- Fresh new electric vehicle
- Futuristic-yet-retro design
- Excellent technology
- 300-plus mile range
- Amenities galore
- Pricing starts at $41,450 (plus $1,295 destination) | Price yours
- On sale now | See 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 models for sale near you
Electric vehicles (EVs) have been slowly but steadily merging into the mainstream for over a decade now. In some parts of the country like the West Coast, they are so common that they’ve just become another part of the automotive landscape. And in regions where EVs aren’t yet ordinary, change is coming — our research shows that more and more buyers are purchasing EVs or are at least considering one for their next vehicle.
Whether you’re an early adopter or merely curious, you should turn your attention to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It has certainly garnered ours, with this new EV winning not just our Best Buy Award in the Electric Vehicle segment, but adding yet another jewel to its crown as our pick for Best New Model.
A Watershed Vehicle
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is not Hyundai’s first electric vehicle. But it’s a watershed vehicle for the brand all the same. While the automaker has been selling battery-powered versions of its Kona subcompact SUV and Ioniq hatchback for several years now, the Ioniq 5 is Hyundai’s first vehicle built from the ground up as an EV.
That means everything from its chassis to interior was designed with an electric powertrain in mind, one that houses a motor — or motors, if you opt for all-wheel drive (AWD) instead of rear-wheel drive (RWD) — and a battery that can provide up to 303 miles of range on a single charge.
Pragmatism Pays Off
That pragmatic engineering pays dividends in interior space. When everything is placed below a flat frame like a skateboard — and without the fuss of driveshafts and the other usual mechanicals of a gas-powered car — you get a far roomier cabin than expected. And that’s the case with the Ioniq 5. Its two rows of seats provide ample space, and the interior is as light as a spring day.
The interior is also a wonderful paradigm of high-tech yet modern simplicity. With wide-screen displays supplemented by plenty of physical controls, it feels futuristic yet familiar.
But let’s admit it: The first thing most will notice about the Ioniq 5 is its exterior. And could it be cooler?
That Spunky Design
The Ioniq 5 has an exterior design that is truly one-of-a-kind. There are those pixel lights, oodles of angles, and a squat stance that is somehow tough yet winsome at the same time. It’s like an 8-bit video game reborn for the modern, physical world. You just can’t help but want to get behind the wheel.
When you do that, you are further rewarded. We found the Ioniq 5 to be quick and planted. And what’s notable about noise levels is how low they are. No rumble of an engine, remember? Beyond rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, the Ioniq 5 can be had in three different power levels, from 168 to 320 horsepower. Range spans from 220 to 303 miles per charge.
Speaking of charge, it has the ability to juice up from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes on a DC fast charger, and the top trim even features vehicle-to-load (V2L) technology to power other devices.
Everyday Pricing
The cherry on top of the Ioniq 5’s cake is its price. This Hyundai EV begins at $41,450, and even in top form, is only $52,600. With the average cost of a new vehicle now standing at over $48,000, those figures are in line with real-world transactions.
That money gets you one of the most standout-looking vehicles on the road, all the latest tech and safety features, and, of course, Hyundai’s amazing warranty that covers 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain. And it’s all wrapped with a bow on a vehicle that will never, ever require a drop of gasoline.
Photo Tour: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
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Our 2023 Best Buy Award Winners
- Best Subcompact SUV: 2023 Kia Seltos
- Best Compact SUV: 2023 Honda CR-V
- Best 2-Row Midsize SUV: 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
- Best 3-Row Midsize SUV: 2023 Kia Telluride
- Best Full-Size SUV: 2023 Ford Expedition
- Best Subcompact Luxury SUV: 2023 BMW X1
- Best Compact Luxury SUV: 2023 Genesis GV70
- Best Midsize Luxury SUV: 2023 Genesis GV80
- Best Compact Car: 2023 Honda Civic
- Best Midsize Car: 2023 Honda Accord
- Best Luxury Car: 2023 Lexus ES
- Best EV Under $35,000: 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
- Best Electric Vehicle: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Best PHEV: 2023 Kia Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
- Best Compact Truck: 2023 Ford Maverick
- Best Midsize Truck: 2023 Toyota Tacoma
- Best Full-Size Truck: 2023 Ford F-150
- Best Electric Truck: 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
- Best Minivan: 2023 Toyota Sienna
- 2023 Best Buy Awards Home
