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As electric vehicles continue their rapid rise, Hyundai has stepped into the spotlight with its latest creation—the 2022 IONIQ 5. Sandy Munro and Corey Steuben recently took an in-depth first look at this all-electric crossover, offering valuable teardown-style insights into its styling, performance, build quality, and engineering decisions. While the review wasn’t a full teardown yet, Munro’s immediate impressions provide a strong signal about Hyundai’s serious push into premium EV territory.
Let’s dive into what makes the Hyundai IONIQ 5 stand out, where it impresses, and what opportunities exist for improvement.
Styling: Bold, Clean, and Modern
Right from the outset, Sandy Munro praised the IONIQ 5’s styling. He described it as “masculine” and “aggressive,” a clear evolution from Hyundai’s earlier EV efforts like the Kona and Niro. The clean front fascia, devoid of the awkward faux grills that plagued early EVs, marks a mature design decision. Active grille shutters subtly manage airflow without compromising aesthetics.
The headlamps, perched assertively over the hood, and the near absence of chrome (besides the emblem) contribute to a sleek, modern look. Hyundai’s designers prioritized simplicity with molded-in-color surfaces and minimal brightwork, a design choice Sandy found refreshing.
Build Quality: Gap Control and Clean Lines
Munro’s decades of experience evaluating vehicle quality came through when he examined the IONIQ 5’s body panels. “The gaps here are just spectacular,” he noted, highlighting Hyundai’s leap in manufacturing precision.
He also commended Hyundai for clever design around the window seals and trim. Rather than relying on black-out tape or cheap plastics, the IONIQ 5 uses a clean beauty line and color-matched trims, even around challenging areas like the shark fin antenna and mirror accents. This approach hides potential imperfections, elevating the vehicle’s premium feel. Many competitors, including legacy American brands, often struggle in this area.
Performance: Surprisingly Agile
Corey, who drove the press vehicle, reported that the IONIQ 5 handled impressively on their makeshift track. Powered by an 800-volt system and dual motors (320 total horsepower), the crossover clocked only two seconds slower than a Tesla Model S Plaid on a small skid pad—a feat considering it wasn’t piloted by a professional driver.
Its low center of gravity, enabled by the 77.4 kWh battery pack, contributed to sharp handling and strong stability under cornering. For EV enthusiasts and automotive engineers, this speaks to Hyundai’s growing mastery of electric powertrain and chassis integration.
Wheel Design: Function Meets Form
While opinions at Munro & Associates were split over the IONIQ 5’s two-tone wheels, Sandy ultimately appreciated their aerodynamic focus. Described as reminiscent of 1980s styling but modernized for efficiency, the wheels reflect Hyundai’s balance of style and function.
Although not everyone may favor the busy visual texture, their contribution to aero performance and overall aggressive stance earned a nod from Munro.
Interior: Thoughtful Features with Some Opportunities
Inside, the IONIQ 5 continues its clean design philosophy. The interior feels open, modern, and practical. Sandy particularly liked the customizable features, like the sliding center console and the programmable “star button” on the steering wheel that can trigger personalized shortcuts.
The dual-position rear sunshades—a feature rarely seen outside premium brands—impressed Sandy and Corey for their user-friendly innovation, offering flexibility for rear passengers without adding mechanical complexity.
However, some areas fell short. Sandy criticized the redundant physical climate controls. He went on to suggest the controls could have been eliminated to save costs. Given the comprehensive digital interface available, this would have also streamlined the dash. Similarly, the shifter stalk and traditional 12V outlet felt dated compared to what could be achieved with newer design approaches.
Rear Styling and Trunk Space: A Mixed Bag
Sandy surprisingly preferred the rear styling of the IONIQ 5 over the front, praising the clean execution of the blackout elements and tail light design, which cleverly conceals welds and potential blemishes.
However, trunk and frunk space disappointed. Sandy noted the limited storage room, and the small, confusing frunk—marked by color-coded components and unclear instructions—stood out as a missed opportunity, especially for an EV where front storage is often expected.
Additionally, the underhood revealed a more fragmented and less consolidated cooling system compared to Tesla’s approach, suggesting future cost or serviceability improvements for Hyundai.
Engineering Observations: Solid Foundation, Room to Optimize
Peeking beneath the surface, Munro spotted multiple fluid reservoirs and decentralized components under the hood—a contrast to the streamlined architectures he’s praised in Tesla designs. This hints at opportunities for Hyundai to lean more heavily into lean manufacturing principles in future iterations, consolidating parts and reducing complexity for cost and maintenance advantages.
Still, given that the IONIQ 5 represents a major leap forward compared to Hyundai’s earlier EVs, it’s clear they are rapidly closing the gap with industry leaders.
Final Thoughts: Hyundai Has Arrived
From Sandy Munro’s seasoned perspective, the 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a huge achievement. It combines innovative styling, excellent build quality, and solid performance in a package that feels legitimately premium. While a few areas could be optimized for cost reduction and storage utility, the foundation is remarkably strong.
For automotive engineers, EV enthusiasts, and investors tracking the evolving landscape of electric mobility, the IONIQ 5 signals that Hyundai is no longer just chasing leaders like Tesla—it’s staking its claim as a serious competitor.
Key Takeaways:
- Styling: Clean, bold, and aerodynamically purposeful.
- Build Quality: Outstanding gap management and color matching.
- Performance: Strong handling and acceleration, bolstered by an 800-volt architecture.
- Interior: Modern, flexible, but with some redundant features.
- Engineering: Excellent first principles but opportunities for component consolidation.
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