Hyundai Ionic 5 AWD might be the best electric SUV on the road

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Having already garnered multiple awards naming it among the best electric vehicles on the market, the 2023 Hyundai Ionic 5 compact crossover seemed to live up to its star billing during our recent weeklong test.

We could even see it honestly qualifying as the best crossover EV on the market, a designation already given to the car by several entities, including Edmunds, Good Housekeeping and Cars.com.

For 2023, the Ionic 5 comes in three versions, two of them with a single electric motor and rear-wheel drive, beginning at $41,450 (plus $1,295 freight) and ranging as high as $52,600; and one with all-wheel drive, ranging from $49,000 to $56,500.

The single-motor Ionic 5 models come with a choice of two different motors. The base SE Standard Range model ($41,450) has a 125-kilowatt (kW)/168 horsepower motor, and a published range of 220 miles on a single battery charge.

But the next three versions come with a 168-kW motor (225 horsepower), and a published maximum range of 303 miles. They are the SE ($45,500), SEL ($47,450), and Limited ($52,600).

In this report, we will focus on the all-wheel-drive version, which we tested in the top trin level, the Limited, with the $56,500 base price. Also available with all-wheel drive are the entry SE model ($49,000) and midlevel SEL ($50,950).

These AWD models come with a 74-kW front motor and 165-kW rear motor with a combined 320 horsepower, and a driving range of 266 miles between battery charges.

The single-motor model with the 220-mile range comes with a 58 kWh (kilowatt-hour) battery, while all the other models, including the AWD versions, have a 77.4-kWa (lithium-ion) battery.

Hyundai says the larger battery can be recharged from 10% to 80% capacity in about 18 minutes when plugged into a DC fast charger, and can be boosted by about 68 miles of range in as little as five minutes.

These are 480-volt Level 3 chargers that can be found in limited locations, and are not to be confused with 240-volt Level 2 chargers such as those most people with EVs would have installed in their home garages.

The Level 2 chargers can recharge the battery from 10% capacity to full capacity (100%) in just over seven hours, Hyundai says. Charging it through a simple 120-volt residential power outlet can take up to 57 hours, however.

So as for the car itself, there really are no trade-offs in comfort or performance by going all-electric over either gasoline only or gas-electric hybrid. The Ionic 5 comes only with the all-electric drive system, however.

This is an incredibly roomy five-passenger compact crossover, electric or not. Its wheelbase is slightly longer than that of the three-row Hyundai Palisade big crossover, and the front seatbacks use a design that makes them smaller from front to rear, allowing for increased backseat knee room.

Because there are no components under the front floor, the floor is completely flat across the car, with footrests and reclining seats that Hyundai says are helpful for those who want to take naps in them while the car is recharging on a road trip,

Our 2023 Ionic 5 AWD Limited model came with the full-length Vision Panoramic Fixed-Glass Sunroof with power sunshade.

We also had the hands-free rear power liftgate with automatic open, which gave easy access to the roomy cargo compartment.

There is 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seatback in place. That can expand to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded down. The Ionic has abour eight more cubic feet of passenger room and 50 percent more cargo space than the Tesla Model 3.

The Ionic 5 also has a small front trunk with nearly one cubic foot of storage space.

Our vehicle’s dash is unique, with two 12-inch LCD screens side by side, the one on the left for speed and other instrument-panel functions, and the one on the right used for navigation and infotainment features. Both are under a single sheet of glass. There is also a head-up display projected on the lower driver-side windshield, with speed, speed limit and other information.

This vehicle has a 2,300-pound trailer-towing capacity with trailer brakes, or 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes, Hyundai says.

There is 6.1 inches of ground clearance.

An included battery warmer helps preserve driving range in cold weather.

Our tester came with the Atlas White premium exterior color ($400 extra), which was paired with a black-on-black interior H-Tex faux leather upholstery.

Front seats were heated and ventilated. Other standard features included 20-inch allow wheels, LED projector headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, premium front LED accent lighting, remote smart parking assist/forward parking-distance warning/reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control, proximity key with pushbutton start, memory driver’s seat, power-adjustable front bucket seats, heated steering wheel, and LED interior lighting.

Safety technology on the vehicle included Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist; Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist-Rear; Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist; Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist; Driver Attention Warning, Rain-Sensing Wipers, and Safe Exit Warning.

There was also a Surround View camera system with dynamic guidelines, Bose premium audio system with eight speakers, wireless phone charger, USB/media port and 12-volt outlet, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, electronic parking brake, and rear privacy glass.

One very nice feature was the Blind-Spot View Monitor system, which used camaras on each side of the vehicle to show on a dash screen any traffic coming up on the side during turns or lane changes. This feature is triggered by use of the turn signal, with the appropriate side showing up depending on turn-signal position.

Driving the Ionic 5 AWD model with its impressive 320 horsepower was great fun. It can go from zero to 60 mph in less than five seconds, leaving just about everyone else behind when the traffic signal turns green.

The ride was not cushy, but it wasn’t overly hard, either. The front bucket seats were comfortable for our local driving, but we did not take any extended trips. Rear passengers were most comfortable with just two riding, using the pull-down center armrest with its built-in cupholders.

 EPA has rated the Ionic 5 AWD for 113 city/90 highway/101 combined mpg/e (miles per gallon/equivalent), using 33 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 miles.

Total sticker price for our 2023 Ionic 5 AWD Limited model was $58,405, including freight and options.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com or on Twitter @gchambers3. His driving partner Emma Jayne Williams contributed to this report.

The package: Compact, five-door, five-passenger, electric-powered, rear- or all-wheel-drive crossover utility vehicle.

Highlights: Hyundai’s small crossover EV is roomy and comfortable, and has a range of up to 303 miles with rear drive or 266 miles with all-wheel drive.

Negatives: Long trips can be a challenge with battery range.

Motors: 125-k@ (kilowatt) electric motor, base rear-drive model; 168 kW motor, rear-drive other than base; dual motors, 74 kW and 165 kW, all-wheel drive.

Transmission: Single speed.

Power: 168 HP./225 HP./320 HP.

Length: 182.5 inches.

Curb weight range: 3,968-4,414 (single motor, rear drive); 4,464-4,663 pounds (dual-moto, AWD).

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/disc, antilock.

Cargo volume: 27.2 cubic feet (behind rear seat); 59.3 cubic feet (rear seatback folded).

Side air bags: Front seat-mounted; roof-mounted side-curtain for both rows.

Electronic stability control: Standard.

Fuel capacity/type: Lithium-ion battery pack.

EPA fuel economy (mpg-equivalent): 113 city/90 highway/101 combined.

Base price range: $41,450-$52,600, plus $1,295 freight, before any federal or state tax rebates/credits, if available (rear-drive); $49,000-$56,500 (AWD).

Price as tested: $58,405, including freight and options (2023 Ionic 5 AWD Limited).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary.