Sometimes, we see a car in photos and they don’t give the full picture. Sometimes the photos don’t do the true car justice. Sometimes they hide a multitude of sins. In the case of the IONIQ 5, the pictures got it about right, except one thing. The size.
When I first saw the pictures it was different to establish what size the IONIQ 5 is. City car? Hatchback? Full-size SUV? With no reference points it was pretty hard to tell. Spoiler alert: the IONIQ 5 is big.
The wheelbase of an IONIQ 5 is 3m. 3 whole metres, longer than a Range Rover, so it’s a big car. But although it is massive, it doesn’t feel excessively big to look at (unlike some SUVs that look like small tanks heading towards you).
The exterior of the IONIQ 5 is, controversial, but I love it. All the creases and retro boxiness just works for me. At the front, it’s bold. Some may hate the looks, but I like it. Towards the rear, there’s a beautiful pixelated rear light clusters. In fact, pixels are all over this car, in the charging port and moving through to the interior.
Speaking of the interior, it’s lovely in there. There’s 2 12.3 inch screens, one touchscreen, one not. The latter displays all the important driver information (speed, state of charge, etc) and the touchscreen delivers all the information you’d expect. But not the climate control! Thankfully, it’s a separate cluster of touch sensitive buttons near some physical buttons to accompany the touch screen.
However, a car interior is way more than touchscreens. The IONIQ 5, like many EVs, has a completely flat floor and many, many spaces to lose store your precious belongings and two USBs in the front. A further point to note is that the IONIQ 5 bears a very nice two spoke wheel.
Moving to the back seats there is more flat floor action and some very comfortable seats (made from recycled materials). Also in the rear is two USBs and (in the UK at least) a 3-pin plug socket.
As with any EV, many of you will want to know about charging and range. The IONIQ 5 I was in had the lesser battery pack at 58kW with a WLTP range of 240 miles. However there is a 73kW option that in rear wheel drive configuration can travel up to 300 miles.
As for charging, the IONIQ 5 can rapid charge at up to 350kW. If you can find a charger that quick, the big battery, 73kW car can charge from 0-80% in 17 minutes.
Hopefully you enjoyed, and learnt something from my first car review. If you did, do leave a comment, if you didn’t, also leave a comment.
Published in Reviews
Great article!
I really like the vehicle. It looks good. It’s the interior where it lets down. Silver buttons and knob. NO. Glare. It’s why I don’t even look at Nissan. Silver surfaces reflect light into the eye of the driver. It also makes it difficult to quickly differentiate between buttons. Dangerous especially on long hauls at dusk. This, unfortunately, includes the screens in front of the driver. Again, glare. Won’t have anything to do with owning or driving one of these for these two reasons. Honestly, I don’t understand why manufacturer’s do this. All they have to do is ask one older driver about these things for a clue.
Here’s the obligatory, “now stay off my lawn”! -old guy
Didn’t think of that, but good point. White buttons would have the same effect and less glare.
Yep, anything but silver. Has been a gripe of mine for decades. I want to love some Nissan products, as well as Acura, but the silver on the dash and 1980’s silver buttons has stopped any such search cold. Even charcoal grey would be better than sliver or worse, chrome.