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By John Goreham Dec 19 2021 - 2:26pm

Four Things Missing From the New Hyundai IONIQ 5 Battery-Electric Vehicle

We list four important things that the new Hyundai IONIQ 5 does not have that we feel many consumers shopping for a battery-electric crossover utility vehicle might want.
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The new IONIQ5 is a five-passenger battery-electric vehicle marketed by Hyundai as a crossover utility vehicle. It has been met with almost unanimous acclaim by EV enthusiasts and reviewers. Many of the reviews simply gush, saying this vehicle is a game-changer for the industry. We’ve driven it, and we do like it quite a bit. We’ll reserve our judgment on how much it changes the market until after we see how many Hyundai delivers this coming year.

Related Story: Tesla Model Y Costs You 50% More Than Hyundai IONIQ 5

The IONIQ 5 has some fantastic segment-leading features that add up to real-world benefits. For example, its head-up display (available on the Limited trim) is the best we’ve ever seen in any vehicle from any brand. The interior rivals the Ford Mustang Mach-E for best in segment, and we feel that no manufacturer offers a better warranty and included maintenance package than does Hyundai. But the IONIQ 5 is missing some things you can get right now in other green vehicles. Here is our list.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 steering wheel image by John Goreham

Missing IONIQ 5 Content #1 - Hands-Free Driving Assistance
Hyundai has outstanding driver-assistance and active safety features. However, the Chevrolet Bolt EUV offers Super Cruise, which allows for hands-free highway operation. We’ve tried it, it works, and you will love it if you give it a try yourself.

Wireless Android Auto image courtesy of Hyundai.

Missing IONIQ 5 Content #2 - Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Although many reviewers label the IONIQ 5’s infotainment technology class-leading, we don’t agree. The screens and the head-up display are really sweet. However, one must use a cable to pair a phone for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. What we find most shocking about this omission is that wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on the base Hyundai Elantra SE (pictured above). The Ford Mustang Mach-E has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. We’ve tested it in the Mach-E (as well as scores of other vehicles), and it works great. The irony of the IONIQ 5’s setup is that there is a wireless phone charger. Which you don’t need since your phone will be plugged in.

Spare tire in Toyota RAV4 Prime image by John Goreham

Missing IONIQ 5 Content #3 - Spare Tire
Many manufacturers are moving away from including a key safety feature. They are deleting the spare tire. This is a trend we see particularly in some green vehicles. Hyundai’s hybrids often lack a spare, its BEVs all lack a spare, and even some trims like its Kona Ultimate lack a spare. Spare tires are included in green crossovers like the plug-in hybrid-electric Toyota RAV4 Prime and Audi e-Tron.

Related Story: Myth Busted - Spare Tires Don’t Reduce Electric Vehicle Range

Tesla Model Y third-row seat image used with permission of Shannon L.

Missing IONIQ 5 Content #4 - Compact Third Row Seating
The IONIQ 5 is not large enough to incorporate compact temporary-use third-row seating. It is one example of the smaller form factor of this CUV. You can get a third-row seat in the Tesla Model Y, and many owners who opted for it find that it meets their needs. The plug-in hybrid-electric Kia Sorento PHEV and the upcoming Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV both offer a compact third-row standard.

Related Story: Are Third Row Seats the Death Trap Some Think They Are?

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 is an exciting new player in the rapidly-expanding green crossover utility vehicle market. It brings new levels of refinement and technology to the class. However, Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 also lacks some important features that we look for in green crossover utility vehicles. Tell us how you feel about these features in the comments section below. Are any of them features that you would like to have in your next green crossover utility vehicle?

Hyundai IONIQ 5 images by John Goreham. Wireless Android Auto image courtesy of Hyundai. Spare tire in Toyota RAV4 Prime image by John Goreham. Tesla Model Y third-row seat image used with permission of Shannon L.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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Comments

James wrote on December 19, 2021 - 11:59pm
More important than any of these is HIGHER GROUND CLEARANCE! Like the car but the bumper will be damaged in no time at all.
John Goreham wrote on December 20, 2021 - 9:26am
Great point, James. It has parking sensors, but everyone tunes out the constant Beeb Beep Beep after the first few days. At least I do.
Gary c wrote on December 20, 2021 - 7:15pm
Rear windshield wiper. Northern climates need it!
John Goreham wrote on December 20, 2021 - 8:48pm
Great spot, Gary C. I totally missed that one.
George Knutson wrote on December 20, 2021 - 7:17pm
NO SPARE TIRE KILLS IT 4 ME: we had a Ford fusion plug-in electric, the Enerdi, and that did not have a spare to her dismay when a sidewalk burst during a return from Katrina. It was 6 o’clock at night and there was no way of fixing the tire. All the gas stations were closed. We had to spend the night at some fleabag motel near Gainesville Florida and I can tell you that was no fun. We got rid of that Ford fusion a month later just because of that problem. There’s a market for someone to come up with some kind of foldable spare that could be placed in the car at least on long trips. If a tire blows in a city you have lots of options but not so in the boonies and there is the big risk.
John Goreham wrote on December 20, 2021 - 8:47pm
Modern Spare has a solution, the remaining problem is that the automakers are also stealing the space where the compact spare was in the past. Such a shame. Thanks for sharing your story.
Larry Zamba wrote on December 21, 2021 - 10:01am
John, you mention the Ioniq. 5 needs a third row row of seats in a vehicle that you also wrote isn’t big enough to accommodate a third row of seats. It doesn’t make sense - most cars don’t have 3 rows and I’m fine with this configuration. They are releasing larger vehicles that a might make a third row possible. According to reports though it needs a rear window wiper - the aerodynamic magic it has doesn’t work to keep the window clean. Like Bluetooth Apple car play play I don’t know why they skimped here.
John Goreham wrote on December 21, 2021 - 10:40am
I was pretty careful not to say it "needed" a third row. Just that it does not have a third row and other green crossovers its approximate size and others in its price range do. I say pretty much what you do here - that the form factor is just too small. Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated.
David Lucas wrote on December 22, 2021 - 2:53am
As an owner of one of these here are some others things it needs in the UK? Definitely, Auto pop-out handles. Were only on the Limited P45 Lights behind the door handles, so at night you can find them Headlights that defrost, with LED bulbs and no engine the frost/ice doesn't melt Heated rearview camera or sunk in a little more so doesn't get affected by rain A better App, wouldn't mind paying a small fee for better development Touch screen closer to the driver, it's a long reach.
TS2000 wrote on December 22, 2021 - 1:55pm
Points 1 and #2 are valid. #3 and #4 are not. Especially #4.
Heather wrote on June 17, 2022 - 12:19am
My biggest complaint is that the SEL doesn’t have driver seat memory. They have different profiles for different drivers. Why would they leave that off. Personally like having a wireless charger. I have a separate work phone, so able to charge that while my personal phone is plugged in. It’s also nice for when you have a passenger that needs to charge their phone. HOWEVER, the wireless charger does not work well and overheats.