Hyundai IONIQ 5 Consensus - Best Crossover Battery-Electric Vehicle Yet

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The EV world seems unanimous in its first impression of the new Hyundai IONIQ 5 battery-electric vehicle. Here’s what the folks who know EVs best are saying about this game-changer.

Torque News was invited to be among the first of the automotive media to drive the all-new Hyundai IONIQ 5 battery-electric vehicle (BEV). We came away thinking the buzz around this vehicle is well justified. While it is not all things to all shoppers, the IONIQ 5 will do what Hyundai does best - Hit the heart of the market in the bullseye.

You can read our first impressions of the IONIQ 5 here. However, our opinion is just a single data point. Let’s take a look at what the EV experts we respect most have to say about the new Hyundai IONIQ 5. We’ll let their words guide this story from here on out. Before we begin, let's balance this love letter by pointing out that there are four things we like to see in a crossover BEV that the IONIQ 5 lacks.

TFL Cars
This group knows EVs backward and forwards. They have owned a Model Y and the team does extensive real-world testing of EVs. Based in Colorado (lucky) they have a great understanding of the effects of temperature and wide-open spaces on EV range and charging. You can view their YWe think this statement by Tommy says it all: “There are very few new vehicles that are as game-changing as the Hyundai IONIQ 5.”

Out of Spec Reviews
Kyle at OOSR lives the electric life. He has tested all the latest high-end BEVs coming to market from the Model S Plaid, the Lucid Air, and the Mercedes EQS, as well as mainstream affordable offerings like the Mazda MX-30. He recently tested the Model Y in Scandanavia. Kyle has owned so many EVs we have forgotten the long list. Nobody reviewing BEVs today understands technical subjects like charging profiles more thoroughly than does Kyle. He gushes over the Hyundai IONIQ 5, but one statement he makes in his video is, “This is the new benchmark. For all electric cars.” We think that pretty well represents the rest of his opinions, but do take time to watch his video.

Consumer Reports
We trust Consumer Reports’ reliability ratings more than any other source on that subject. However, we also know and respect many of the testers and reviewers at this iconic organization. In the group’s initial report on the IONIQ 5, Mike Quincy says of the IONIQ 5, “...one of the coolest and newest models on the EV scene.” Jake Fisher says the IONIQ 5 is “...an unbelievably interesting and very exciting vehicle.”

Redline Reviews
Sofyan Bey owns a plug-in crossover and he says, “Unlike the Volkwagen this doesn’t come with the usual compromises or quirks. There is something about this car that feels really cool.”

Feel free to browse the internet for more first impressions of the IONIQ 5. We are confident you will find that the consensus among experienced EV testers is that the IONIQ 5 is another home run from Hyundai.

Image of Hyundai IONIQ 5 by John Goreham

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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