Hyundai looks to its past and the future with the Ioniq 5

2021 Hyundai Ioniq 5 blends tradition and technology in one EV package

Hyundai has been working on its new lineup of electric vehicles for quite a long time. The automaker even took the Ioniq name and turned it into a subbrand for all things electric last year. Now, it's time to meet the first member of the Ioniq family – an electric crossover called the Ioniq 5. While it might be inspired by the brand's first production car, the Pony, it is anything but small.

The 2021 Ioniq 5 rides on Hyundai's new E-GMP platform and is essentially the production version of the 45 Concept from 2019. The design of the Ioniq 5 remains relatively unchanged from the concept as well, featuring the same angular appearance paired with sharp lines all around. Hyundai even retained the recessed headlight and taillights with a rectangular design.

Other noticeable design features include pop-out door handles, giving the crossover a clean look. The electric crossover also sports a clamshell hood in place of a traditional hood design. Though the photos show the vehicle with glass side mirrors, cameras are available for select markets.

While they may look small in the photos, the wheels are 20-inches large. That alone should give you an idea regarding the size of the vehicle. The Ioniq 5 measures 4,635 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,605 mm tall. It also has a lengthy 3,000 mm wheelbase, even longer than the Palisade. With that, Hyundai claims the EV crossover offers interior space similar to a larger vehicle.

Hyundai claims the cabin is spacious, both front and rear. They took advantage of the EV platform by providing a completely flat floor. Thanks to this layout, passengers can benefit from extra legroom. Designers also created a sliding center console, which can be slid back by up to 450 mm. Meanwhile, the dashboard is dominated by a pair of 12-inch screens, one as infotainment the other as an instrument cluster. There's also a heads-up display with augmented reality support.

As for the powertrain, customers can choose between two battery options, either a 58 kWh or a 72.6 kWh unit. There are also two electric motor layouts – a rear-motor or a dual motor (front and rear) paired with an all-wheel-drive system. Regardless of configuration, top speed is limited to 185 km/h.

Depending on the battery and motor layout chosen, power output and range vary. But the most powerful combine the two-motor system and the 72.6-kWh battery, producing a total output of 306 PS and 650 Nm torque. This configuration allows the EV to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. For maximum driving range, the rear-motor layout is paired with the larger battery offers around 470 to 480 kilometers of range.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is scheduled to arrive at dealerships later this year. Meanwhile, the Ioniq family will grow even bigger in the years to come.