Tour the sleek and spacious interior of the $56,000 Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV

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Tim LevinApr 10, 2022, 17:18 IST
Tour the sleek and spacious interior of the $56,000 Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric SUV

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

  • We tested the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, a new electric SUV looking to compete with the Tesla Model Y.
  • It delivers a surprisingly big-feeling interior for a compact SUV. Plus, it doesn't look half bad.
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Feast your eyes on the 2022 Ioniq 5, Hyundai's new and incredibly cool-looking electric SUV.

Feast your eyes on the 2022 Ioniq 5, Hyundai's new and incredibly cool-looking electric SUV.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5Tim Levin/Insider

Read our full review of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 here: The $56,000 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric living room on wheels that'll make you want to ditch gas for good

While the Ioniq 5's cyberpunk looks certainly turn heads, it's what's on the inside that really counts. After all, what's the use of a pretty car that's a pain to spend time in?

While the Ioniq 5's cyberpunk looks certainly turn heads, it's what's on the inside that really counts. After all, what's the use of a pretty car that's a pain to spend time in?
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Since electric cars don't need a transmission and other bulky parts, Hyundai was able to free up tons of space inside the Ioniq 5. The result is a surprisingly spacious interior that has plenty of room for people and their stuff.

Since electric cars don't need a transmission and other bulky parts, Hyundai was able to free up tons of space inside the Ioniq 5. The result is a surprisingly spacious interior that has plenty of room for people and their stuff.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin

The cabin also benefits from a delightfully minimalist design that makes things feel even more open and uncluttered. Here's a tour:

The cabin also benefits from a delightfully minimalist design that makes things feel even more open and uncluttered. Here's a tour:
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Let's start with the screens. The Ioniq 5 has two 12.3-inch displays on a floating panel.

Let's start with the screens. The Ioniq 5 has two 12.3-inch displays on a floating panel.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

The driver-facing screen shows things like battery life, range, speed, and cruise control. A graphic on the right indicates when the car is using energy, and when it's recouping electricity through braking.

The driver-facing screen shows things like battery life, range, speed, and cruise control. A graphic on the right indicates when the car is using energy, and when it's recouping electricity through braking.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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The main infotainment display is intuitive and responsive to touch inputs. The home screen shows your range and battery life.

The main infotainment display is intuitive and responsive to touch inputs. The home screen shows your range and battery life.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Since the screen is extra wide, it can display apps side by side. For example, it can show the map and radio at the same time.

Since the screen is extra wide, it can display apps side by side. For example, it can show the map and radio at the same time.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Fortunately, you don't need to use the Ioniq 5's screen for everything like you would in some other electric cars. Below it, you'll find buttons for the climate controls, a volume knob, along with shortcuts to other settings.

Fortunately, you don't need to use the Ioniq 5's screen for everything like you would in some other electric cars. Below it, you'll find buttons for the climate controls, a volume knob, along with shortcuts to other settings.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Read more: I spent 5 days with Hyundai's sleek new electric SUV. Here are the 5 features I liked the most about the Ioniq 5.

The Ioniq 5 gets a funky, two-spoke steering wheel.

The Ioniq 5 gets a funky, two-spoke steering wheel.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Instead of having the Hyundai logo on it, the airbag just shows four squares. These blocks are a theme that Hyundai carried throughout the car.

Instead of having the Hyundai logo on it, the airbag just shows four squares. These blocks are a theme that Hyundai carried throughout the car.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

There are squares everywhere you look. They're on the doors ...

There are squares everywhere you look. They're on the doors ...
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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... on the seats ...

... on the seats ...
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

... and on the door sills.

... and on the door sills.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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One of the most unique things about the Ioniq 5 is its flat floor and lack of a conventional center console. That means there's room by the front seats for a bag or other cargo.

One of the most unique things about the Ioniq 5 is its flat floor and lack of a conventional center console. That means there's room by the front seats for a bag or other cargo.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

All that open space also means there's nothing to dig into your right knee while you're driving — a huge plus.

All that open space also means there's nothing to dig into your right knee while you're driving — a huge plus.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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In the most expensive Limited trim, which Hyundai loaned to us for review, the center console slides forward and backward so you can choose where to allocate space. Here it is pushed all the way forward.

In the most expensive Limited trim, which Hyundai loaned to us for review, the center console slides forward and backward so you can choose where to allocate space. Here it is pushed all the way forward.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

And Hyundai offers lots of other nooks and crannies to stash your stuff. There's a cubby by the driver's feet.

And Hyundai offers lots of other nooks and crannies to stash your stuff. There's a cubby by the driver's feet.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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As you'd expect, there's a bit of storage in the armrest.

As you'd expect, there's a bit of storage in the armrest.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

And the whole thing flips up to reveal a deep storage spot.

And the whole thing flips up to reveal a deep storage spot.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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The trunk is decently sized, but not huge. It's plenty of space for a few people's luggage.

The trunk is decently sized, but not huge. It's plenty of space for a few people's luggage.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

To put the Ioniq 5's cargo capacity in the context of its rivals, it's less than the Tesla Model Y but roughly on par with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4.

To put the Ioniq 5's cargo capacity in the context of its rivals, it's less than the Tesla Model Y but roughly on par with the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Read more: The $40,000 Volkswagen ID.4 is the perfect electric SUV for people hesitant to ditch their gas cars

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The Ioniq 5 has a frunk, too... kind of.

The Ioniq 5 has a frunk, too... kind of.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Where the Ioniq 5 really shines (at least in the top-end model we tested) is comfort. All the open space makes for a relaxing atmosphere, and the Ioniq 5's seats felt cushy and supportive on long trips.

Where the Ioniq 5 really shines (at least in the top-end model we tested) is comfort. All the open space makes for a relaxing atmosphere, and the Ioniq 5's seats felt cushy and supportive on long trips.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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The front seats recline all the way back and offer an optional calf rest for those who really want to stretch out.

The front seats recline all the way back and offer an optional calf rest for those who really want to stretch out.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

I couldn't quite get the calf rest to support my legs. Maybe I'm built wrong for it. But it could theoretically come in handy during a particularly lengthy charging stop.

I couldn't quite get the calf rest to support my legs. Maybe I'm built wrong for it. But it could theoretically come in handy during a particularly lengthy charging stop.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Hyundai
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The back seat isn't lacking room either.

The back seat isn't lacking room either.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

And in the Limited trim, a big glass roof adds headroom and a sense of space.

And in the Limited trim, a big glass roof adds headroom and a sense of space.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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In all but the cheapest trim, you get colorful, ambient lighting in the doors and around the speakers.

In all but the cheapest trim, you get colorful, ambient lighting in the doors and around the speakers.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Plus, there are a bunch of USB outlets scattered throughout the cabin. A wireless charging pad by the driver is optional.

Plus, there are a bunch of USB outlets scattered throughout the cabin. A wireless charging pad by the driver is optional.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Top-trim models get a standard household outlet below the rear seats, so owners can plug in a laptop, blender, or other device.

Top-trim models get a standard household outlet below the rear seats, so owners can plug in a laptop, blender, or other device.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

A few minor complaints: I would've liked actual clicky buttons for the climate controls rather than touch-sensitive tappy ones, which are annoying to use while driving. And both the wireless charging pad and the USB port used to connect to Apple CarPlay are oddly hard to reach.

A few minor complaints: I would've liked actual clicky buttons for the climate controls rather than touch-sensitive tappy ones, which are annoying to use while driving. And both the wireless charging pad and the USB port used to connect to Apple CarPlay are oddly hard to reach.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Overall, the Ioniq 5's interior is spacious, well-designed, and smartly packaged. It incorporates some fun, innovative features without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Five stars.

Overall, the Ioniq 5's interior is spacious, well-designed, and smartly packaged. It incorporates some fun, innovative features without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Five stars.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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