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The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5: Redefining the SUV in a Bold New Era
What truly defines an SUV? It’s a question that has sparked countless debates among automotive enthusiasts, industry insiders, and everyday drivers alike. For some, the answer harks back to the rugged, body-on-frame construction of the original Jeeps—vehicles built for untamed terrain. For others, it’s simply about the utility: a two-box shape with ample ground clearance, ready for a weekend escape. Yet another perspective sees any hatchback larger than a standard car as an SUV. While we can generally agree on the duties of an SUV—comfort, capability, and space—the form remains a subject of passionate discussion. As Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously mused when grappling with the definition of pornography, “I know it when I see it.”
In the automotive world, the same holds true. A truly great SUV inspires confidence. It must be capable of commuting with ease, embarking on cross-country adventures, and confidently navigating both snowy roads and light off-road trails. It demands spaciousness, ensuring every row offers room for passengers and their cargo. Safety and efficiency are non-negotiable, and let’s be honest, stylish looks certainly don’t hurt the appeal.
While the philosophical debate over the precise definition of an SUV continues, the most objective measure we have found is our annual Of The Year testing and criteria. Regardless of how an individual chooses to classify the segment, the 2023 MotorTrend SUV of the Year handily meets—and exceeds—the diverse needs of the compact SUV category it competes in. It is visually striking, delightful to drive, remarkably roomy, comfortable, efficient, and offers exceptional value. You likely already know what it is: the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5, our MotorTrend SUV of the Year.
A Paradigm Shift in SUV Design
The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 represents a seismic shift in what an SUV can be. As the first fully electric vehicle to claim our prestigious SUV of the Year award, the Ioniq 5 challenges conventional notions while remaining refreshingly approachable for those transitioning from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Its design and controls are intuitive, yet its packaging and performance are made possible only through the efficiency of its compact, energy-dense electric motors.
What truly sets the Ioniq 5 apart is its cutting-edge 800-volt electric architecture. This technology places it among the fastest-charging electric vehicles on the market, with charge times that rival the length of a typical road trip rest stop. Furthermore, with a starting price just north of $40,000, it is the most affordable vehicle on the market offering such advanced capabilities. Simply put, no SUV in our incredibly diverse field of 33 contenders more faithfully embodies our six key SUV of the Year criteria than the new Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Advancement in Design
Admittedly, the Ioniq 5’s styling is where its SUV credentials might first be questioned. With a steeply raked tailgate, a lack of a traditional D-pillar, and a mere 6.1 inches of ground clearance—only slightly more than a Subaru Legacy sedan—its appearance leans more toward a midsize hatchback than a compact SUV. However, its exterior design is undeniably one of the most exciting mainstream vehicle debuts in the last decade.
Drawing inspiration from the Giugiaro-designed Hyundai Pony concept of the 1970s, the Ioniq 5 masterfully blends 8-bit retrofuturism with sharp, geometric edges and distinctive pixelated lighting graphics. This aesthetic strikes a resonant chord with Generation X and Millennial nostalgia. As Digital Director Erik Johnson aptly put it, “I absolutely love the interior and exterior styling. It’s like a Trapper Keeper with Max Headroom on its cover I might have carried to elementary school, but on wheels.” Associate Editor Duncan Brady enthusiastically added, “I want to call special attention to the hash marks along the wheel arches, and of course those super-rad wheels.”
The interior design is equally compelling, though some judges wished Hyundai had infused the cabin with the same playful spirit evident in the exterior. The electric cockpit is characterized by its clean, simple, and intuitive layout. Twin 12.3-inch displays dominate the dashboard, complemented by a minimalist, brandless two-spoke steering wheel and a judicious mix of physical buttons, knobs, and switches.
Head of Editorial Ed Loh praised the thoughtful execution: “Hyundai really sweated the details and smoothed out the user experience. This is a great transitional EV, new yet familiar. There’s a push-button start as most people understand and lots of physical knobs for putting it into gear and adjusting things with positive response by feel. There’s no capacitive guessing or checking some screen with your eyes to confirm your input. It’s simple and elegant, which is deceptively difficult to achieve.”
Engineering Excellence
Beneath the stylish exterior lies Hyundai Motor Group’s groundbreaking Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). This remarkably versatile architecture, also utilized in the Kia EV6 (itself an SUVOTY finalist) and the Genesis GV60, as well as future Ioniq family vehicles, allows Hyundai Motor Group’s three brands to engineer distinct electric SUVs with varying wheelbases and hardpoints while sharing the same core battery and motor technologies. This approach ensures that consumers benefit from greater choice and access to advanced technologies at more competitive price points.
Hyundai offers two distinct battery and motor configurations for the Ioniq 5, providing customers with flexibility based on their needs and budget. The entry-level Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range models are equipped with a 58.0-kWh battery pack paired with a single rear-mounted electric motor. This configuration delivers 168 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, achieving an EPA-estimated range of 220 miles.
Ascending the trim ladder unlocks the significantly larger 77.4-kWh battery pack. Rear-wheel-drive variants with the larger battery feature an upgraded motor producing 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking enhanced performance, the optional dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants offer a robust 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 models can travel 256 miles between charges (an improvement to 266 miles for the 2023 model year), while the single-motor configuration achieves an impressive 303 miles on a full charge.
Beyond its impressive range, the Ioniq 5’s charging capabilities are truly exceptional. Leveraging its 800-volt architecture, this Hyundai is one of the few production vehicles capable of utilizing 350-kW Level 3 DC fast chargers. With a peak charge rate of 239 kW on large-battery models (base models are limited to 195 kW), the Ioniq 5 can replenish its battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes—remarkably close to the time it takes for a standard fuel stop, restroom break, and snack run during a long road trip in a conventional vehicle.
Hyundai’s commitment to innovation extends to its charging infrastructure. The company is actively developing software updates aimed at further reducing these charge times, with the ultimate goal of making DC fast charging truly competitive with traditional gasoline refueling. Additionally, the Ioniq 5 is one of the few production EVs offering vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability. This feature allows an adapter to transform the charge port into a standard 120-volt outlet, enabling the vehicle to power external devices and electronics.
Performance of Intended Function
Despite its unconventional, hatchback-like proportions, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 excels in performing the tasks we expect of an SUV. Its interior space is particularly noteworthy. With a wheelbase longer than Hyundai’s full-size Palisade SUV, wheels pushed to the absolute corners, and a perfectly flat floor, the Ioniq 5’s cabin feels remarkably open, airy, and inviting. Adults and children alike will find every row spacious and comfortable, offering an upright and commanding view of the surroundings.
Storage solutions abound throughout the cabin. The clever center console can slide forward and backward by 5.5 inches, providing flexible space for belongings. Additional cubbies are strategically placed throughout the interior. Buyer’s Guide Director Zach Gale observed, “Enormous open space in the center console means you can easily fit a large bag there. Or at least two tubs of ice cream.” While the Ioniq 5 lacks a traditional front trunk (frunk), it compensates with a spacious, tiered cargo area—perfect for additional storage needs.
The driving experience is equally commendable. Our 2022 test vehicle (virtually identical in specification to the 2023 model) proved to be both comfortable and relaxing during routine commuting, yet transformed into an engaging and genuinely fun vehicle when the road opened up. The electric motors deliver smooth and potent power, offering performance that rivals V8 engines in a segment often dominated by noisy, underpowered four-cylinder units.
Braking performance is precise and confidence-inspiring. Hyundai provides five distinct settings for regenerative braking, catering to driver preference. These range from a fully off mode to one-pedal driving and an adaptive auto mode that seamlessly blends regenerative and friction braking.
The Ioniq 5 handles and rides with a refinement that belies its segment. The steering is quick, precise, and light, while the torque-vectoring motors enable the driver to
