Hyundai Ioniq 5 is MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year

MANILA: Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been named the winner of MotorTrend's “Golden Calipers” for SUV of the Year. The Ioniq 5 outperformed a competitive field of 45 SUVs, 25 of which were electric. With its sleek appearance, cohesive detail work, and user experience, the Ioniq 5 stood out against the tough competition.

“Ioniq 5 winning MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year recognizes Hyundai’s relentless focus on world-class product development, design, engineering and manufacturing. This is one of the most prestigious accolades in the automotive industry and we are honored that Ioniq 5 is being rewarded for its excellent range, fast-charging capability, progressive design, practical interior space and advanced technology,” Hyundai Motor Company President and Chief Executive Officer Jaehoon Chang stated.

“For the first time in MotorTrend’s 74-year history, the majority of contenders vying for MotorTrend SUV of the Year were electrified, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric power,” MotorTrend Group Editorial Head Ed Loh said. “The sheer volume and capability of all contenders made it one of the most competitive SUV of the Year programs ever, which is great news for consumers looking for efficient, future-forward SUVs and crossovers.”

The Ioniq 5 was named SUV of the Year after excelling in the six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended function.

“After a grueling competition in record-setting heat, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came out on top, scoring high marks in our award’s six key criteria. With Ioniq 5, Hyundai delivers an affordable, capable, tech-forward crossover with great range and fast-charging capability, standing out in an increasingly crowded field. Ioniq 5 doesn’t look or drive like any other EV on the road; it leads with interesting, futuristic styling and seals the deal with intuitive, human-centered technology, all in a smartly packaged crossover that fits a wide range of garages, budgets,0 and lifestyles,” Loh added.

“Ioniq 5 is super fun to drive, combining sharp handling and expert chassis tuning with luxury-level comfort and ride quality in an affordable mainstream EV,” MotorTrend Digital Director Erik Johnson stated. “It’s also fun to look at, with a design evocative of the totally rad ’80s and ’90s but which is still thoroughly modern and distinctive among the sea of bland crossovers and SUVs. From the overall shape to clever details, you’ll continue to discover it long after you drive Ioniq 5 for the first time. Hyundai's design team knocked this one out of the park; I couldn’t help but look back over my shoulder after every stint behind the wheel. Add it up, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a deeply deserving winner of the coveted Golden Calipers.”

Prior to receiving the recent MotorTrend accolade, the Ioniq 5 was named the 2022 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, and Auto Bild's Electric Car of the Year.

The Ioniq 5 is the first model in Hyundai’s Ioniq brand. The Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Hyundai Motor Group's specialized architecture for BEVs, is used in the development of the Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 5 boasts a long wheelbase, sustainable interior features, advanced driver assist and safety systems, and a powerful performance with ultra-fast charging and a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function.

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

The Ioniq 5 has a distinct midsize crossover utility vehicle (CUV) exterior design with sharp, clean lines. It measures 4,635mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,605mm in height. The vehicle's wheelbase is 3,000mm long.

Hyundai's first clamshell hood, designed with fewer panel gaps for better aerodynamics, is featured on the front of the Ioniq 5. The front bumper of the Ioniq 5 is equally eye-catching and enhanced with unusual V-shaped daytime running lights (DRL). Moreover, the Ioniq 5 has auto flush door handles and Hyundai's “Parametric Dynamics” style, which was inspired by the all-new Hyundai Tucson. The Ioniq 5 is more recognizable on the road, thanks to its aggressive C-pillar structure, which was influenced by Hyundai's “45” EV concept. The “45” concept's monocoque body and cutting-edge interior were first showcased at the 2019 International Motor Show Germany.

Among all Hyundai electric vehicles, the Ioniq 5 has the largest rims. Its 20-inch-diameter wheels are aero-optimized.

The Ioniq 5 is designed with an eco-friendly solar roof that may collect energy and transmit it to the vehicle's battery to prevent battery discharge when driving long distances.

The Ioniq 5's interior is designed in a “Living Space” style, with the adjustable center console known as the Universal Island serving as its focal point. It is designed to provide more flexible space inside. Its exceptionally long wheelbase gives passengers more legroom for a more comfortable ride. Furthermore, the Ioniq 5 has electronically adjustable front seats whose thickness was reduced by 30% to provide additional space for the passengers in the second row.

The Ioniq 5's seats, headliner, door trim, floor, and armrest were all made from eco-friendly materials such recycled PET bottles, bio PET yarns and wool yarns, eco-processed leather, and bio paint with plant extracts to demonstrate Hyundai's commitment to promoting sustainable development. The cabin also has a unique ceiling that is supported by only a single, enormous glass panel.

If more cargo space is needed, the second-row seats can be slid forward and folded. The Ioniq 5's standard 531-liter cargo space may be increased to approximately 1,600 liters if the seats are fully folded. The Ioniq 5 also has a front trunk with a maximum load capacity of 57 liters.

A 12-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster are both included in the Ioniq 5's large, customizable dual cockpit. The interior ambience can be set to be Soft, Delicate, or Exuberant using the Jong-e Graphic User Interface (GUI) of the Ioniq 5's infotainment system. The Ioniq 5 also has a premium Bose sound system with eight speakers and a subwoofer for an upgraded music streaming inside. The Augmented Reality Head-up Display (AR HUD), another cutting-edge interior feature, turns the windshield into a screen to show essential vehicle information, navigational information, and even the vehicle's surroundings.

The Ioniq 5 also has a dynamic voice recognition system that the driver can use to control the radio, air-conditioning system, and hatch opening. Furthermore, the system is capable of providing brief weather reports and stock market updates.

Ioniq 5 owners can conveniently operate their vehicle using smartphone or voice commands, thanks to Bluelink connected car services. Bluelink includes Connected Routing, Last Mile Navigation, and User Profile feature. The mobile app also displays information about the vehicle's range, battery status, and charging times. The driver can save their personalized vehicle settings in the Bluelink cloud using the Remote Profile Management feature. The app also provides access to the seat-adjustment, heating, and ventilation functions through its Remote Start Enhancements feature. If the vehicle's doors or windows are left open, the Ioniq owner receives Vehicle Status Notifications. The Maintenance Alert Enhancement feature of the mobile app allows for control of the infotainment system in the vehicle, and the POI Send to Car Now with Waypoints feature allows for connectivity of the navigation system. The vehicle can also be remotely pre-heated through the Remote Climate Control feature of the Bluelink app.

The Ioniq 5 is available with a variety of power electric (PE) systems to meet the needs of every customer. It has two battery pack variants: 58kWh or 72.6kWh. The two electric motor layouts available to customers are one with a rear motor only and one with both front and rear motors. All PE systems can deliver an optimal speed of 185kph.

The Ioniq 5 has an all-wheel drive (AWD) option with a 72.6kWh battery inside that produces 225kWh of maximum power and 605Nm of peak torque. This PE system can accelerate from a standstill to 100kph in 5.2 seconds. If this layout is used with a 58kWh battery, the vehicle can go from 0 to 100kph in 6.1 seconds.

Customers can also choose the two-wheel drive (2WD) variant, which has a 72.6kWh battery and can go 470km to 480km on a single charge. The single-motor configuration can reach 100kph from a standstill in 7.4 seconds. When the PE is coupled with a 58-kWh battery, the vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100kph in 8.5 seconds.

Hyundai Motor Philippines Inc. unveiled the Hyundai Ioniq 5 last September at the Philippine International Motor Show 2022. It will hit the local market in January 2023.

Photo from Hyundai Motor Company

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