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

Tim LevinApr 10, 2022, 17:18 IST

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.

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

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5Tim Levin/Insider

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

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?

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

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 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

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 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD.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 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.

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

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

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

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

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 ...

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

... on the seats ...

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

... and on the door sills.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Hyundai

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 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.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5.Tim Levin/Insider

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

I made Ina Garten's 'California BLT' and the easy sandwich was the perfect lunch

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

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

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?

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

Let's start with the screens. The Ioniq 5 has two 12.3-inch displays on a floating panel.

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 main infotainment display is intuitive and responsive to touch inputs. The home screen shows your range and battery life.

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.

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

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.

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

... on the seats ...

... and on the door sills.

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.

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

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.

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

As you'd expect, there's a bit of storage in the armrest.

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

The trunk is decently sized, but not huge. It's plenty of space for a few people's luggage.

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

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 front seats recline all the way back and offer an optional calf rest for those who really want to stretch out.

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 back seat isn't lacking room either.

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

In all but the cheapest trim, you get colorful, ambient lighting in the doors and around the speakers.

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

Top-trim models get a standard household outlet below the rear seats, so owners can plug in a laptop, blender, or other device.

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.

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.