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Hyundai Ioniq 5

When I first laid eyes on the Hyundai IONIQ 5, I had mixed feelings. It’s certainly eye-catching, but I wasn’t sure if it had the “wow” factor that would tempt me to buy one. Still, it checked enough boxes to land on my list of “great cars,” and I was curious to see if this 500 km test drive might reveal it as my next electric chariot.

In a rare turn for me, I’ll dive into this with a bit of a “car review” approach, though definitely from a subjective perspective. Technical specs aren’t my primary interest—you can find those on any dealership website. Instead, I’ll focus on what matters to me: design, driving pleasure, and that subtle sound a car makes when it’s on the move.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 cooking in the forest for some pancakes

First Impressions: Style Meets Substance

For me, a car needs to be striking and unique. I was first drawn to Tesla’s minimalist approach, unparalleled acceleration, and futuristic vibe. Many doubted Tesla’s staying power at the start, but time has proven it’s here to stay. In many ways, the IONIQ 5 evokes that same pioneering spirit, with a design that’s both bold and refined.

On this test drive, we took the IONIQ 5 off the beaten path for a meal in the woods, where we even used the car’s power supply to make pancakes on an electric griddle—a novel experience. A group of German tourists nearby saved the day by lending us some cooking oil, and in return, we treated them to a few pancakes. The IONIQ 5’s 800V system supports ultra-fast charging up to 350 kW—a luxury available in only a few models today. With options for rear-wheel drive (217 hp) or all-wheel drive (305 hp), it’s not a race car, but it wins on style. After getting up close, the IONIQ 5 left a much stronger impression than photos could convey.

A Nod to the Concept 45 EV: A Car with Retro-Futuristic Appeal

The IONIQ 5 is inspired by Hyundai’s Concept 45 EV, and, thankfully, it didn’t lose much of its character in the transition from concept to production. Its retro-futuristic look draws eyes and evokes nostalgia, inspired by the 1974 Hyundai Pony—the first true South Korean model. While it appears massive, it’s actually quite compact, balancing the best of both worlds.

One of the IONIQ 5’s standout features is its interior, which feels more like a living room than a car cabin. The back seat is surprisingly spacious—plenty of legroom to sit cross-legged, and it reclines for long trips. The center console can even slide back 140 mm, creating more room to stretch out. Hyundai has used sustainable materials, including sugarcane biocomponents, wool, and polyester yarn, which makes it as eco-friendly as it is stylish.

Driving Impressions and Some Minor Quirks

A must-test feature for any EV, in my opinion, is its semi-autonomous driving capability. The IONIQ 5 handles itself well on the road, as long as I keep my hands on the wheel. But as soon as I let go, it drifts a bit, struggling to stay centered. I found myself wishing for handles that pop out automatically instead of requiring a button push. And, while we’re on the topic, why must cars still have a start/stop button? My personal EV locks itself and shuts down as soon as I walk away—a simple convenience I miss when driving other cars.

There are a few other details Hyundai could refine. The screen bezels are white, which seems like an odd design choice—a black option would look sleeker. And the front logo is huge—maybe a bit too bold for my taste.

The Power of Solar Roofs and Space-Age Energy

One cool feature is the optional solar roof, which can partially charge the car, potentially even while driving (though I didn’t get a chance to test this myself). As more of us see electric power as the future, Hyundai’s approach hints at an even more exciting possibility: harnessing power from space. Imagine a car that recharges using cosmic energy! Adding solar panels doesn’t mean sacrificing a panoramic roof, either. Although you can see the solar cells from inside, the light they let in adds a nice glow without blocking the view.

Hyndai IONIQ5 gets its power from the sun

Is the IONIQ 5 the Perfect Electric Car?

Here are my final thoughts after this journey:

Road noise: Minimal on paved roads, though I didn’t test it on gravel.
Highway stability: It holds steady at 100+ km/h as long as you keep a hand on the wheel.
City maneuverability: Smooth and easy with a good turning radius for parking.
Interior ventilation: Works effectively.
Headlights: Bright and clear, great for nighttime driving.
Sound system and Bluetooth: Solid quality; the music comes through loud and clear.
Visibility to other drivers: Definitely a head-turner, especially when traveling with another IONIQ 5.

Thanks to Hyundai Baltic for the unique experience! I’ll be looking forward to testing a model with solar panels next—who knows, maybe I’ll tap into a bit of that cosmic energy on my next drive. Given the rising trend of vehicle-to-grid technology, where EV batteries feed back into the grid, the IONIQ 5 seems poised to play a part in our sustainable future.