Experience India’s First All-Electric SUV

By Khushi Mittal

Last year's World Car Awards saw the Hyundai Ioniq 5 take home many awards. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was eventually unveiled in India, at Auto Expo 2023, after being shown for over a year. Prices start at Rs. 44.95 lakh (ex-showroom). Without a doubt, it is Hyundai's new flagship model, not only for India but also for the rest of the world. It also has a good pedigree! In 2022, it was named World Car Of The Year, beating out two other EVs, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Kia EV6. But for now, let us focus on the car's handling and performance, as this is the India-spec model with only one powerplant. To begin, the India-spec Hyundai Ioniq 5 is fitted with a 72.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned between the front and back axles. The automobile has rear-wheel drive, and the permanent magnet synchronous engine produces 215 horsepower and a hefty 350 Nm of peak torque. The ARAI certified range is up to 631 kilometres, however the actual world range should be approximately 450 to 470 km, which should get you through your commute comfortably. The battery of the Ioniq 5 can be completely charged in 7 hours using an 11 kW AC charger, and it only takes roughly an hour to charge from 10% to 80% using a 50 kW DC charger. The Ioniq5's 800 volt system can also take a 350 kW charger, which reduces charging time to to 18 minutes, although they are not available in India. As with other EVs, the Ioniq 5 takes off at full power right away! There is no waiting, no lag, just tremendous pull, resulting in a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 7.6 seconds. That's lightning quick! It's not as quick as a sports car, but it's not far behind. This also implies that overtaking will be a snap with this vehicle! If you miss the snarl of a normal petrol or diesel engine, the car also boasts a simulated engine sound system.It offers a velvety ride quality that will keep the passengers comfy while on the road! The regenerative brakes also operate quite effectively and provide adequate input in both regular and panic braking scenarios. The interior on the Ioniq 5 is done in dark pebble grey and it definitely looks premium! Moreover, the materials used in manufacturing of the interior are eco-friendly too and are made using methods and processes that are kinder to the environment. The Ioniq 5's second major selling point is the wealth of technologies it provides. The two 12.3-inch displays serve as the centrepiece, one as an instrument cluster and the other as the infotainment system's touchscreen. There's also an 8-speaker Bose music system and Hyundai's Bluelink linked technology, which includes Alexa and Google Voice Assistant as standard. All of this is brought together by the Rs. 44.95 lakh price tag, which significantly undercuts the competitors, especially the Kia EV6 and the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Yes, it is a luxury model, but it demonstrates Hyundai's strengths and the company's future direction.