Opinion: Ioniq 5 is proof that Hyundai is an EV industry leader

The more I looked at Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, the further I drove it, the greater became the realisation that here is an electric car you truly want, not an appliance you merely need. The Ioniq 5 is proof of Hyundai’s unbounded ambition; a beautifully conceived product that deserves to transform the way we perceive Brand Hyundai. This is Hyundai at least matching and often surpassing its rivals and now, on this evidence, that must include the premium Germans.

Obviously, it begins with knockout styling that’s truly avant-garde; unique but also appealing. So cleverly do the proportions of the two-box hatchback conceal its size – in photographs you’d swear it’s a Golf competitor – that it comes as a shock to learn the wheelbase stretches to 3000mm – 61mm longer than an E-Class Benz – yet the short overhangs contain length to just 4635mm.

Be in no doubt the Ioniq 5 is a game-changer; a classless car that fundamentally breaks all the benchmarks for size and category and leaves the opposition looking obsolete. Hyundai’s aspirations meant development of a dedicated EV architecture known as the Electric Global Modular Platform (or E-GMP) that places the battery pack under the floor and the main motor at the rear. This year the 5 is joined by the gorgeous, swoopy, shorter-wheelbase Ioniq 6 sedan and, in 2023, by the larger Ioniq 7 SUV (as well as Kia and Genesis variants).

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The Ioniq 5 has a combination of simplicity and detail that deserves your attention. Together they make Hyundai one of the most innovative car makers on the planet. No wonder young designers are increasingly drawn to the Koreans.

There are flush door handles, a lovely clamshell front bonnet, the neat rear spoiler is a wing, with slots allowing air to flow through it, while the solar-panel roof is used to power the car’s ancillary electrical systems and, in certain circumstances, can charge the battery. (For us lovers of automotive trivia: SangYup Lee, the Ioniq 5’s lead designer, spent two years at Holden in 2006/2007 working on the VE Commodore-based Chevrolet Camaro concept.)

The sense of the Ioniq 5 not being what it looks like continues when you move inside. You sit fairly high, with the steering wheel slightly too far away for tall drivers, yet the cabin feels airy, well-equipped and extremely spacious with a great view out. And when could we last say that of a new car?

Don’t think of the Ioniq 5 as sporting – that role will surely belong to the higher performance 6 – rather, this is a comfortably, wonderfully refined cruiser with the natural bodyroll we remember fondly from French cars of 50-odd years ago. There’s plenty of grip and strong, immediate performance, the range stretches to a realistic 375km, and the steering has a reassuring weight.

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Though it encourages hard driving, the 5 feels more relaxed and at home on the motorway where it behaves like a large premium sedan that’s almost Audi A6-like, though with more room.

This perception of premium extends to the build quality. In terms of panel fit, shutlines and material excellence – inside and out – this Hyundai surpasses all but Audi. Yes, it’s that good, the car imparting an imperious experience that enhances its character and makes the $75K price look a bargain and the soon-to-be-released cheaper model even more so.

Flaws? A little more initial impact suppleness over bumps would be appreciated, while Australia doesn’t get the head-up display the car deserves, and reception from the satellite radio isn’t perfect.

I can’t remember when I was more impressed by a new model. If I had a car room (to house the charger) I’d buy one. If this is our motoring future, I’m happy.