Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq 2023 Review

Jun 21, 2023

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV has been a huge success for the Korean brand, routinely selling out whenever fresh supplies arrive and winning accolades along the way – including carsales’ Car of the Year in 2021. This year, the IONIQ 5 has received an important update that sees it more closely match the related Kia EV6 in terms of e-motor power and driving range, among a wider range of upgrades. There are more rivals now entering the fast-growing EV segment, and while the premium position of the IONIQ 5 has been reaffirmed with this 2023 model year overhaul, Hyundai’s high-tech electric car remains an excellent contender in class – as seen here in the dual-motor/all-wheel drive Techniq.

The new and improved 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 has seen price increases applied to the entry-level single-motor Dynamiq RWD, now starting from $72,000 plus on-road costs (+$2100), and the mid-spec dual-motor Techniq AWD on test that opens at $79,500 plus ORCs (+$2000).

There’s also a new flagship dual-motor Epiq AWD, priced from $85,000 plus ORCs.

You can see from these prices that the premium position of the IONIQ 5 remains, but it’s competitive against major rivals such as the closely related Kia EV6 and the top-selling Tesla Model Y.

It also still remains highly attractive as premium brands enter the fray with new EVs, such as the Lexus RZ and BMW iX3.

Equipment levels are good in this mid-spec 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq, with only a few items differentiating it and the new flagship IONIQ 5 Epiq.

The boxy body of the IONIQ 5 Techniq features LEDs front and rear, daytime running lights, auto-sensing headlights, concealed power door handles (with keyless entry), satin chrome door and bumper trims, liquid silver body cladding, alloy scuff plates and 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres (255/45).

The pixel graphics of the exterior lighting is a cool design trait of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 range.

Inside, the driver and front passenger are provided with 12-way electric-adjust seats with lumbar and calf support, heating, ventilation and a ‘relaxation’ comfort seat function (zero gravity position).

Sound comes to you via a Bose premium eight-speaker audio system, while other premium features include leather-appointed trim across the cabin, dual-zone climate control, LED mood lighting, a heated steering wheel, and much more.

Rear occupants benefit from seat heating and electric fore-aft seat base adjustment, as well as manual backrest recline.

You’ll also find power child safety locks for the doors and rear windows as well as two ISOFIX positions and three top tether anchor points in the second row, where privacy glass and sun shades are also fitted standard.

The main differences between the Techniq and Epiq is the latter’s addition of digital exterior mirrors, a high-efficiency heat pump, battery conditioning system and a fixed glass roof with electric sun blind.

In a competitive move, Hyundai Australia has extended the IONIQ 5's service interval period to two years or 30,000km (whichever comes first), with capped-price servicing costs set at $570 for the initial service, $1090 for the four-year/60,000km and $570 for the six-year/90,000km service.

The 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating from 2021, with all variants fitted with an extensive array of safety equipment.

Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite includes blind spot warning, blind spot monitor, driver attention warning, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree view camera.

Front, side, centre and curtain airbags are also standard on all IONIQ 5 models.

Cabin technology fitted standard across the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 range remains every bit as impressive as the EV’s safety suite.

Nestled in those tech-savvy seats, you’re a soft touch or voice command away from an array of smart and intuitive tech features.

Dual 12.3-inch screens occupy the bulk of the dashboard and integrate infotainment and in-car settings, including AM/FM/DAB radio with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six pre-set ‘sounds of nature’ to complement your ambient lighting choices, satellite navigation, digital instrumentation and battery-electric vehicle monitoring of aspects such as driving style, range and recharge locations.

The multifunction steering wheel presents a variety of shortcut buttons, voice control activation, and there’s a great head-up display, too.

Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability – inside and outside the vehicle – make the IONIQ 5 a trusty source for powering everyday appliances – laptops, hair-straighteners, coffee machines and other daily essentials that you probably won’t admit to taking on a camping trip.

An upgraded, larger battery is the headline under-the-skin change for the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5.

Replacing the previous 72.6kWh lithium-ion battery is a 77.4kWh pack that brings more power and extended range for both single-motor/rear-wheel drive and dual-motor/AWD models.

Whereas the previous dual-motor IONIQ 5 produced 225kW and 605Nm, the 2023 models produce a more generous, not-to-be-scoffed-at, 239kW and the same amount of torque.

Power is sent to all four wheels via a single-speed transmission.

The IONIQ 5 also has a maximum braked towing capacity of 1600kg across the range.

The upgraded battery pack gives the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq a WLTP-verified range of 454km, which is an increase of 24km over the previous dual-motor/AWD model.

And while those extra kilometres don’t seem like much, they are when you consider the fact that most Australian (city-based) commutes are an average of 34km per day.

At a 50kW fast-charging station, the IONIQ 5 will replenish the battery from 10-80 per cent in a claimed 73 minutes. Using an ultra-fast 350kW charger, that time drops to 18 minutes.

Drawing on AC power at 7kW, the IONIQ 5 will take 11h45min to charge from 10-100 per cent.

Energy consumption is on par with the previous model, listed at 19.1kWh/100km for the Techniq.

Thanks to some of the most comfortable seats this driver has occupied in some time, it’s very easy to get comfortable behind the wheel of the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq.

Its boxy proportions make outward vision great, too – and from there on in, it’s smooth sailing.

Much like the no-fuss interior of the IONIQ 5, the driving experience follows suit.

Putting aside the supreme comfort and clever gadgetry, the dual-motor IONIQ 5 goes – and quickly, staying true to the immediate torquey power we expect from an EV. The throttle response is punchy, and brakes are quick to bring you to a standstill.

You can use the steering wheel paddles to change the level of regenerating braking – all the way to one-pedal driving if you wish. There are drive modes of Eco, Sport and Normal, too, which allow you to alter the performance and feel at the wheel… just like a ‘normal’ car!

This is a family SUV, so keep that in mind when you critique the IONIQ 5’s ability to athletically dive into corners. Despite its surprising pace – 0-100kmh in a claimed 5.1sec – it’s not a hot hatch… so don’t judge it as such.

Is it an excellent battery-electric family SUV? Absolutely. And I use the term SUV lightly, because a 160mm ground clearance presents more like a regular hatchback to me. Its Tardis-like interior, on the other hand, screams SUV.

The low centre of gravity and hefty (2125kg) tare weight keeps the IONIQ 5 glued flat to the road. It goes, stops and turns well. Even tackles suburban speed humps with grace.

Ride refinement is probably the one area where the IONIQ 5 falls slightly behind the competition – think Tesla Model 3 and Kia EV6 – which have honed their vehicle dynamics better than the IONIQ 5.

The 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq has the technological appeal of the latest smartphone with the pared-back styling of a brutalist ski lodge. Less is more. Unless you do, in fact, love more… then the Kia EV6 might be more to your liking.

Beauty is in the eye of the car holder, but there’s no disputing the practical and functional design of the IONIQ 5. It’s great. There are sleek and simple lines and a minimalist approach to the cabin that is in complete contrast to, say, the quirky design of a BYD Atto 3 or the ritzy interior of a BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

It’s the chosen design aesthetic that Hyundai, and to a lesser extend Kia, have adopted for their all-new electric vehicles to date.

This interior is all about the dual screens, making technology the hero of the cabin. Closely followed by impressive storage and practicality. The sliding centre storage unit is a clever example of creating a dynamic space.

Hyundai has used a variety of materials that blend nicely and make for a visually interesting interior. There are plenty of hard plastics, but they’ve mostly been limited to high-use areas like the (sliding) centre console that need to be more robust and wipe-clean friendly.

The second row is large enough for three passengers, without compromise. Outward vision is great and amenity good, including an arm rest with cup holders, charge points and seatback pockets.

The electric tailgate reveals a generous boot that grows from 527 litres to 1587L with the rear seats folded flat. There’s an additional 24L in the under-bonnet frunk and a useful 9L in the drawer-style glove compartment.

There’s no spare tyre, but a tyre mobility repair kit can be found under the boot floor.

With a drive-away price of about $85,000 depending on where you live, the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq is a premium electric car that’s competing in what we once considered prestige territory.

But EVs have shifted the boundaries and, as we’ve found on various other occasions (including our 2021 Car of the Year awards), the IONIQ 5 remains well worth the asking price.

At this high spec, armed with a more powerful and longer-range dual-motor powertrain than before, you’ll be hard pressed to find a comparable ‘traditional’ prestige EV anywhere near close to $85K.

Granted, there are some strong competitors around this price point, but few, if any, have the character of the design-savvy IONIQ 5.

You can see where I’m going with this.

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a strong, value-for-money contender in this elevated class, with style as a key point of difference.

2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Techniq at a glance:Price: $79,500 (plus on-road costs)Available: NowPowertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motorsOutput: 239kW/605NmTransmission: Single-speed reduction gearBattery: 77.4kWh lithium-ionRange: 454km (WLTP)Energy consumption: 19.1kWh/100km (WLTP)Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

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