Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric SUV was mould-breaker when it launched back in 2021, boasting future-retro styling, high-tech 800-volt E-GMP architecture and an inspired, forward thinking approach to interior execution and packaging. It would also spawn the mighty, novelty-packed Ioniq 5 N high-performance offshoot.
But Ioniq 5 never enjoyed Tesla-like popularity and with sales dwindling in 2025, Hyundai Australia revamped the now much consolidated lineup, while boosting its BEV credentials in tandem with dropping pricing.
Our base 168kW rear-driver now fits a big 84kWh battery and boasts 570km of claimed range, while clocking in (for a limited time) at just $71,990 drive-away. And those are stats its importer hope makes it more competitive to key rivals and more seductive to EV buyers.
Here, Chasing Cars deputy editor Curt Dupriez takes a deep dive with one of the oldest EV models on the Australian market to discover that was – and still is – one of the best electric choices out there for quality and value.
Time codes:
0:00 – Intro
0:54 – Tesla
1:26 – Five years young
2:15 – Hatchback?
2:49 – Elexio
3:37 – New for MY26
4:32 – Base RWD
5:35 – Interior
6:50 – Seating
7:16 – Media
8:17 – Row two
9:09 – Boot space
9:48 – On road
11:11 – Chassis
11:55 – Ride comfort
12:43 – Annoyances
13:25 – Ownership
14:09 – Insurance
14:33 – Verdict
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I just love mine. In fact I’m on my second with no ICCU problem yet. 🤞I very rarely fast charge; just level 2 at home and I wonder if that helps.
I really wanted one but am very put of by the ICCU issues. Plenty of fb groups and forums full of owners complaining about failed ICCU’s and long waits for replacements.
Rolls Royce all came with jacks until recently and they pretty much all topped two tonne. No … I think maximising driving range and to offset the space taken by batteries is more likely.
Still soo good looking, but here in Europe Hyundai has quite a problem with recalls!
But still would love that we would get that awesome XRT off-roady trim from US here
4 years later and still no fix for the ICCU. Hyundai has really dropped the ball here. They need to report on this. I’m done with Hyundai!
It costs significantly more than the model Y or the Zeekr 7x. That's why it's not selling.
Love the car… hate the ICCU problems they have.
I have had Ioniq 5 AWD . I will not recommend it to anyone 👎👎👎
Just get a Tesla it’s is light ahead from this junk 🤦🏻♂️
You failed to do your due diligence, all KIA/Hyundai EGMP EVs, including ioniq5, 6, 9, ev3,4,6,9 are all equiped with the faulty ICCU hardware. There is currently no fix for it. Once it popped, your 12v fails and the car is bricked!
ICCU failures have put me off buying korean ev's. Hopefully they have fixed the failures ?
Our one is three years old. It's a masterclass in design, inside and out. So good to live with. Expensive, but I don't regret stumping up for it. Build quality is rock solid, too, and we do a lot of gravel roads and country driving. No rattles, unlike our Skoda.
I see people posting about the ICCU issues but has that been a problem with recent Australian releases?
I love the headroom and legroom in this car (more than many of the European cars that force sunroofs). And it's a far more comfortable ride than or MG. I
I hate the interior door grab, elderly folk (even Boomers) with artheritis can't easily grip them with their fingers. They are really harming their appeal to this demographic of EV buyers.
I think they should take on the Chinese cars and Mercedes by further improving ride comfort with more adaptive suspension.
Keep the controls as is, add heads up display as standard, add a proper grab too the interior door and a lot of buyers will go for "the most comfortable (non-chinese) electric suv"
Also the adjustable tilt on the headrest is nice I just wish it sat back further.
That’s just crazy pricing.
Daylight robbery is their middle name.
Used to be looking at it but price and ICCU issues put me off. Now I look at it sideways unfortunately.
Yet they still can't figure out the problem with this platforms ICCU. It's a BIG NO
Had one for 4yrs now, best family car I've ever owned. High head room, loads of leg room, great visibility, great features eg HUD.
Cloth seats, no powered tailgate , and slow , The battery capacity is decent, but overall even 72k is just too much. The reputation for ICCU failures is still tainting these and the EV6
There are a lot of things I like about IONIQ. My biggest concern is the ICCU, for which there is no proper fix. I read a few owners had the software updated and replaced their original ICCU, and the 2nd ICCU failed later on. Need assurance for these ICCU issues before I consider IONIQ.
I love this car and own one. But I had to get a second hand model because I sure aa hell wasn't paying full price.
Surely there is a computer hack you can employ to turn off the annoying "safety" systems?
I love this car but it is way over priced! It needs to be $67k driveway – given the larger battery.