I drove Hyundai's new electric SUV that looks like a sci-fi spaceship. Take a full photo tour of the Ioniq 5.

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I drove Hyundai's new electric SUV that looks like a sci-fi spaceship. Take a full photo tour of the Ioniq 5.
  • Hyundai's Ioniq 5 is one of the coolest and most popular new electric cars on the market. I got to drive it.
  • The small SUV packs swift acceleration, great range, striking style, and a roomy yet minimal interior.
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In 2022, Tesla is far from the only game in town. Ford, Volkswagen, and others have come out with popular and stylish electric alternatives to Elon Musk's vehicles.

In 2022, Tesla is far from the only game in town. Ford, Volkswagen, and others have come out with popular and stylish electric alternatives to Elon Musk's vehicles.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

One of the most exciting electric rides to hit streets recently is Hyundai's Ioniq 5.

One of the most exciting electric rides to hit streets recently is Hyundai's Ioniq 5.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5Tim Levin/Insider
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And I got to drive it.

And I got to drive it.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

The new SUV features futuristic looks, an ultra-comfy interior, and some ingenious features you can't get anywhere else.

The new SUV features futuristic looks, an ultra-comfy interior, and some ingenious features you can't get anywhere else.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Here's a full tour of the Ioniq 5 and everything it has to offer.

Here's a full tour of the Ioniq 5 and everything it has to offer.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

The SUV has a sci-fi flair to it that sets it apart from anything else on the road.

The SUV has a sci-fi flair to it that sets it apart from anything else on the road.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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It has flush door handles that pop out when the car is unlocked.

It has flush door handles that pop out when the car is unlocked.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

And it's packed full of hard angles and edges, including dramatic creases running diagonally across its sides.

And it's packed full of hard angles and edges, including dramatic creases running diagonally across its sides.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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In front and back, Hyundai gave the Ioniq 5 lights made up of arrays of little pixels. It's a fun touch that looks like it could be straight out of the 1980s.

In front and back, Hyundai gave the Ioniq 5 lights made up of arrays of little pixels. It's a fun touch that looks like it could be straight out of the 1980s.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

The 2022 Ioniq 5 is available in three trim levels and starts at $39,700.

The 2022 Ioniq 5 is available in three trim levels and starts at $39,700.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin
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Each model can be bought either with a single motor and rear-wheel drive or two motors and all-wheel-drive.

Each model can be bought either with a single motor and rear-wheel drive or two motors and all-wheel-drive.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

Read Insider's full review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 here.

Rear-wheel drive gets you the most range: up to 303 miles with the optional larger battery pack.

Rear-wheel drive gets you the most range: up to 303 miles with the optional larger battery pack.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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The fully-loaded, Limited AWD model that Hyundai lent me for a weekend came out to around $56,000, including a destination fee.

The fully-loaded, Limited AWD model that Hyundai lent me for a weekend came out to around $56,000, including a destination fee.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

It was a joy to drive, providing quick acceleration that made passing slow-moving traffic or merging onto the highway effortless.

It was a joy to drive, providing quick acceleration that made passing slow-moving traffic or merging onto the highway effortless.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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All-wheel-drive models put out 320 horsepower and can sprint to 60 mph in a brisk five seconds, Hyundai says.

All-wheel-drive models put out 320 horsepower and can sprint to 60 mph in a brisk five seconds, Hyundai says.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

But powering two extra wheels knocks range down to an estimated 256 miles. Still good, but not great.

But powering two extra wheels knocks range down to an estimated 256 miles. Still good, but not great.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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There are a few driving settings to choose from. Eco mode disables the front motor to optimize efficiency, while Sport mode boosts performance.

There are a few driving settings to choose from. Eco mode disables the front motor to optimize efficiency, while Sport mode boosts performance.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

In any mode, the SUV glides smoothly, quietly, and comfortably down the road.

In any mode, the SUV glides smoothly, quietly, and comfortably down the road.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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And after you deplete the Ioniq 5's battery pack, it charges up super quickly. It can use 350-kilowatt fast-charging stations, the most powerful type.

And after you deplete the Ioniq 5's battery pack, it charges up super quickly. It can use 350-kilowatt fast-charging stations, the most powerful type.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 charges at an Electrify America fast charging station.Tim Levin/Insider

It can charge from 10%-80% in a claimed 18 minutes.

It can charge from 10%-80% in a claimed 18 minutes.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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Another neat feature in the Hyundai: It has bidirectional charging capability.

Another neat feature in the Hyundai: It has bidirectional charging capability.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

Stick an included adapter into the charging port, and you can plug in a laptop, microwave, stereo system, or whatever else your heart desires. (So long as it doesn't draw too much power.)

Stick an included adapter into the charging port, and you can plug in a laptop, microwave, stereo system, or whatever else your heart desires. (So long as it doesn't draw too much power.)
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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Slip inside the Ioniq 5 and you're greeted by an interior that feels way roomier than you'd expect from a relatively compact SUV.

Slip inside the Ioniq 5 and you're greeted by an interior that feels way roomier than you'd expect from a relatively compact SUV.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

The cabin is sparse and uncluttered without feeling lifeless.

The cabin is sparse and uncluttered without feeling lifeless.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Hyundai built a brand-new electric platform for the Ioniq 5. And it took the opportunity to optimize interior space in clever ways.

Hyundai built a brand-new electric platform for the Ioniq 5. And it took the opportunity to optimize interior space in clever ways.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

The SUV has a completely flat floor. And since there's no bulky transmission tunnel between the driver and front-seat passenger, Hyundai left some open space for a handbag or backpack.

The SUV has a completely flat floor. And since there's no bulky transmission tunnel between the driver and front-seat passenger, Hyundai left some open space for a handbag or backpack.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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There's also a big open space below the armrest for more cargo.

There's also a big open space below the armrest for more cargo.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

The center console slides forward and backward to free up floor space as needed.

The center console slides forward and backward to free up floor space as needed.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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That's something you won't see anywhere else.

That's something you won't see anywhere else.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Up front, the SUV has two 12.3-inch screens on a simple, rectangular panel.

Up front, the SUV has two 12.3-inch screens on a simple, rectangular panel.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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The driver-facing screen shows the car's speed, battery percentage, range, and cruise-control settings.

The driver-facing screen shows the car's speed, battery percentage, range, and cruise-control settings.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

The main display is home to the media player, navigation, charging settings, and other apps.

The main display is home to the media player, navigation, charging settings, and other apps.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Since it's extra wide, you can run two apps side-by-side. I found it responsive to the touch and easy to use.

Since it's extra wide, you can run two apps side-by-side. I found it responsive to the touch and easy to use.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Below the screen, there's a row of shortcut buttons and tap-sensitive controls for the A/C and heating. Unlike in a Tesla, you don't need to use the touchscreen for every little thing.

Below the screen, there's a row of shortcut buttons and tap-sensitive controls for the A/C and heating. Unlike in a Tesla, you don't need to use the touchscreen for every little thing.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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But you do need to use the screen to activate the heated and ventilated seats, which I found annoying to do while driving.

But you do need to use the screen to activate the heated and ventilated seats, which I found annoying to do while driving.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

My tester also had a nifty head-up display, which projects important things like one's speed and blind-spot status onto the windshield.

My tester also had a nifty head-up display, which projects important things like one's speed and blind-spot status onto the windshield.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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One of my favorite parts of the Ioniq 5 is its blind-spot cameras. When you flick the turn signal, a view of your blind spot pops up on the screen in front of you.

One of my favorite parts of the Ioniq 5 is its blind-spot cameras. When you flick the turn signal, a view of your blind spot pops up on the screen in front of you.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

All over the interior, you'll see a motif of little squares that mirror the headlights and taillights. Instead of a Hyundai logo on the steering wheel: squares.

All over the interior, you'll see a motif of little squares that mirror the headlights and taillights. Instead of a Hyundai logo on the steering wheel: squares.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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On the doors: squares.

On the doors: squares.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

On the seats: more squares.

On the seats: more squares.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Glance at the main screen, and your battery level is represented in, you guessed it, more squares.

Glance at the main screen, and your battery level is represented in, you guessed it, more squares.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Behind the rear seats, the Ioniq 5 offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Behind the rear seats, the Ioniq 5 offers 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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With the seats folded, volume increases to 59.3 cubic feet.

With the seats folded, volume increases to 59.3 cubic feet.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

One flaw in the Ioniq 5: there isn't a proper frunk.

One flaw in the Ioniq 5: there isn't a proper frunk.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider
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Lots of EVs have an extra cargo compartment where an engine would normally be. But in the Ioniq 5, you get a puny plastic box that could fit a portable charging cord and not much else.

Lots of EVs have an extra cargo compartment where an engine would normally be. But in the Ioniq 5, you get a puny plastic box that could fit a portable charging cord and not much else.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.Tim Levin/Insider

Even so, the Ioniq 5 offers a whole lot to love.

Even so, the Ioniq 5 offers a whole lot to love.
The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider
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