Like its stablemate, the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric car that dares to be different. Unlike the Kia the Hyundai employs straight lines, tight angles and bold creases to create its own strong identity. Overall it's a much boxier, squared off, look than its fellow Korean, but it is just as eye-catching.

It is also, despite its family hatchback-alike looks, huge. For comparison, the distance between the front and rear axles is on a par with the Audi A8 – three metres – and, as a consequence, passenger space is beyond generous. Overall the 4,600mm length and 1,600mm height is about on a par with the Q5.

It might be from the same stable but the Hyundai EV6 – as well as the VW ID.4, Skodda Enyaq and Tesla Model 3 – is also competing for the same buyers so the Ioniq 5 is facing some stiff competition. It doesn’t qualify for any electric vehicle subsidies from the government and this is no budget EV so you can expect to cough up a fair amount of cash but it offers a decent range in the region of 300 miles and fast charging.

You can choose between two battery sizes, front or four wheel-drive, three trim levels plus a number of optional extras designed to make electric car-ownership a less daunting proposition.

It looks the part then, the Ioniq 5, and the specs suggest that, on paper, it has what it takes to compete with what is a bunch of talented rivals but what’s it like in the real world? Let’s find out.

Climb in and you’ll find that you sit quite high up, almost SUV-like. As a result you get a commanding view of the road ahead, while big windows and door mirrors also help with all-round visibility. Ultimate versions are fitted with an ingenious monitoring system that uses cameras to transmit the blind-spot view onto a display in the instrument panel.

Speaking of the instrument panel, it’s basically a pair of 12in (give or take) LCD panels – one to display driving data and the other infotainment – that looks all very modern and clean but, yes there’s a but, depending on your driving position you might find that the top of the steering wheel can obscure some of the graphics.

And, speaking of graphics, the ones on display here are crisp and clear, though some of them are small and a little awkward to use on the move. The good news is that the screen is quick to respond to inputs so you won’t find yourself having to repeatedly look away from the road to prod, prod and prod again.

The menu layout is reasonably simple and intuitive to use plus there are some handy shortcut buttons beneath the screen, simple controls on the steering wheel – complemented by voice control – that all combine to make accessing some of the more commonly used functions quick and simple.

Apple CarPlay and its Android equivalent Auto are both included, as is wireless phone charging, across the range as standard. Ultimate trip is equipped with a premium Bose sound system and head-up display that adds augmented reality – projecting real-time information, like sat-nav instructions, is projected onto the windscreen – to the mix.

Regular readers will know how much I appreciate analogue controls for commonly used features like, for example, climate control. Sadly the EV6 offers no such luxury and, instead, the controls are touch-sensitive which is more of a distraction when driving than it ideal. They are, at least, in a separate panel beneath the touchscreen.

Strangely, for a hatchback, there’s no rear windscreen wiper fitted. That might not seem like such a big deal and it isn’t, not when you’re travelling at speed when the airflow is designed to clear water from the windscreen, but when you’re trying to reverse park in the rain it does present a bit of a problem. Help does come in the form of a rear-view camera which is fitted to all versions as standard but the absence of a wiper remains a strange omission.

Material quality could be better, with some of the plastics, particularly on the on the passenger-side of the dashboard and on the doors, flexing under a little pressure.

Being that this is a big car you’re probably expecting a substantial amount of interior space and there is. Head and leg room is generous in the front but it’s when you climb in the rear that it becomes apparent just how cavernous the passenger compartment is. We are talking limo-like levels of legroom. Even with 6ft-plus passengers in the front, there’s still room for anyone in the back and stretch out.

The flat floor means that even someone sitting in the middle of rear bench doesn’t get a raw deal.

Rear headroom isn’t quite as generous, but most passengers will be able to sit comfortably without the irritation of their bouffant hair-dos constantly brushing against the headlining.

Storage is impressive, too, with lots of cubbyholes dotted around and you can slide the centre console fore and aft to change the position of the armrest.

There are three powertrain configurations to choose from. The entry-level version, called in the RWD 170 has a 54kWh battery and 168hp motor which, as the name suggests, sends power to the rear wheels. It will reach 62mph from a standing start in 8.5 seconds,

Next up is the RWD 217. It has a 70kWh battery and a 215hp battery. It, too, sends power to the rear wheels but reduces the 0-62mph time to a quite impressive 7 seconds.

Finally there’s the AWD 305, which sits at the top of the range. It utilises the same 7okWh battery but, you’ve guessed it, sends power to all four wheels. In this version the 0-62mph sprint takes just 5.2 seconds.

It’s quick, then, but unlike its sibling the EV6, it doesn’t handle with any real finesse. The soft suspension set-up means it can feel a little unresponsive, a little sluggish, when you ask it to change direction quickly. The front end is slow to turn in and, when it does, there’s a significant amount of body lean which can sap confidence driving along a tight and twisty country road.

The flip side of opting for a softer suspension set-up is, potentially, a more comfortable, accommodating ride and the Ioniq 5 delivers handsomely on this score. It smooths out most bumps and imperfections with very little fuss and, indeed, it’s only at higher speeds over undulating roads that the ride can become a little bouncy.

There’s little in the way of road noise from the 19in tyres and wind noise is almost non-existent too. The only real intrusion is the occasional thud from the suspension.

The Ioniq 5's range depends on which version you go for. The RWD 170’s official range is quoted at 238 miles, the RWD’s at 298 and the AWD 305 285, but you should expect a shortfall of 20 to 30 miles at least in the real world.

The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split configuration which doesn’t provide the same degree of flexibility as the more 40/20/40 set-up. The rear bench does slide forwards and backwards, though, and can be reclined.

The range-topping Ultimate trim has Premium Relaxation Seats among the options. These recline to an almost flat position with a leg rest that extends as you lean the chair back so you can literally out your feet up while you wait for the battery to charge.

The boot is a decent size – although some of its rivals enjoy a reasonable advantage in this area – with a capacity of 527 litres with the rear seats in place, rising to 1,587 with them stowed flat.

There’s little in the way of storage space beneath the bonnet and just enough underfloor space in the boot to carry a charging cable.

It’s looks alone are probably enough to guarantee a few sales but there are plenty of other reasons to invest in an Ioniq 5. Yes the handling is a little loose in corners and there are a few question marks over interior quality but the ride is good and refinement excellent whatever speed you’re travelling at. You also get a cavernous passenger space and lightning-quick charging speeds (where available).

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Ultimate 73kWh AWD +Eco Pack & Tech Pack

OTR Price (from): £51,900

Battery type: 73kWh

Transmission: Twin Motor AWD

Max power (PS): 305

Max torque: 605Nm

Max speed: 115mph

0-62mph: 5.2sec

Charging

Emergency 3-pin (95%): 30 h 45

7kW single phase (100%): 10 h 53

10.5kW 3 phase (100%): 6 h 9 min

50kW CCS (80%): 56 min 30 sec

For more information visit www.hyundai.co.uk

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