Hyundai Ionic 5 EV features a range of up to 303 miles on a single charge

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South Korean automaker Hyundai has entered the electric-vehicle market in a big way with its Ionic 5 EV compact crossover, which already has won acclaim from several automotive consumer media outlets.

With its stylish exterior, luxury-like interior, and a range between recharges of up to 303 miles, the Ionic 5 looks to be a good choice among today’s crop of family-focused EVs.

Prices for 2024 range from $41,650 (plus $1,335 freight) for the standard-range, rear-wheel-drive SE model, which reportedly can go up to 220 miles on a charge, to $57,250 for the all-wheel-drive, extended-range Limited model, with an estimated range of 260 miles.

To get the full 303-mile range, however, one would have to leave the $3,900 all-wheel-drive option off of the Limited model. That would have a 2024 base price of $53,350.

That higher range also comes with the front-drive high-range SE model, which starts at $45,700. AWD can be added to this one as well, for the same $3,900. But that drops its range to 260 miles, too.

What makes the difference in the range?

The single-motor, rear-drive Ionic 5 comes with a choice of two different motors. The base SE Standard Range model has a 125-kilowatt (kW)/168 horsepower motor, providing the published range of 220 miles.

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 ($45,700), SEL ($47,250), and Limited ($53,350). The SEL model also can get the AWD option for $3,900 extra.

For this report, we tested the top model, the Limited AWD.

AWD models come with a 74-kW front motor and 165-kW rear motor with a combined 320 horsepower, and the published driving range of 260 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. An included battery warmer helps preserve driving range in cold weather.

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, according to EPA estimates. Charging the battery through a simple 120-volt residential power outlet can take up to 57 hours, however.

Ionic 5 is a roomy five-passenger crossover. The 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 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.

A roomy 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space is available when the rear seatback is up. But that expands to 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded. The Ionic has about eight cubic feet more passenger room and 50 percent more cargo space than the Tesla Model 3. The Ionic 5 also has a small front trunk with nearly a cubic foot of storage space.

The 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 one on the right 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.

Ionic 5 has a 2,300-pound trailer-towing capacity with trailer brakes, or 1,650 pounds without trailer brakes. There is 6.1 inches of ground clearance.

The test vehicle, which was the 2023 model, came with the Atlas White premium exterior color ($450 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.

Included is the Hyundai Blind-Spot View Monitor system, which uses 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 the 2024 Ionic 5 AWD Limited model with the premium paint and floor mats is $59,245, including freight. Our tester was the 2023 model, with a total sticker price of $58,405, equipped identically.

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 X @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: $41,650-$57,2500, plus $1,335 freight, before any federal or state tax rebates/credits, if available.

Price as tested: $58,405, including freight and options (2023 Ionic 5 AWD Limited). The price for the same 2024 model is $59,245.

On the Road rating: 8.5 (of a possible 10).

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