2022 IONIQ 5 Kicks Off Hyundai's Major EV Push

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Hyundai recently announced major plans for 23 electric vehicles, a few of which will slot in under the South Korean automaker's new IONIQ sub-brand. The first of those, the 2022 IONIQ 5, just made its official debut. The striking crossover is nearly identical to the Hyundai 45 concept that came out last month, boasts some high-tech charging features, multiple powertrain configurations, and a cabin that prioritizes comfort.


Just Like The Concept


The IONIQ 5 is the first vehicle from Hyundai that's been designed as an all-electric vehicle, sitting on the brand's new Electric-Global Modular Platform. That platform features a flat battery floor, allowing designers to ditch a traditional transmission tunnel, while drive-by-wire and steer-by-wire tech mean there's no need for a steering column. These two items allow the IONIQ 5 to have a large amount of interior space for a vehicle of its size.


On the powertrain front, the IONIQ 5 will be available in four configurations that include rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, a Standard Range battery pack, and a Long Range battery pack. The Standard Range pack with rear-wheel drive features a 58-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that routes power to a 160-kW motor on the rear axle for 218 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. With all-wheel drive and the Standard Range pack, the extra electric motor bumps power up to 235 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. The Long Range battery pack is a different story. In North America, we're going to get the 77.4-kWh pack, while other countries will get a smaller 72.6-kWh unit. The IONIQ 5 Long Range AWD produces 306 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque.


When it comes to range, the IONIQ 5 has only been rated on the European WLTP cycle. When equipped with the 58-kWh battery pack and the 160-kW motor, the EV is rated to get roughly 300 miles. Again, that's on the WLTP cycle and not on the EPA's, which tends to be far more rigorous.


High Tech Features


The IONIQ 5 really raises the bar in the charging department. The EV features Hyundai's latest fast-charging tech that lets drivers forget all about range anxiety. With the standard J1772 combined charging system port and a DC fast-charger, the IONIQ 5 can recharge at a rate of up to 350 kW. That will see the EV go from 10 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes. If you only have 5 minutes to wait on charging, you'll see 62 miles of range. Charge times for slower levels of voltage haven't been outlined yet. Solar panels should also provide a little bit of range back.


If you have something else that could use a charge, the IONIQ 5 can be used as a charger thanks to Vehicle-to-Load charging. V2L allows the IONIQ 5 to charge items like camping equipment, computers, or electric bicycles, though the charging rate is capped at about 3.6 kW.


On the tech front, the IONIQ 5 will come with Hyundai's Highway Driver Assist 2 system, which is classified as a Level 2 driver-assist system. The system lets the vehicle do the majority of driving on the highway without any intervention from the driver. It can also change lanes by just activating the turn signal. The head-up display features augmented reality to project information onto the windshield. 


The 2022 IONIQ 5 is the first all-electric vehicle in the new IONIQ sub-brand family. Hyundai is expected to come out with the IONIQ 6 sedan and IONIQ 7 SUV, which are expected to come out in 2022 and 2024, respectively. Interested buyers will be able to purchase the IONIQ 5 in the U.S. later this fall.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods