2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5: It’s Lightning

Considered one of the top electric SUVs out there, the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has been garnering praise all year long….

And I must say, it really was a joy to drive.  The ride was smooth, the interior was nice … and that bumper car feel that many electric cars have is totally absent from the Ioniq 5. 

For those who do follow cars a lot, the main difference between the Ioniq 5 and 6 is that the 5 is a small-ish SUV and the 6 is a sedan. Both have been deemed standouts in the electric car field. 

Described as “eye-catching in the best way and a pleasure to drive,” U.S. News and World Report ranks the ‘5’ as Number 1 in the Electric SUV category, tied with the Ford Mustang Mach-E (yes, a Mustang SUV).

Standard is Rear-Wheel Drive, and that will get you a range of about 300 miles.  Go up the food chain and get All-Wheel Drive and the range is still a decent 250 miles (I tested the top-tier Limited trim, which is very nice). The 2024 model is basically unchanged from model year 2023.

(Hyundai says that with a DC (Direct Current) fast charging station, charging should take only 18 minutes, whereas using a 240-volt charger in your garage could take seven hours. Thus, keep an eye out for those fast-charging stations – and always bring a book.)

Zen-like and simplistic have also been used to describe the Ioniq 5 and how it goes from Point Gay to Point Bee. Indeed, this was one of the smoothest EVs I have driven to date.

But know upfront that even EVs can get pricey; the Ioniq 5 starts at $41K US. But you do get navigation, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other standard features, such as Blind-Spot Intervention, which will steer you back into your lane if you try to change lanes into another car.  

Truly, what will they think of next? 

The downside, if you will, is that cargo room comes up a bit short: 27 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 59 cubic feet when you fold them down.  That’s still not bad but keep that in mind if you plan on moving grandma’s antique nightstand cross-country. 

Now that we are solidly in Fall, it’s time to think about root vegetables like squash, pumpkins served in every way imaginable – and big burly men tackling each other on the football field.

Should your travels take you away from home to watch your favorite tight-end or wide-receiver, the 2024 Ioniq 5 should get you there smoothly and safely.  Just remember to charge it up.

Nothing like getting stuck in pumpkin patch waiting for Mr. Right to come by and give you a charge. 

Yes, you will need to plan ahead.