ON TEST: HYUNDAI IONIQ 5
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
We’ve come a long way since the Pony Gold Medal Hyundai’s transformation from bit-part player to global sales powerhouse continues with the IONIQ 5. Andrew Walker considers just how far the company has come since its first foray into the UK market
W
ay back in the summer of 1988, while working for a driving schools publication, I had the opportunity to drive a Hyundai, the Pony Gold Medal. This was a special edition Pony, launched to coincide with that year’s Seoul Olympics. Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, the Pony cost under £7,000 and was the Korean giant’s first real foray into the UK car market. Over time, each Hyundai that arrived in Europe took the brand closer to its European competitors. In recent years I’ve driven the Accent, the Getz and, finally, the i20, which brings us right up to date. It wasn’t these model’s per se that have evolved into the brand’s latest offering, the
24 | December 2021 | Company Car & Van
electric IONIQ 5, but I like to think that every Hyundai car has contributed in some way to its current position. The IONIQ 5 is the first model in Hyundai’s new electric range and will be followed shortly by the IONIQ 6. The odd numbers will represent new Hyundai electric SUVs, while the even numbers, hatchbacks or saloons. On the IONIQ 5 there are three range options. The entry is a 58kW battery driving a single 168bhp motor and offering a 240-mile range. The 73kW version comes with 214bhp and a 280-mile range. And finally, you can opt for the most powerful 301bhp version, with a dual motor set-up and 4WD, which comes with a 267-mile range. Whichever model you choose, the IONIQ also supports 800v charging, so you can top up where offered from 10-80% in just 18 minutes.
powered boot. As with our Premium test car, you can also add the ‘Vehicle 2 Load’ (V2L) pack, which makes it possible to power or charge external devices using the car as an electricity source. Ultimate spec is only available with the 73kW battery and takes the alloys up to 20”, adds leather upholstery, privacy glass, black exterior trim, electrically adjustable and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a Bose sound system, a head-up display, alloy pedals, V2L as standard and a sliding centre console. Safety equipment increases by trim as well. So SE Connect gets adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. Premium adds a surround view mirror, Blind Spot and junction collision avoidance, as well as Highway Drive Assist Level 2, which enables the car to change lanes autonomously.
Trims and equipment Three trims are available: SE Connect, Premium and Ultimate. SE Connect comes with 19” alloy wheels, cloth upholstery from ‘naturally derived polyester resin’, a 12.3” infotainment display, SatNav, wireless phone charging, a rear view camera Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium adds a powered driver’s seat, front seat heating, LED projector headlights and a
External appearance The first thing to say is that this is no shrinking violet and it’s the boldest car design yet to emerge from South Korea. The front features rectangular LED lights, located behind a dark glass strip, with another strip right across the back. It looks smooth and buffed all over. The look is further enhanced by our test car’s matt grey paint finish. Continued on page 26 www.companycarandvan.co.uk
