Hyundai takes major electric steps
With the Ioniq 5, Hyundai took another step in the field of electric driving. The special EV competes in a higher class than the successful Kona Electric and is, among other things, a challenger to the Tesla Model 3. In this endurance test update, we give the floor to two colleagues who drive those two models every day. What do they think of the Ioniq 5?
As Online Manager, IT specialist Jan Renting is responsible for the technology behind the AutoWeek website. He drove 50,000 kilometers in three years with his Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD. “On paper, the Ioniq 5 AWD seems quite similar, but on the road it turns out to be very different in character. The Tesla is sporty, stiff and – if you like – sickeningly fast.” It took a while for the Ioniq to hit Jan. “The Hyundai is anything but sporty, but completely focused on comfort. It is also fast, but less explosive than the Tesla. I have never experienced the Model 3 as noisy, but the Ioniq 5 is really quiet, as if you are floating above the road. In the front you sit quite high and very relaxed. Compared to the Tesla, the rear passengers have more space. He’s big on the outside too. Parked in my driveway, it is only noticeable how big the car is, it is even a bit wider than the Tesla.”
Whatever car you park the Hyundai iOniq 5 next to, it is remarkably large.
Space interior is disappointing
That creates expectations for the total space supply, but Jan finds that disappointing. “Certainly the luggage space is disappointing. It is long, but not high. And you can hardly call the frunk as such. A family plus holiday luggage for three weeks can easily fit in the Tesla, but that becomes a challenge in the Hyundai. But what I really have to get used to as a Tesla driver is the on and off button! Unlocking the door and starting the car, that is a concept that has been eliminated with the Tesla: you step in mindlessly and drive away. That to me is the big difference between the two cars. The Hyundai was clearly set up by a car manufacturer with a long track record, which partly sticks to old concepts in terms of operation. The Tesla is set up completely the other way around, more from the user’s point of view.”
Tesla Model 3 much more economical than Hyundai iOniq 5
The consumption of the Hyundai was not easy for Jan. “With one third of country roads and two thirds of highways, consumption came out at 20.4 kWh/100km. With the Model 3, under comparable conditions and in summer temperatures, I almost never exceed 16 kWh/100km.” Would the IT person make the switch? “The sporty character and innovative ideas of the Tesla appeal to me more, so I will remain loyal to the American. But I can understand very well that the Hyundai will appeal to many people. It is definitely a very pleasant and above all relaxed car.”
From a Kona
At the end of 2020, editor Jeroen Ekeler exchanged his Citroën Cactus BlueHDi for a Hyundai Kona Electric 64 kWh. “At the time, that was the best and most fun EV up to 45 grand,” he recalls. “The switch meant a small drop in suspension comfort and a slightly larger one in appearance, but this was offset by a deluge of everyday pleasures: the amazing pulling power of course, but also a perfect interface and the pleasant steering paddles that allow you to brake and even stop in a controlled manner. Also nice: the Hyundai has been completely trouble-free for almost 20,000 kilometers.”
The large range was an important purchase argument. “After a return trip to Groningen or Antwerp, there is still a quarter of the battery left. What a freedom that gives! Now in the summer 14 kWh/100 km on the highway is normal. On average I drive 16.8 kWh, with more short journeys than long journeys.” So very satisfied, but Jeroen started at least three times on an email to the leasing company. “Suddenly there was the Ioniq 5, for me by far the most beautiful and intriguing car of the moment. I didn’t send that email. I am not going to break a contract for just a nice jacket.” Still, expectations were high after driving off in the endurance tester. “It could only be disappointing, you would think, but that was certainly not the case. It is a blissful thing, a real flying carpet, which also flies straight to distant horizons, where the Kona always needs some correction. The suspension comfort was the biggest surprise, especially given the enormous wheels of the test car. And we don’t have to talk about appearance: fantastic, also on the inside.”
Not everything turned out to be cake and egg. “No, head and heart started to fight each other more and more viciously. So I didn’t want to admit that the beautiful door handles are really terribly clumsy. And the doors themselves are way too big; you have to be careful they don’t sell you a bang if you swing them open. And in the city, the slow, indirect steering started to irritate, and eventually the weight and size of the car. And braking has to be done more often per pedal than per paddle, which is a big shortcoming compared to the Kona.”
Back in his own car, Jeroen saw his original choice confirmed. “The Kona is more fun, more playful, lighter, smoother, smarter. It’s a choice between a hike with a tireless terrier and a calm evening walk with an overweight labrador.”
The black Hyundai iOniq 5 is an endurance tester from AutoWeek. A story that we hope to be able to make soon is that with the endurance tester in a comparison test with the renewed version with 77 kWh battery pack and preparation function on the battery pack for fast charging. We also want to see how the cameras like door mirrors are. In AutoWeek 36, subscribers and buyers of the magazine were able to read about the ride with the endurance test iOniq 5 to Italy
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl