If you’re going to buy an electric SUV, don’t miss our extensive test in Auto Review 11. In it, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 competes against the Audi Q4 E-Tron and the BMW iX3. On the site we focus on the advantages of the Ioniq 5.
We start with bad news: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 does not have the largest range. That honor goes to the BMW iX3, as you can read in the post below.
Space: Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the most spacious electric SUV
By stretching the wheelbase to a limousine-like three meters, Hyundai manages to create a very spacious and open interior. Between the front seats is no annoying center tunnel and with the Lounge version you can adjust the rear seats electrically and the front seats ‘lay flat’ for a beauty sleep.
The interior space of the Audi Q4 E-Tron is a bit disappointing. It stands on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.4, but it gives its driver more freedom of movement. The culprits are the large dashboard and thick door panels. Because BMW has taken the spacious X3 as a basis, the iX3 offers more interior space than the Audi. But he does not reach the level of the Hyundai.
Towing weight: highest towing weight for Ioniq 5 4WD
A Hyundai Ioniq with four-wheel drive is allowed to tow a 1,600 kg braked trailer. The towing weight of the Audi Q4 E-Tron 50 quattro is 1200 kilos and the BMW iX3 throws in the charging cable at 750 kilos.
Brakes: Hyundai throws out the biggest anchor
The Audi Q4 E-Tron and the BMW iX3 need about 35 meters to come to a stop at 100 km/h during an emergency stop. The Ioniq 5 manages to eat another meter there.
Dynamics: driving pleasure from South Korea
With the Ioniq 5, Hyundai does not care about Audi’s rallying past or BMW’s sporty character. Steering, traction, braking control, driving pleasure – everything works perfectly in sport mode. The four-wheel drive Ioniq 5 may offer little lateral support and sometimes lean fanatically, but its sporting ambitions do not care about that.
Audi and BMW have fine-tuned their electronic control systems. The drivers of the Q4 E-Tron and the iX3 are watched closely as they exit every corner.
Fast charging: full battery in 18 minutes
The Audi has a charging capacity of 125 kW, the BMW goes up to 150 kW and the Ioniq 5 draws no less than 220 kW from the fast charger. So the Hyundai may not have the greatest range, but if you’re going to cover long distances, it makes up for everything with the fast charger. We tested it: the Ioniq 5 goes from 10 to 80 percent battery charge in just 18 minutes. The Q4 E-Tron and the iX3 are then only half full…
Price: the Hyundai is cheaper than the Audi and the BMW
BMW supplies a luxury and an even more luxurious version of the iX3, for 69,000 and 75,000 euros respectively. There is nothing to choose from in terms of battery capacity or the number of electric motors.
The Audi Q4 E-Tron has a base price of 48,155 euros and the tested Q4 50 E-Tron Quattro starts at 64,675 euros.
The cheapest Ioniq 5 even costs ‘only’ 43,500 euros. Our test car is a limited and sold-out Project 45 version, so we calculate with the Lounge top model of 59,700 euros. A large amount, absolutely, but it is cheaper than with Audi and BMW.
Curious about the full test from Auto Review 11/2021 and the test items on which the BMW iX3 and the Audi Q4 E-Tron score better than the Hyundai Ioniq 5? Order Auto Review 11 in our webshop.