Less than a week after its corporate sibling Kia rolled out the EV6 in New York City’s Times Square, Hyundai revealed its Ioniq 5 all-electric crossover to the U.S. — via the internet.
The South Korean automaker provided an initial look at the first offering from its now all-electric sub-brand in late February. However, it offered more details about what U.S. consumers can expect from the new offering — starting with fact that it will begin arriving in the U.S. this fall.
No pricing was released, but officials did note that there would be a subscription for young, EV-friendly consumers who want some time in a vehicle before they fully commit. The graphics show the program would allow them to lease a vehicle for either $295 or $395 a month, which would include the vehicle, insurance and maintenance.
The vehicle won’t be limited to California and a few other traditional EV trial states, but instead will be offered to several larger states, including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Arizona.
What’s coming?
It will come in two versions: a single-motor model and a dual-motor vehicle. The rear-wheel drive single motor version puts out 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The dual motor puts out 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque pushing the crossover from 0 to 60 mph in just less than 5 seconds.
The single motor boasts 300 miles of range while the dual motor comes in at 244 miles. Both hit a top speed of 115 mph and can tow 1,500 pounds, which is ideal for “glamping,” noted Olabisi Boyle, vice president, Product Planning and Mobility Strategy, Hyundai Motor North America, during the event.
All charged up when you’ve got everywhere to go
Hyundai announced it was offering two years of free charging through its existing partnership with Electrify America. To be clear, it’s unlimited 30-minute charging sessions. Once you hit 30 minutes, you’ve got to move along.
The new crossover features an 800-volt system that allows you to add 68 miles of range in just five minutes or go from a 10% charge to 80% in just 18 minutes if using a high-speed 350-kW charger. If you use an Electrify America charger, which has more than 600 locations — with plans to bump that to 800 with more than 3,500 ultra-fast chargers by the end of this year — across the U.S., you’ll get that “fill up” for free, officials noted.
If you’re using the standard on-board charger at a Level 2 charger, then owners can get a full charge in less than seven hours.
The new Ioniq 5 can also act as a charger for other vehicles, power devices while camping or tailgating and there is a second outlet in the vehicle for powering and charging devices as well, Boyle calling the new utility a “mobile power strip.”
Bigger, faster and more comfortable
Like its Kia sibling, the Ioniq 5 rides on Hyundai’s flexible E-GMP platform, which carries the batteries and motors below the vehicle’s floor. This allows designers to better utilize the space they have available — and even create a bigger vehicle.
The new ute boasts the longest wheelbase in the Hyundai portfolio, including that of the Palisade SUV, though it’s 14 inches shorter overall, noted Simon Loasby, Hyundai vice president, head of Hyundai Styling, during the event.
That translates to useable interior space, including 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which jumps to 59.3 cf when those seats are folded flat. Overall, it’s got more room for passengers than the new Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4, according to Hyundai officials.
The new model focuses on interior comfort and function. There are simple touches, like a magnetic pad on the far left side of the dashboard to allow the driver to hang pictures or reminder notes. However, that same driver also enjoys a seat that reclines to a zero-gravity position for his or her comfort while the vehicle is recharging at a charging station.
Hyundai engineers reduced the thickness of these seats by 30%, providing even more space for those seated in the second row. The second-row seats also recline and slide to provide more legroom than a midsize SUV and additional headroom.
The sliding second-row seats also can provide additional luggage space when needed. To give the interior an even greater sense of openness, Ioniq 5’s vision roof consists of one large glass panel without cross members, the company noted.
More products coming for the sub-brand
The Hyundai Motor Group – which includes the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands, as well as the new Ioniq marque – plans to spend 104 trillion Korean won, or around $87 billion, during the next five years on the development of both electric and autonomous vehicles, EVs expected to take the lion’s share of that investment.
By 2025, the company plans to sell 1 million battery-electric vehicles annually, accounting for 8-10% of global EV sales, said José Muñoz, global chief operating officer, Hyundai Motor Co., who also heads up the brand’s North American and U.S. operations.
He noted the Ioniq 6 will be coming in 2022, it adopts a distinctly different design language. Earlier officials noted it would feature a rounded, coupe-like sedan body directly influenced by the Hyundai Prophecy concept.
The Ioniq 5 and 6 models appear to be taking aim at the likes of the Tesla Models Y and 3, respectively, as well as other new EV offerings, such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 7, however, will be a larger utility, with no direct link to any existing concept or production model.
