Why the innovative 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is such a great buy

Somehow, Hyundai’s designers imbued the Ioniq 5 with a profile that is squat yet sporty, futuristic yet retro, and it can’t help but garner smiles and nods of appreciation from onlookers. No wonder it has trophies for World Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year on its mantle.

That exterior coolness is just the beginning. Wait until you step inside. Here, Hyundai has performed another feat — creating a cutting-edge, tech-forward cabin that’s inviting, roomy, practical, and easy to use. We never knew the future could be so pragmatic. The Ioniq 5 boasts the kind of twin-screen panel that is becoming prevalent, combining a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment screen. Yet it also features enough physical buttons and switchgear to keep changing the audio controls from feeling like a high-wire act while you’re traveling at highway speeds.

And despite its compact footprint, the 2024 Ioniq 5 boasts generous room for five passengers and ample cargo space — nearly 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

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Approachable pricing, real-world range

Many electric vehicles have price tags that remain out of reach for everyday buyers, especially shoppers considering their first EV. Not the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5. It starts at $41,650. At the top end, even a Limited model is digestible at $53,350. And remember: You won’t ever have to pay for a drop of gasoline to drive an Ioniq 5. Beyond saving real money at the pump, you’ll save the stress and worry of future gas price shocks. And you can’t put a dollar amount on that.

The estimated range for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 spans from 220 miles to 303 miles, depending on the model and drivetrain. Regarding drivetrains, the Ioniq 5 is available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) and 168, 225, or 320 horsepower outputs. Opting for AWD dual-motor models gets you that biggest number, and we found it more than plenty for all manners of driving, from the daily commute to more spirited back-road routes.

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Tech powerhouse

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes loaded with tech, both the things you would expect — such as the latest active safety features — and those you may not, like the ability to charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes on a DC fast charger. For the 2024 model year, all Ioniq 5 models include a Wi-Fi hotspot, additional airbags, and a haptic feedback steering wheel. The top Limited trim gets a snazzy digital rearview mirror.

We also love the Limited model’s reclining driver’s seat and ottoman-like seat extension to raise your legs. It is ready to use when parked while the car is charging or when you’re getting some respite from the kid’s soccer/ballet/piano/whatever practice.

Another great feature in our uncertain world comes in three letters: V2L. That stands for vehicle-to-load, a feature in the Limited model that allows you to use the Ioniq 5 to power other devices, essentially making it the world’s biggest battery bank.

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We haven’t even touched on innovative features like the Ioniq 5’s ability to park itself while you stand outside the vehicle, a digital key that allows you to access the car via your phone, or the Highway Driving Assist function that allows for semi-autonomous driving.

Indeed, it feels like we’ve barely scratched the surface of how much the Ioniq 5 offers and how cool it is. That’s apt, as Hyundai is just starting to scratch the surface on its sprint toward the EV world with forthcoming Ioniq electric variants, including high-performance models like the recently announced Ioniq 5 N. Pardon the cliché, but the future indeed looks electrifying.

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This story originally ran on KBB.com.