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The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 named 2023 MotorTrend SUV of the Year.
What exactly constitutes an SUV these days? It’s a question that sparks debate, yielding a spectrum of responses. Some envision rugged, body-on-frame machines echoing the original Jeeps that defined the segment. To others, the essence of an SUV lies in its two-box silhouette, elevated ground clearance, and the promise of weekend adventures. Then there are those who simply categorize any hatchback larger than a standard car as an SUV. While we generally understand the capabilities expected of an SUV, its physical form remains a subject of contention. As Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously noted when grappling with the definition of pornography, “I know it when I see it.”
Similarly, we recognize a truly exceptional SUV when we drive one. A great SUV instills confidence, capably handling daily commutes, long-distance road trips, and even light off-road excursions. It must offer ample space for both passengers and their belongings. Safety and relative efficiency are also paramount. Furthermore, stylish aesthetics never hurt the equation.
The definition of an SUV has been a source of endless discussion, yet our Of The Year testing and criteria provide the most objective means of distinguishing mere cars from genuine SUVs. Irrespective of individual interpretations, our 2023 SUV of the Year nominee effortlessly meets and exceeds the diverse demands of the compact SUV segment it inhabits. It boasts striking looks, engaging performance, generous space, commendable comfort, impressive efficiency, and remarkable value. As you may have guessed, it is none other than our 2023 SUV of the Year, the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5, the first fully electric vehicle to earn our SUV of the Year designation, represents a paradigm shift in what an SUV can be. The Ioniq 5 offers an approachable, modern design with a form factor and controls that will feel familiar to anyone transitioning from a traditional gasoline-powered SUV or crossover to their first electric vehicle. Yet, its packaging and performance are made possible by its compact, energy-dense electric motors. Crucially, the Ioniq 5 features cutting-edge 800-volt electric architecture, positioning it among the fastest-charging EVs on the market, with charging times comparable to typical road trip stops. Priced just over $40,000 to start, it is also the most affordable vehicle with this technology currently available. Simply put, no SUV in our remarkably diverse field of 33 vehicles more fully 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 one might most question its classification as an SUV. With its steeply raked tailgate, absence of a D-pillar, and a mere 6.1 inches of ground clearance—barely more than a Subaru Legacy sedan—the Hyundai’s appearance leans more toward a “midsize hatchback” than a “compact SUV.” Nevertheless, the Ioniq 5 is one of the most visually striking mainstream vehicles to debut in the last decade. Drawing inspiration from the Giugiaro-designed Hyundai Pony concept of yesteryear, the Ioniq 5 masterfully blends 8-bit retrofuturism with sharp edges and distinctive lighting graphics, evoking a sense of nostalgia for Gen X and Gen Y audiences.
“I absolutely love the interior and exterior styling,” remarked digital director Erik Johnson. “It’s like a Trapper Keeper with Max Headroom on its cover that I might have carried to elementary school, but on wheels.” Associate editor Duncan Brady concurred, adding, “I want to specifically call out the hash marks along the wheel arches, and of course those super-rad wheels.”
The interior design is equally successful, even if some judges wished Hyundai designers had imbued the cabin with the same level of playfulness as the exterior. The EV’s cockpit is clean, simple, and intuitive, featuring twin 12.3-inch displays, a brandless two-spoke steering wheel, and a judicious mix of physical buttons, knobs, and switches. “Hyundai really sweated the details and smoothed out the user experience,” noted head of editorial Ed Loh. “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 its stylish exterior lies Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture. This platform, also utilized in the Kia EV6 (an SUVOTY finalist) and Genesis GV60 (along with future Ioniq family vehicles), allows for exceptional versatility. It enabled Hyundai Motor Group’s three brands to engineer three distinct electric SUVs with different wheelbases and hardpoints while sharing the same batteries and motors. This translates to greater consumer choice and access to advanced technologies at more affordable price points.
Speaking of choice, Hyundai offers two battery and motor configurations for the Ioniq 5. Base Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range models are equipped with a 58.0-kWh battery pack paired with a single rear-mounted electric motor, producing 168 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 220 miles. Opting for the next trim level unlocks the larger 77.4-kWh battery pack. Rear-wheel-drive, big-battery Ioniq 5s feature an upgraded motor delivering 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while optional dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants produce a robust 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 models can travel 256 miles between charges (266 for 2023 models), while the single-motor variant achieves an impressive 303 miles per charge.
Perhaps even more remarkable is the Ioniq 5’s charging speed. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, this Ioniq is one of the few 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 charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes—roughly the time it takes for a typical fuel and bathroom/stretch/snack break on a road trip in a conventional vehicle. Furthermore, Hyundai is actively working on improving charge speeds through over-the-air updates, with the ultimate goal of making DC fast charging comparable to a traditional fuel stop. The Ioniq 5 also stands out as one of the few production EVs with vehicle-to-load capability, allowing the charge port to function as a 120-volt outlet for powering external devices.
Performance of Intended Function
Despite its unconventional, hatchback-like styling, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 excels in performing the tasks we expect of an SUV. For starters, it is remarkably spacious. With a wheelbase longer than Hyundai’s full-size Palisade SUV, wheels pushed to the outer corners, and a completely flat floor, the Ioniq 5’s cabin feels open, airy, and inviting. Both adults and children will find each row comfortable and spacious, offering an upright and commanding view of the surroundings. Storage is abundant, whether in the clever center console (which slides 5.5 inches fore and aft) or in the various cubbies throughout the interior. “Enormous open space in the center console means you can easily fit a large bag there,” noted buyer’s guide director Zach Gale. “Or at least two tubs of ice cream.” And while the Ioniq lacks a traditional frunk, it compensates with a spacious, tiered cargo area. For, you know, more ice cream.
It also drives exceptionally well. Our 2022 test vehicle (functionally identical to the 2023 model) is comfortable and relaxing when desired, yet becomes engaging and genuinely fun when the driver seeks a more spirited experience. Its motors are smooth and potent, delivering V-8-like performance in a class typically dominated by noisy, underpowered four-cylinder engines. The brakes feel natural, with Hyundai offering five settings for regenerative braking, including fully off, one-pedal, and auto modes.
The Ioniq 5 also handles and rides beautifully. Its steering is quick, precise, and light, while the torque-vectoring motors enable the driver to confidently navigate curves—a significant advantage in low-traction situations. Ride quality is particularly noteworthy. “The spring and damper tuning is outstanding in the way it controls the battery pack’s weight and soaks up and absorbs bumps with nary a shudder or shimmy,” Johnson observed. “This is luxury-level chassis tuning in a mainstream EV. I love that it allows some body roll, too, yet still has outstanding body control—it provides some of the vehicle feedback you miss in ‘sportier’ cars.”
The Ioniq performed admirably in our brief off-road excursions as well. Although its limited ground clearance and street-oriented tires made us hesitant to venture beyond dirt or gravel roads, the Hyundai felt sure-footed and inspired confidence during our sand tests, our closest approximation of snow in Southern California. “Some might argue it’s no SUV, but a little imagination and an off-road course will truly change their
