Hyundai IONIQ 5 gets first nip and tuck, adds new model

The IONIQ 5, Hyundai Motor Co.'s first pure electric vehicle built on its EV-dedicated platform, is poised to greet drivers this month with its retouched looks and enhanced functions. The updates are the first in three years for the model as well as its new sibling, the IONIQ 5 N Line.

The No. 1 South Korean automaker announced on Monday it has upgraded the IONIQ 5 base model, marking the first revamp since its launch in March 2021.

Powered by a fourth-generation battery with a bigger 84.0 kilowatt hours (kWh) capacity, the new crossover EV sport-utility vehicle can drive 485 kilometers on a single charge, versus 458 km on its previous version electrified by a 77.4-kWh battery.  

With a 350 kWh super-fast charger, its battery can be charged by 80% in 18 minutes, the company said.

Along with the performance improvements, its drivers will enjoy enhanced safety features such as a hands-on detection (HOD) steering wheel, lane keeping assist 2, remote smart parking assist 2 (RSPA 2), and forward/side/reverse parking collision-avoidance assist (PCA-F/S/R).

Functions expected to boost user convenience are added through in-vehicle technologies, such as the connected car navigation cockpit (ccNC), an advanced configuration of screens and hardware powered by high-speed processors and a state-of-the-art computing system.

Wireless over-the-air (OTA) software updates to the system will keep the vehicle's major electronic controls up to date.

It is now outfitted with a shock absorber designed to reduce road vibration and improve driving comfort, according to the company.

Some aesthetic alterations include a refined V-shaped garnish and restyled front and rear bumpers, which extend the car’s length by 20 millimeters to 4,655 mm while keeping other external dimensions the same.

To improve its aerodynamic performance, the IONIQ 5 now has a 50-mm-longer rear spoiler.

It is quieter when driving than the old model thanks to various sound insulation features.

It also comes with an intelligent front-lighting system (IFS), a digital key 2, a built-in cam 2 and second-row seat remote folding.

IONIQ 5 N LINE

The IONIQ 5 also welcomes a new variant dubbed the IONIQ 5 N Line, which boasts a more aggressive front and rear design with unique bumpers and stylish side skirts to furnish a sporty, dynamic look and driving experience, according to the company.

It is expected to bridge the gap between the upgraded general model and the high-performance IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai Motor’s first high-performance EV under its N brand, which hit the market last September, the company explained.

Hyundai Motor decided to add the N Line to the IONIQ lineup to meet surging demand for the IONIQ with a sportier look and a dynamic driving experience, the company said.

The enhanced IONIQ 5 and new IONIQ 5 N Line will be available to Korean customers this month before hitting showrooms in other parts of the world later this year. 

To entice more drivers to buy the IONIQ 5, Hyundai Motor will keep the prices of the revamped standard IONIQ 5’s trims the same as their predecessors.

SAFEST, MOST EFFICIENT CAR

Since its market debut in March 2021, the IONIQ 5 has earned several global accolades and awards for its design. performance and safety features.

Among its newest recognitions, the IONIQ 5 crossover Long Range rear-wheel-drive was selected as one of the top 10 most energy-efficient vehicles in the US: it ranked 10th in the efficiency rankings of the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA) with 114 MPGe.

It also earned a Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US late last year.

The IONIQ 5 N won Family Car of the Year at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards in November, two months after its launch.

Write to Jin-Won Kim at jin1@hankyung.com
Sookyung Seo edited this article.