A Brilliant Electric Vehicle That Falls Short of Its Own Potential
There are very few vehicles that have left me as conflicted as the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
After living with it, I can honestly say it is one of the most enjoyable vehicles I have ever owned. Every drive reminds me why electric vehicles have become so compelling. The acceleration is effortless, the ride is exceptionally quiet, the styling still turns heads, and the overall driving experience feels genuinely modern. Hyundai clearly got the fundamentals right.
That is precisely what makes the shortcomings so frustrating.
This isn't a bad car. Quite the opposite. It is an outstanding vehicle repeatedly held back by software decisions, questionable ergonomics, inconsistent quality control, and an ownership experience that too often feels more complicated than it should.
If Hyundai addressed those areas, this would easily be a five-star vehicle. Instead, it earns four.
The Ioniq 5 is one of the best-looking EVs on the road today. Its retro-inspired styling manages to look futuristic without feeling gimmicky, and months after buying it I still catch myself looking back at it after parking. The interior carries that same modern aesthetic, creating an open cabin that feels larger than its dimensions suggest.
Once underway, the driving experience rarely disappoints. Even in Eco mode the instant torque makes merging effortless, while the suspension does an excellent job absorbing rough pavement without becoming floaty. It's comfortable enough for long trips, yet responsive enough that it never feels disconnected from the road.
Unfortunately, some of Hyundai's design decisions begin to undermine that experience almost immediately.
Storage throughout the cabin feels surprisingly limited for a vehicle of this size. The center console looks sleek but sacrifices everyday practicality. Cup holders struggle with many of today's insulated bottles and travel mugs, and convenient places to store common items like phones are noticeably absent. I eventually designed and 3D printed organizers and replacement cup holder inserts to make the interior work better for my daily use. They solved the problem remarkably well, but they also highlighted how easily Hyundai could have done the same.
Technology presents another mix of excellence and frustration.
The dual-screen layout looks fantastic, but the software behind it never feels quite as polished as the hardware deserves. The infotainment system responds noticeably slower than expected, many of the most useful EV functions are buried beneath multiple menu layers, and everyday tasks often require more taps than they should.
Hyundai also missed several opportunities where relatively simple software updates could dramatically improve the ownership experience.
Driver profiles do not automatically restore each driver's memorized seat position despite the vehicle already having memory seats. Battery preconditioning depends heavily on Hyundai's factory navigation instead of offering a simple manual option. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay remain absent, leaving drivers to connect their phones with a cable in a vehicle that otherwise feels years ahead of its competition.
None of these issues involve missing hardware. They simply feel like unfinished software decisions.
The driving experience, however, continues to impress.
Acceleration remains one of the vehicle's greatest strengths. Instant torque makes passing effortless, while the exceptionally quiet cabin creates an almost relaxing driving experience even during heavy freeway traffic. It is easy to understand why the Ioniq 5 has earned so much praise from automotive journalists.
Unfortunately, quality control has not always matched the engineering.
Soon after purchase I began noticing a persistent vibration at highway speeds. Hyundai initially suggested that everything appeared normal, but an independent tire specialist eventually discovered the cause. The acoustic foam liners inside all four tires had detached and shifted, creating significant imbalance. In more than thirty years balancing tires, he told me he had never encountered all four failing in this manner. Once corrected, the vibration disappeared.
The most significant ownership issue came when the vehicle unexpectedly became completely inoperable despite the high-voltage battery still holding a substantial charge. The problem ultimately involved the vehicle's 12-volt electrical system, and shortly afterward Hyundai issued its ICCU recall addressing charging-related issues affecting certain Ioniq 5 models.
Mechanical failures can happen with any manufacturer. What concerned me more was the warranty experience that followed.
During diagnosis I learned that aftermarket wiring connected to the vehicle's electrical system had become an obstacle to warranty repairs. Whether installed by the selling dealer or another authorized dealership, the experience exposed an unnecessary disconnect between sales and service. If electrical accessories are installed before delivery, those modifications should be clearly disclosed and documented. Customers should not first learn about aftermarket wiring when it complicates warranty work months or years later. Greater transparency would protect both owners and dealerships while avoiding unnecessary confusion during what is already a stressful situation.
There are a handful of smaller frustrations as well.
The turning radius is surprisingly wide for a vehicle of this size, making tight maneuvers more cumbersome than expected. Some storage decisions continue to prioritize appearance over practicality, and the software still feels like it has room to mature through future updates.
Even so, I continue looking forward to driving this vehicle every day.
That may be the strongest compliment I can give it.
Despite everything I've described, I still believe the Ioniq 5 represents one of the best electric vehicles currently available. Its strengths are simply that compelling. Hyundai created an outstanding platform with exceptional performance, impressive comfort, distinctive styling, and technology that often feels ahead of the competition.
What prevents it from earning five stars is that so many of its weaknesses appear entirely fixable. Better software integration, improved interior ergonomics, stronger quality control, and greater transparency during the ownership experience would transform an already excellent vehicle into an extraordinary one.
For now, the Ioniq 5 remains a vehicle I genuinely enjoy owning, while simultaneously wishing Hyundai had finished polishing the remarkable foundation they built.
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