Pixels in focus

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 makes a lot of sense, the size, the tech and the comfort all enough to trump ICE-powered cars. We got behind the wheel of the India-spec car to find out how good it really is

While we see new electric cars almost every month now, there are some which deserve special attention. One of these is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The reason behind this is that the brand put an immense amount of effort into the development of this car, from the design and aesthetics to the powertrain. Hyundai has used the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform), which underpins the Kia EV6 that was launched in India last year. Both cars however, couldn’t look any different, with the Kia following a sportier approach, while the Ioniq 5 is neo-retro. The design looks akin to something that we have seen in sci-fi flicks from the 1980s and has been inspired by the iconic Hyundai Pony. The shape is of an oversized hatchback, but do not let its form factor fool you into thinking it’s a small car. In fact, this electric SUV is large with a wheelbase of 3,000mm, comparable with the likes of the Range Rover Sport and the Audi Q7. The front carries a very characteristic clamshell bonnet, below which are housed the Parametric Pixel LED DRLs, one of the best looking ones on the market and the section below houses transflective LED accent lighting, visible in the dark. The lower section of the front fascia houses an active air-flap, which opens up to cool the vehicle components. The 20-inch alloys too feature a parametric design and have been optimised for aerodynamic efficiency. The tail-lamps carry the same Parametric Pixel LED design and flank the Ioniq 5 emblem. Being electric, the Ioniq 5 sports a frunk, with 57 litres of storage in addition to a 527-litre boot under the electrically operated tailgate.