[Taboleo] The Era of Car Camping with Electric Cars Has Arrived: 'Ioniq 5'

Test Drive of Hyundai's Ambitious Ioniq 5
Unique Pixel-Inspired Design Catches Attention
Maximized Interior Space with Dedicated EV Platform

Hyundai Ioniq 5

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] The Ioniq 5 from Hyundai Motor Company, which has garnered the most attention in the domestic automobile market this year, has finally been released.

The Ioniq 5 is the first vehicle to apply Hyundai Motor Group's dedicated electric vehicle platform, E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform).

Electric vehicles built on the E-GMP platform can optimize the body structure, chassis, motor, battery, and more, resulting in superior performance compared to electric vehicles using conventional internal combustion engine platforms.

The Ioniq 5 symbolizes Hyundai Motor's future as an eco-friendly car manufacturer.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

-What was your first impression?

△The moment I first saw the Ioniq 5, I thought, "Ah, is this the car of the future?" It had a unique exterior that is hard to find in sedans or SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles). Hyundai says the design connects the future and the past.

The most distinctive feature of the Ioniq 5's design is the 'Parametric Pixel,' which visualizes pixels, the smallest units that make up an image. Parametric Pixels are applied to the headlights, taillights, wheels, and even the electric charging port. Seeing it in person felt like the image of a future car had been realized in reality.

The side reminded me of the Pony. The Pony, first unveiled in 1974, is Hyundai's masterpiece that marked the beginning of the Korean automobile industry. Hyundai said they incorporated the Pony's design to give a feeling of being somewhere between the past and the future and to signify that the Ioniq 5 is leading a new era of electric vehicles.

The side mirrors have completely disappeared and have been replaced by advanced cameras. A display attached to the left side of the steering wheel takes over the role of the side mirrors. At first, it was not easy to get used to, but after seeing it repeatedly, I somewhat adapted. However, it seems difficult to fully adjust within just a day or two.

The auto flush outside door handles, which automatically extend and retract, are also a feature. With the side mirrors and door handles gone, air resistance is reduced, improving fuel efficiency and speed.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Interior

-How does it compare to internal combustion engine vehicles?

△I was taken aback when I first pressed the start button. It was so quiet that I almost pressed the button again because I couldn't tell if the engine was on. Only the display on the instrument panel signaled that the car was ready to drive.

It felt more like turning on an electronic device than starting a car. The same was true when pressing the accelerator to drive. Noise during driving was minimal. Only the sound of the wind outside the vehicle broke the silence.

The acceleration from the start was excellent. The characteristic of electric vehicles to deliver maximum torque immediately upon departure was deeply felt. It was like riding a roller coaster, with my body leaning backward. Without gears, the speed increase from low to high was smooth and consistent. It truly accelerated briskly as I pressed the pedal. I naturally thought, "Ah, the era of internal combustion engines is over."

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Driver's Seat

-Were there any impressive advanced systems?

△Various advanced driver assistance systems worked well. I used advanced systems such as Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) and Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, which reduced driving fatigue.

When traffic congestion reduced the distance to the car ahead, the system smoothly decreased speed. There is a reason why people praise Hyundai's driving assistance systems for their continuous improvement.

The Head-Up Display (HUD) was also convenient to use. In addition to navigation-linked route guidance, an augmented reality (AR) system displayed directional indicators to assist driving.

Display replacing the side mirrors of Hyundai Ioniq 5

-How was the sense of interior space?

△The interior was more spacious than expected. Especially, the openness between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat was outstanding. This is because the E-GMP, a dedicated electric vehicle platform, was applied for the first time to maximize interior space. New electric vehicles with dedicated platforms can increase the freedom of interior design through differentiated layouts compared to conventional vehicles.

Since fewer vehicle parts are needed compared to internal combustion engines, the wheelbase (distance between front and rear tires) is longer, and usable space has increased. Thanks to this, the center console installed between the driver and passenger seats became spacious enough to fit a laptop.

The cargo space was also excellent. The second-row seats could be moved to maximize trunk size, and folding the seats made it convenient for camping or carrying additional luggage. The front trunk, created in the space where the engine used to be, is also a hidden storage area.

Spacious Cargo Space of Hyundai Ioniq 5

Arriving at the campsite and seeing the Ioniq 5 set up with a car camping concept made me want to go camping myself. The Ioniq 5 can supply power outside the vehicle using the V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function, allowing connection of a multi-adapter to use a laptop and a lamp. The use of eco-friendly materials in the interior is also a plus.

Bio-oil-based paint extracted from plants such as rapeseed and corn was applied to the door trims, door switches, and crash pads, and the seats were made from fabric containing yarns derived from bio components extracted from sugarcane and corn.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Charging

-Was charging inconvenient?

△During the test drive, I visited the Gangdong EV Station and charged the vehicle myself. Using rapid charging, it was possible to charge over 70% in about 10 minutes for a charging fee of 3,000 won. It did not take as long as I expected.

The vehicle driven that day from Starfield Hanam in Gyeonggi to a campsite in Namyangju was the Ioniq 5 Long Range 2WD (front-wheel drive) Prestige trim. The price is about 59 million won, but with subsidies, it can be purchased for around 40 million won.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.