Hyundai Enters EV Mix with IONIQ 5

One year after launching its IONIQ brand, Hyundai Motor Company presented the IONIQ 5, a battery electric midsize SUV.

“IONIQ 5 introduces the Hyundai brand to a whole new set of buyers. Once behind the steering wheel, they are going to be shocked by the range, power, comfort, interior space and advanced technology. Owning one is going to be a new experience and lifestyle that only the IONIQ brand can provide,” said José Muñoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor America.

IONIQ 5 is the first of three BEV models that Hyundai will introduce over the next three years, as reported by MBN. IONIQ 6, an electric sedan, will arrive in 2022 and IONIQ 7, a large SUV, will reach the market in early 2024. These vehicles “are inspired by past models but they will be a bridge to the future,” said Hyundai in a statement.

Hyundai gave top US media the opportunity to drive the IONIQ 5, receiving positive feedback. The BEV design is “a mixture of retro and futuristic design elements combined with technology that actually works as advertised,” said Engadget. IONIQ 5 is “a strikingly attractive and thoroughly modern interpretation of a classic box-shaped crossover,” reported Forbes.

IONIQ 5 will be available in the US during the last week of 2021 with seven different models, ranging in price from US$39,700 to US$54,500. The main differences between these models lay in the vehicles’ engine and drivetrain. The SE Standard version, the least expensive, has a 125-kW electric motor, while the Limited version, the most expensive, offers a 74-kW + 165-kW electric motor with an all-wheel drive.

Hyundai will compete in the EV market with IONIQ 5’s ultra-fast 800-V multi-charging, which goes from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes and a Vehicle-to-Load function that will power small appliances, devices and even charge other EVs. As part of Hyundai’s effort to enter the EV market, IONIQ 5 customers within the US will receive unlimited 30-minute charging sessions for two years on Electrify America’s network of chargers.

Hyundai Motor Group announced it will introduce 23 BEV models and sell 1 million BEV units worldwide by 2025. While Hyundai will enter the EV market in the US, Asia and the EU, its strategy is not the same for Mexico. The South Korean automaker introduced its IONIQ Hybrid vehicle in 2018. The 2022 model starts at MX$575,200 (US$28,750) and is expected to continue growing in popularity within the Mexican market, where Hyundai is positioned in ninth place in sales.