Hyundai updates Ioniq 5 EV

HYUNDAI Australia’s hard-to-get Ioniq 5 is on the increase in terms of power, battery range, technology, variants in the line-up and – of course – price.

Three models are now offered, from the rear-wheel drive Dynamiq at $72,000, AWD Techniq at $79,500 and new flagship AWD Epiq grade (available late 2022) priced at $85,000 (all plus on-road costs).

Pricing has bumped upward with the previous two-variant line-up with the RWD Dynamiq opening proceedings at $69,900 and the AWD Techniq at $77,500 (both plus ORC).

Offsetting the increased prices is a power upgrade across the board, bigger battery capacity and more features and technology.

Hyundai says the next batch of more than 200 Ioniq 5s – all updated MY23 versions in Dynamiq and Techniq grades but not Epiq – will be available to order online from 26 October at 1pm AEDT, for customers in all Australian jurisdictions except the Northern Territory.

Although Hyundai’s technological flagship has not been around that long, it has been plagued by supply issues since launch that restricts availability to batches in the hundreds at best and sporadic deliveries.

Demand has been strong for the available allocation due to a number of factors, not the least being the retro-futuristic style, strong performance and generous standard kit.

Hyundai says the revised Ioniq 5 improves in all areas of the EV experience, starting with performance that gets a boost from a power increase to both RWD and AWD variants, while the flagship Epiq debuts high-tech features new to the Hyundai EV line-up.

A bigger 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery (up from 72.6 kWh) – is capable of delivering more than 500km of range according to the WLTP cycle.

The entry-level Dynamiq is powered by a single permanent-magnet synchronous motor driving the rear-wheels, delivering an improved 168kW and 350Nm (up from 160kW).

All-wheel drive Techniq and Epiq models share a twin-motor powertrain with improved outputs from the front and rear electric motors, as well as the bigger 77.4 kWh battery.

The 165kW/350Nm (up from 155kW) rear motor is joined by a 74kW/255Nm (up from 70kW) front motor for a combined total output of 239kW and 605Nm (up from 225kW), delivering AWD performance and a quick 5.1-second 0-100km/h time.

A new top-of-the-line Epiq grade introduces high-tech features, most of which are making their debut in the Ioniq 5 range, such as the digital side mirrors that pair exterior aerodynamic camera pods with two dedicated OLED displays in the cabin for what Hyundai claims is improved driver vision in all conditions.

The technology is also said to provide glare-free visibility in darker conditions and adverse weather, augmented with assistance guidelines for lane changes and reversing manoeuvres as well as providing an increased field of view compared with conventional mirrors, which reduces blind spots.

Epiq trim also brings a high-efficiency heat pump system that provides the cabin heating with less energy use than a conventional electric heating system.

The system combines waste heat energy utilised from other systems to warm the cabin in a reverse cycle air-conditioning system.

Yet another innovation in Epiq is the introduction of a battery conditioning system that can activate in cold-climate conditions to heat the battery for improved DC charging and driving performance.

The battery-conditioning system can also pre-heat the battery in preparation for the fastest, most efficient charging when a DC charger is selected as the navigation destination.

Further justification for Epiq’s $85K price comes in the form of a standard panoramic glass roof with electric sunblind, previously an at-cost option.

Ride and handling characteristics have been refined in the 2023 model Ioniq 5 that Hyundai says is perfectly tailored to the powertrain and the larger battery. Effort was put into better wheel control, bump absorption and body control.

In addition to the bigger 77.4 kWh battery capacity (up 6.6 percent from 72.6 kWH) across the range, there’s also an increased cell count that delivers higher voltage of 697 Volts (up from 653V).

The result is an improved driving range across the Ioniq range with the Dynamiq now delivering 507km in real-world WLTP driving between charges (up from 481km), while the Techniq and Epiq variants deliver 454km (up from 430km).

When connected to a 350kW ultra-fast charger, all variants can accrue 10 to 80 per cent battery capacity in as little as 18 minutes.

Using a 50kW fast charger will take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent charged in around 73 minutes.

Plugged in overnight at home to a 7kW AC charger, the Ioniq 5 will go from 10 to 100 per cent charged in around 11 hours 45 minutes.

A further benefit arriving with the 2023 Ioniq 5 is service intervals that have moved out to 2 years/30,000km.

They join Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, and the availability of lifetime servicing plan.

“These important updates make zero-emission motoring with Hyundai even more appealing, with the 2023 Ioniq 5 delivering improvements in all the areas our customers already love about EVs,” said Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO Ted Lee.

“From a new flagship model, to improved range and power right across the line up, this is a comprehensive update that improves the Ioniq 5 formula in every way.

“The Ioniq 5 is Hyundai Australia’s flagship electric vehicle, and we are proud to introduce an updated model that further cements that legacy.”

MY23 Hyundai Ioniq 5 pricing*:

*Excludes on-road costs