After 20,000km with Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, this is what it is advisable to know before you purchase

I’m one of many fortunate few Canadians to get their arms on Hyundai’s much-hyped Ioniq 5 electrical car (EV).

Most of my time with the sought-after EV has been resoundingly optimistic. It’s a sleek-looking SUV with a singular retro aesthetic I describe as impressed by Nintendo 64-era blocky graphics (in truth, the automotive’s design is a major motive why I purchased it within the first place). The car handles beautifully, and the battery vary is spectacular underneath most climate situations, however my six months with the automotive haven’t been totally excellent.

From chilly climate vary surprises to exterior bumper chips, and even questions surrounding integral updates, I’ve run into a number of minor issues with my Ioniq 5 over the past a number of months. Proudly owning the EV and never simply borrowing a media car for just a few days, for higher or worse, has allowed me to check the automotive in a approach I really feel few journalists/YouTubers have since its launch.

Nonetheless, after practically 20,000km with the Ioniq 5, I perceive why the Vehicle Journalists Affiliation of Canada named it the 2023 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year — it’s a pleasure.

Battery vary surprises

Whereas I didn’t initially order the rear-wheel drive ‘prolonged vary’ Ioniq 5 as a result of I needed to maintain the car’s price as little as doable (on the time, $46,999), this mannequin arrived on the supplier I bought the automotive from first. Given the shortage of the Ioniq 5, I begrudgingly shelled out the extra $5,000 — and I’m glad I did (I’m additionally very grateful for the $5,000 Federal EV rebate).

Although the RWD Most well-liked Prolonged Vary Ioniq 5 is rated for 488km by Hyundai Canada, I handle nearer to 425-440km in hotter months. For my functions, that is greater than sufficient vary. Nonetheless, when the temperature drops under zero, battery efficiency suffers considerably, leading to roughly 320km-380km normally. This vary is compounded by the truth that Hyundai recommends you solely cost the Ioniq 5 to 80 p.c more often than not and one hundred pc periodically. It’s value noting that vary additionally shifts based mostly on the way you drive the car.

For my scenario, this vary drop isn’t a problem since I don’t are inclined to go on very lengthy journeys and I put in a Stage-2 charger at dwelling (as anticipated, my hydro invoice has elevated barely). That stated, whereas I used to be conscious of the chilly climate vary drop going into buying an EV, I didn’t anticipate it to be this substantial, and I think about many different folks gained’t both.

It’s value noting that the EV charging scenario continues to be relatively difficult. There are a number of charging suppliers on the market, together with Petro-Canada, Flo and ChargePoint, simply to call just a few, they usually all require both an app and an accompanying account or card. I take into account myself fairly tech savvy (I assume I must be since I run MobileSyrup) and located the away-from-home charging course of simple sufficient, however I can’t think about my mother and father’ leaping by means of the hoops of downloading an app, creating an account and including a fee technique for each sort of charger. The important thing takeaway right here is charging your EV continues to be not so simple as pumping fuel.

“I do know there are sooner 150kw chargers on the market that may cost the EV way more rapidly, I simply haven’t encountered them but.”

There’s additionally the difficulty of looking down charging stations. Whereas you need to use Hyundai’s in-car navigation system for this, I discover PlugShare by way of Apple’s CarPlay platform way more helpful. The group-sourced app is form of like Waze for EV house owners. It permits customers so as to add/assessment EV charging stations and is the right instrument for locating a charger once you’re on the go. Talking of chargers, I’ve solely been capable of finding 50Kw chargers in my space (Burlington, Ontario), which, normally, take roughly an hour to cost the Ioniq 5. I do know there are sooner 150kw chargers on the market that may cost the EV way more rapidly; I simply haven’t encountered them but.

The automotive

I’m a giant fan of the look of the Ioniq 5. I’ve by no means seen a automotive prefer it earlier than and its design is a key motive why it’s the car I landed on when it was time for me to buy a brand new automotive. All the things from its blocky design to the distinctive, video game-inspired back and front lights are precisely what I need in a automotive. On that observe, I ended up with ‘Capturing Star Gray’ matte paint. Whereas not my first selection due to the maintenance required to keep up the paint, the matte design kicks up the already distinctive look of the automotive a number of notches.

If you happen to’re fascinated by the matte model of the Ioniq 5, take into account this. First, it’s really useful that you just don’t take it by means of an automated automotive wash. Which means that even within the lifeless of winter, you’ll want to scrub the automotive by hand with cleaning soap particularly designed for matte paint (I’ve been utilizing Chemical Guys’ Meticulous Soap).

Is that this enjoyable? No, however some may really feel the additional work is well worth the flashy paint job. I’m on the fence about it, particularly since it is advisable to be somewhat extra vigilant about hen droppings touchdown on the car, as they will rapidly trigger minor etching within the matte paint — even for those who get a ceramic coating on the automotive (I realized this the onerous approach). Although to be honest, that is true of all automobiles.

The gaming-inspired taillights get me each time.

With that in thoughts, there appears to be a problem with the paint on the Ioniq 5’s matte plastic entrance bumper throughout all fashions and hues. At roughly 10,000km, I began to note chips within the end. Normally, they’re fairly small and never very noticeable, however my Ioniq 5 already has just a few substantial nicks in it. Once more, they’re minuscule, however I can’t assist however surprise how dangerous this part of the bumper will look in just a few years (if it turns into terrible, I’ll probably get that a part of the automotive wrapped in a grey matte color). Whereas rock chips on any car are to be anticipated, I really feel the scenario with this a part of the Ioniq 5’s bumper is worse than what you’ll anticipate from most autos.

I additionally just like the Ioniq 5’s easy inside. There’s not a lot that stands out concerning the within the car, however that’s additionally why it appeals to me. It options clear strains and a pair of expansive shows. Some aren’t keen on the white bezels operating across the edges of the screens and would like they had been black like with Kia’s EV6, however I like them (they form of seem like two iPad minis strapped to the dashboard, however in a cool approach). With this in thoughts, the inside plastic is a smudge magnet, so for those who’re like me and need to preserve the within of your automotive clean-looking, you’ll need to decide up some form of wipe.

No, these aren’t lifeless bugs. The vast majority of these black splotches are literally chips within the entrance bumper’s end.

On the subject of dealing with, the Ioniq 5 controls like a floating cloud for essentially the most half. Its steering is responsive, however not overly tight, providing a chilled-out, informal driving expertise that matches properly with my driving habits. It took me just a few weeks to wrap my head across the Ioniq 5’s dimension given it’s a lot bigger and wider than any car I’ve pushed earlier than. The one draw back, handling-wise, is that the EV’s turning radius isn’t the best. Generally when maneuvering the automotive in crowded parking, a number of three-point turns can flip into five-point turns. I’m additionally a fan of the EV’s Stage 2 Freeway Driving expertise that maintains your velocity and distance between automobiles whereas additionally holding you in between the strains. I solely use it when there’s not a lot site visitors on the street throughout prolonged drives, however it could actually make a protracted journey way more enjoyable.

That prompt torque electrical autos are identified for could be very current right here. As quickly as you faucet the accelerator, even with regenerative braking enabled, you’ll really feel the automotive take off with a jolt. It’s stunning at first, however it’s additionally a variety of enjoyable and I discover I miss that prompt response when utilizing a gas-powered car. As a aspect observe, for those who actually need to really feel the ability the Ioniq 5 presents, flip off regenerative braking and change the automotive to ‘Sport Mode.’ Chances are you’ll need to warn your passengers since you’ll really feel like a Components 1 driver.

It’s value mentioning that I’m coming from a 2014 Ford Fiesta, so a variety of the important thing complaints some folks have concerning the options the Ioniq 5 is lacking don’t hassle me. For instance, I don’t actually care that the EV doesn’t routinely alter the powered diver’s seat to my preferences once I get within the automotive, however I perceive this can be a characteristic most autos on this worth vary usually supply (nevertheless, I do assume it’s ridiculous the Ioniq 5 doesn’t keep in mind your most well-liked regenerative breaking settings). Different missteps like this embrace the shortage of rain-sensing wipers, a powered trunk door, and the automotive locking routinely once you stroll away with the keys. This oversight is of specific curiosity because it’s very apparent once you depart the doorways unlocked, given the handles stick out.

One notable concern I’ve encountered with the car embrace the shortage of a rear wiper. This isn’t a deal breaker, however within the winter months, it could actually get fairly annoying, and in some situations, I wanted to drag over to clear off the again window. Hopefully, future variations of the Ioniq 5 characteristic a rear wiper because it’s a necessity in Canadian winters (if the just lately revealed N version of the car is a sign, it probably will).

Infotainment and updates

Like most producers’ infotainment system apps, Hyundai’s in-car navigation app is fairly common. There’s nothing incorrect with it, however I want Waze’s crowd-sourced group and site visitors info (all of the app wants is EV charger places, and it will be close to excellent). Which means that I discovered myself connecting my iPhone to the EV to make use of Apple’s CarPlay platform by means of a wired connection (the Ioniq 5 doesn’t supply wi-fi CarPlay, sadly, although you’ll be able to rectify this with an adapter)

CarPlay is nice. Whether or not I’m listening to music on Spotify or podcasts by way of Pocket Casts, the expertise is clean and responsive. Nonetheless, that is additionally once I encountered what I’d describe as my first main concern with the automotive. At random intervals, my cellphone disconnected from the automotive’s infotainment system. At first, this occurred often, however the concern acquired so dangerous that in an hour’s drive, the connection dropped over 20 instances.

The Ioniq 5’s inside is easy and understated.

Once I contacted my native Hyundai supplier concerning the concern, they appeared stunned and reluctant to do something about the issue regardless of it being a comparatively widespread flaw (there are a number of Reddit threads about USB connection points). After some convincing, the supplier supplied to exchange the USB port underneath guarantee. I’ve gone on a number of prolonged drives since changing the USB port and have solely encountered one disconnect to date, so I’m hoping the issue is usually solved.

This brings me to my subsequent concern with the automotive. If you happen to had been hoping for Tesla-like over-the-air (OTA) updates that add new options to the Ioniq 5, you’re out of luck. First off, to my understanding, OTA updates aren’t currently available in Canada and certain won’t ever arrive right here. Additional, these updates are solely tied to the automotive’s infotainment system and don’t embrace new performance that impacts notable options or the automotive’s efficiency. Telsa-like updates won’t hit Hyundai’s EVs until the 2025 models release.

When it really works persistently, CarPlay is a good automotive infotainment platform.

Subsequent we’ve the Ioniq 5’s battery preconditioning replace. I reached out to Hyundai again in January and was advised the automaker had nothing to announce relating to the replace releasing in Canada. A fast search on-line reveals it’s a unclear if the replace has formally made its approach right here, with some Ioniq 5 house owners stating that their supplier downloaded and installed the battery preconditioning update, whereas others declare it both isn’t yet available but or might by no means launch in Canada (I haven’t been contacted by my native Hyundai supplier concerning the replace). Including additional confusion to the scenario, it’s unknown if all Canadian Ioniq 5’s qualify for the replace, regardless of each mannequin that includes a warmth pump right here (within the U.S., solely the AWD model qualifies for the battery pre-conditioning replace).

So what’s battery pre-conditioning? If you happen to’re on a protracted drive within the winter and have to cease at a charger, the characteristic heats up the Ioniq 5’s battery as you drive towards your charging vacation spot to permit for sooner charging. The catch right here is it is advisable to use Hyundai’s in-car navigation system (you can also’t run the in-car navigation and Waze concurrently). Since I don’t cost on the go usually, this isn’t a giant concern for me. Nonetheless, battery pre-conditioning presents welcome peace of thoughts. Hopefully, Hyundai Canada makes an official, clear announcement relating to the characteristic within the close to future.

An electrical future

Regardless of the few points I’ve encountered, I’m nonetheless very pleased with my Ioniq 5. That stated, the automotive stays troublesome to purchase, with order instances nonetheless taking as much as two years in some circumstances (I’ve heard that extra orders are beginning to arrive). The car additionally doesn’t supply a completely excellent expertise and options just a few kinks that may probably be ironed out in future iterations, with the bumper chipping and infotainment disconnects being essentially the most notable examples.

Total, my first six months with Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 have been a blast and I sit up for exploring the Canadian EV panorama extra sooner or later, including the Ioniq 6.