Hyundai IONIQ 5

First Impressions

When I picked up the IONIQ 5 First Edition, I was struck all over again by how timeless the design feels. Two years on the market, and this car still turns heads. The pixel-LED front and rear lights are instantly recognizable, and that wedge-shaped profile—which Hyundai calls a crossover but feels like a hatchback—is uniquely purposeful. The new price point makes it genuinely interesting as a proposition. What surprised me most was finding out it uses an 800-volt battery system with 350kW peak DC charging capability. For an EV that's been on sale for two years, that's genuinely advanced tech that most competitors still don't have.

Design and Exterior

The IONIQ 5's design language is unapologetically retro-futuristic—think Back to the Future meets 1980s arcade aesthetics. The parametric pixel LED lights aren't just a gimmick; they define the car's character in a way that feels intentional and distinctive. Even the Active Air Flap on the grille shows attention to aerodynamic detail. The 20-inch wheels on this First Edition trim are substantial and properly muscular. What impresses me most is how well it's aged. The proportions, the surface details, the window line—none of it feels dated or overdone.

Interior Space and Practicality

Here's where the IONIQ 5 genuinely excels. The wheelbase stretches to 3 meters—that's BMW 5 Series territory—which floods the cabin with space. I measured just over 3 hand-spans of rear legroom with the front seat occupied. For a car that looks this compact from outside, the room inside is genuinely surprising. The rear seats slide forward and back, tilt recline to near-horizontal, and feature a Zero Gravity mode that transforms the car into a surprisingly comfortable rest space.

The modular console is genius: the center bin slides left and right to accommodate larger items, and there are clever storage cubbies everywhere. The cabin feels light and airy thanks to the large panoramic sunroof. Materials throughout feel intentional—the leather is substantial, the soft-touch plastics are genuinely soft, and the ambient lighting with the retro-inspired horizontal strip of controls across the dash creates a cabin that's both functional and genuinely likeable.

Driving Experience

In Sport mode, the IONIQ 5 First Edition feels genuinely fun. The rear-wheel-drive layout gives it a playful character, and 217 horsepower delivers proper punch. I timed 0-100 km/h at around 7.5 seconds—respectable for an EV of this size. The 0-80 km/h crossover time came in at 4.85 seconds, which shows real urgency when you need it.

What works less well is the suspension tuning. The High Performance Dampers feel soft-biased, prioritizing comfort over sportiness. Above 130 km/h on undulating roads, you start to notice a gentle floatiness that suggests the setup is engineering for family use rather than enthusiast driving. The steering has decent weight in Sport mode, but the accelerator and brake pedals feel overly soft and lack the mechanical feedback I'd expect on a top trim. It's competent, composed, and genuinely fun when you push it, but it's not a car engineered to satisfy someone hunting track-day thrills.

Technology and Features

The 12.3-inch dual touchscreen isn't the largest on the market, but the white frame and retro design language make it feel purposeful rather than undersized. There's proper phone integration and the obligatory modern conveniences—climate zones, power tailgate, ambient lighting.

The Smart Cruise Control with lane-keeping works, but it's basic. It'll maintain speed and track the car ahead, but it won't follow corners—the steering doesn't engage in curves. Compared to some rivals, especially Chinese brands at this price point, the ADAS suite feels less sophisticated than it should be. That said, the core infotainment experience is straightforward and doesn't feel outdated.

Verdict

The IONIQ 5 First Edition remains a genuinely well-rounded package. The design is distinctive, the space is remarkable, and it offers real driving character without pretending to be something it isn't. It's best suited to someone who wants a stylish, practical family EV that can deliver genuine fun when the mood strikes—not a car engineered purely for daily commuting or pure performance.

After two years on sale, facing fierce competition and pricing pressure, it still holds its ground. The 800-volt charging, the inventive interior, and that unmistakable design language all contribute to a car that feels ahead of its time. If you can live with suspension tuning that prioritizes comfort over sportiness and ADAS features that are functional rather than cutting-edge, you're buying a very clever piece of automotive design.