10
“Stylish, impressive interior space and it’s capable of super-fast charging speeds. The Ioniq 5 will change perceptions of the Hyundai brand.”
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Green Car Guide
Model reviewed: 73kWh Premium
Score: 10 / 10
“The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a very impressive all-round car. It has a refined, premium feel, distinctive looks, it’s spacious, and it has a range of almost 300 miles. It’s also more affordable than many rivals.” (Paul Clarke)
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Model reviewed: Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD 73kWh Ultimate
Score: 9 / 10
“While the Ioniq 5’s styling will undoubtedly polarise some opinions, it’s better value than the Audi Q4 and arguably makes far more of a statement than the likes of the Skoda Enyaq or VW ID.4. You certainly couldn’t mistake it for anything else.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“Good battery range of up to 298 miles. Rapid charging as standard, able to add 62 miles of driving range in five minutes.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“There’s so much to recommend the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for, and very little to criticise, but its biggest problem is that the Kia EV6 does everything just a little bit better. That’s not to say you should dismiss this car – it’s close enough to its Korean sister car to still be worth a very close look.”
Author: Keith Adams
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The Sun
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The mega-fast 800v charging tech adds 62 miles of range in just five minutes. The only other car that can do that today is a Porsche Taycan. But this isn’t Porsche money. This is a £37k Hyundai.”
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The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD 73kWh Ultimate
Score: 8 / 10
“If a vehicle were judged solely on its looks, the Ioniq 5 would be the car of the decade. The exterior is a masterpiece of modern retro design, while the interior is beautifully laid out and fabulously practical.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 73kWh Premium AWD
Score: 10 / 10
“Few people buy electric cars like this to hurl them at back roads. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 instead scores where it matters; it’s spacious, versatile, and practical, and in Premium form at least, it’s comfortable around town and on the motorway. It also handles tidily, if not particularly excitingly.”
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Model reviewed: 73kWh 4×4 Ultimate
Score: 8 / 10
“The terrific looks and lovely interior are the main attractions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but are they attractive enough to justify the dreadful ride quality? While you might think so, I feel it’s too high a price to pay on this model, although smaller wheels on a rear-wheel-drive model might change my mind.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“A sensational-looking all-electric crossover that blurs boundaries, challenges the status quo, and makes us yearn for a Korean hatchback.”
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Which EV?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.7 / 10
“The Ioniq 5 makes a real statement about Hyundai’s position in the market: this isn’t just a great value car, it’s a great car full stop. The AWD version is superb to drive, and all cars have an immensely practical amount of space for passengers and cargo. The technology is cutting edge with lots of welcome touches. Maybe this isn’t the direct Tesla competitor some have called it, but the Ioniq 5 is still one of the best EVs on the market.” (James Morris)
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Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 88%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 63%
Safety assist: 88%
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
Model tested: 58 kWh Electric RWD Automatic
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review
Energy Efficiency Index: 9.1 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 9.3 / 10
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Ioniq 5 has scored very highly in Green NCAP testing, achieving a full five-star rating.
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively for us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Ioniq 5, we’ll publish the score here.
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 317 miles | A | 238 – 354 miles | A – B |
Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
EV models | 3.9 m/KWh | C | 3.6 – 6.6 m/KWh | A – D |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 38 | C | 29 – 41 | C – D |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £300 | C |
Year 2 | £584 | B |
Year 3 | £934 | B |
Year 4 | £1,153 | B |
Year 5 | £1,451 | B |
Overall | £4,422 | B |
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 should be a reasonably cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our technical partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is average, but decent battery sizes mean that the Ioniq 5 still gives plenty of range between charges.
Insurance is middling, but servicing costs are better than average – and stay that way over the first five years, which is reassuring for both new and used Ioniq 5 buyers.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Hyundai Ioniq 5
Date: May 2024
Recall number: R/2024/169
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2023 to 02/2023
Number of vehicles affected: 134
Defect: On affected vehicles the rear inner driveshaft may develop noise resulting in a loss of drive.
Remedy: On all affected vehicles replace the affected driveshaft and check properly fastened
Date: May 2024
Recall number: R/2024/164
Model types: All
Build dates: 01/2021 to 02/2024
Number of vehicles affected: 16,297
Defect: On affected vehicles, the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may be come defective and stop charging the 12-volt battery. This can result in the vehicle entering a failsafe driving mode
Remedy: On all affected vehicles, update the ICCU software and check and replace, if necessary, the ICCU and fuse.
Date: May 2024
Recall number: R/2023/041
Model types: All
Build dates: 07/2022 to 11/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 1,078
Defect: The vehicle identification number label may not have the correct maximum permissible laden mass printed on the VIN label.
Remedy: Replace the vehicle identification number label with an amended VIN label.
Date: June 2022
Recall number: R/2022/160
Model types: All
Build dates: 09/2020 to 05/2022
Number of vehicles affected: 6,061
Defect: The electronic parking pawl actuator system may disengage the Park (“P”) position.
Remedy: A software update will be applied to the SCU (shift-by-wire control unit) to prevent the issue from occurring.
As of January 2025, there have been four DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the Hyundai Ioniq 5, covering various issues.
Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Hyundai dealer.
If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used Ioniq 5, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has received
2023
- Auto Trader Awards – Most Loved Car
- Company Car and Van Awards – Best Large Electric Car
2022
- World Car Awards – World Car of the Year + World Electric Vehicle of the Year + World Car Design of the Year
- UK Car of the Year Awards – Car of the Year + Best Family Car
- Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Car of the Year + Best Premium EV
- Motor Trader Awards – New Car of the Year
2021
- The Car Expert Awards – Best Medium Car
- Auto Express Awards – Car of the Year + Best Mid-size Company Car + Best Premium Electric Car + Best Design
- Business Car Awards – One to Watch
- Carbuyer Awards – Best Company Car + Best Family Electric Car
- News UK Motoring Awards – Best Design + Motoring Innovation Award
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Hyundai Ioniq 5, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E | Hyundai Kona Electric | Kia e-Niro | Kia EV6 | Mercedes-Benz EQA | Nissan Ariya | Polestar 2 | Skoda Enyaq iV | Tesla Model Y | Volkswagen ID.4 | Volvo XC40 Recharge
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at The Car Expert
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