Hyundai Ioniq 5 among 10 Best Cars of 2022-2023 Japan Car of the Year

MANILA: Hyundai Ioniq 5 was named as one of the 10 Best Cars for the 2022-2023 Japan Car of the Year. Among the 48 candidates, 11 models were included in the list to compete for the winner of Japan Car of the Year, which will be determined through a series of test drives.

Introduced in 2021, the Ioniq 5 is the first model in Hyundai Motor's Ioniq battery electric vehicle (BEV) lineup. The vehicle, which is based on Hyundai Motor's Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) architecture, delivers strong performance, ultra-fast charging, a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, advanced connectivity, and driver assistance technologies that improve every occupant's in-car experience.

The Ioniq 5 features a distinctive look with angular, smooth lines. It measures 4,635mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,605mm in height. It has a 3,000mm-long wheelbase.

The design of the Ioniq 5 drew inspiration from the Hyundai Pony, the brand's first-ever production car. This highlights the 45-year history of Hyundai in the motor industry.

The Ioniq 5's front features Hyundai's first clamshell hood, which was created with less panel gaps for improved aerodynamics. Its front bumper is very striking and complemented by distinctive V-shaped daytime running lights (DRL). The Ioniq 5 also features Hyundai's "Parametric Dynamics" style, which was inspired by the all-new Hyundai Tucson. With  its muscular C-pillar structure, which was inspired by Hyundai's “45” EV concept, the Ioniq 5 is easier to spot on the road. The monocoque body and futuristic interior of the “45” concept car were first shown at the 2019 International Motor Show Germany.

The Ioniq 5 has the largest rims among Hyundai electric vehicles. Its 20-inch wheels are aero-optimized.

In order to prevent battery discharge when traveling long distances, the Ioniq 5 is built with an environmentally friendly solar roof that can collect energy and transfer it to the vehicle's battery.

The adjustable center console known as the Universal Island serves as the centerpiece of the “Living Space” interior design of the Ioniq 5. It is intended to offer more flexible interior space. Because of its unusually long wheelbase, passengers have greater room to move around during the trip. The Ioniq 5 also features electronically adjustable front seats with 30% thinner backrests to give more room to the second-row occupants.

To show Hyundai's commitment to sustainable development, the Ioniq 5's seats, headliner, door trim, floor, and armrest were all made from environmentally friendly materials like recycled PET bottles, bio PET yarns and wool yarns, eco-processed leather, and bio paint with plant extracts. Additionally, the cabin has a unique ceiling that is held up by a single, large glass panel.

The second-row seats can be slid forward and folded if more cargo room is needed. If the seats are folded all the way down, the standard 531-liter load capacity of the Ioniq 5 may be expanded to around 1,600 liters. Additionally, the Ioniq 5 has a front trunk with a 57-liter maximum load capacity.

The large, customizable dual cockpit of the Ioniq 5 features a 12-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The interior ambience can be adjusted to Soft, Delicate, or Exuberant through the Jong-e Graphic User Interface (GUI) of the Ioniq 5's infotainment system. For enhanced music streaming inside, the Ioniq 5 boasts a premium Bose sound system with eight speakers and a subwoofer. Another cutting-edge interior innovation is the Augmented Reality Head-up Display (AR HUD), which transforms the windshield into a screen to display important vehicle information, navigational data, and even the surroundings of the vehicle.

The radio, air conditioning, and hatch opening may all be controlled by the driver using the Ioniq 5's dynamic voice recognition system. The system also has the ability to deliver brief weather and stock market updates.

With Bluelink connected car services, Ioniq 5 owners can conveniently operate their vehicle using smartphone or voice commands. Among the Bluelink features  are  Connected Routing, Last Mile Navigation, and User Profile. The mobile app shows details about the vehicle's range, battery condition, and charging times. Through the use of the Remote Profile Management feature, the driver can save their customized car settings in the Bluelink cloud. Through the Remote Start Enhancements feature, the app gives users access to the seat-adjustment, heating, and ventilation features. Vehicle Status Notifications are also sent to the Ioniq 5 owner if the doors or windows are left open. The mobile app's Maintenance Alert Enhancement feature enables control of the vehicle's infotainment system, and its POI Send to Car Now with Waypoints feature enables connection with the navigation system. The vehicle can also be remotely pre-heated through the Bluelink app's Remote Climate Control feature.

To meet the needs of every customer, the Ioniq 5 is offered with a selection of power electric (PE) systems. 58kWh and 72.6kWh battery pack options are available. Customers can choose between two different electric motor layouts: one with a rear motor only and the other with both front and rear motors. The optimal speed for all PE systems is 185kph.

The Ioniq 5's all-wheel drive (AWD) variant with a 72.6kWh battery can provide up to 225kWh of maximum power and 605Nm of peak torque. This PE system can reach 100kph from a standstill in 5.2 seconds. If this configuration is combined with a 58kWh battery, the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 6.1 seconds.

Meanwhile, the two-wheel drive (2WD) variant can go 470km to 480km on a single charge if used with the 72.6kWh battery. The single-motor configuration can accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in 7.4 seconds. If the PE is paired with a 58kWh battery, the vehicle can reach 100kph in 8.5 seconds.

The Ioniq 5 also comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driver assistance features that enhances safety and convenience on the road. Hyundai SmartSense includes Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and High Beam Assist.

The Ioniq 5 is also equipped with a blind spot view monitor and remote smart parking assist feature.

Hyundai entered the Japanese passenger vehicle market in February 2022 with the goal of advancing smart and sustainable mobility under the vision of “progress for Humanity.” Moreover, Hyundai Mobility Japan was founded to take the lead in the rapidly changing market by offering Zero Emission Vehicles, running online platforms that connect sales to after-services, and giving Japanese customers a variety of mobility services.

The Ioniq 5 has already won numerous prestigious international awards, including World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle of the Year, World Car Design of the Year, German Car of the Year, UK Car of the Year, Auto Express' Car of the Year, Auto Bild's Best Import Cars, and many others. It also won the top distinction at the first-ever Best Cars of the Year 2021/2022 Awards.

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. unveiled the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at the Philippine International Motor Show 2022 in September. It will be available in dealerships nationwide starting January 2023.

Japan Car of the Year, now in its 43rd year, was established with two objectives in mind: to advance Japan's motorization and to educate consumers about the newest models and innovations. The selection will be chosen from among the vehicles released in the domestic Japanese auto market between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the current year. The award is administered by the Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee.

Aside from Hyundai Ioniq 5, the 10 Best Cars of 2022-2023 Japan Car of the Year include Suzuki Alto, Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Fairlady Z, Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv D, Renault Arkana, Toyota Crown, Nissan Sakura/Mitsubishi eK Cross EV, Honda Civic e:HEV/Civic Type R, BMW iX, and Land Rover Range Rover.

Photo from Hyundai

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