Hyundai IONIQ 5 2026 Review

This review focuses on the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5. When the IONIQ 5 first hit the scene, the hype was absolutely huge, winning Best Design at TopGear Electric Awards. But a few years on, a lot of buyers doing their research are looking past the styling and asking a very valid question, is it actually that special? or is it just another EV with the same screens and tech as everyone else?

Physically, the IONIQ 5 plays a brilliant optical illusion. In photos, it looks like a compact 1980s hatchback, but in person, it is a massive, 4.6-metre-long family crossover with a wheelbase longer than a Toyota LandCruiser. Arriving with an indicative drive-away price of around $76,200 for this base trim, it isn’t cheap. However, with the upgraded 84 kWh battery now standard across the range, this is arguably the most complete, head-turning, and ultra-fast-charging family EV on the market.

The Good	The Not-So-Good
Standard 84kWh Battery (More Range)	Larger and Wider Than It Looks
Ultra-Fast 800V Charging (18 Mins)	Minimal Front Trunk (Frunk) Space
Physical Buttons & Rear Wiper Added	Intrusive Driving Assists

What does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 2026 look like?

The IONIQ 5 remains one of the most striking cars on the road that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. At 4655mm long and 1890mm wide, it has a planted, wide stance with incredibly sharp geometric creases running down the sides.

The highlight of the exterior is the retro-inspired “Parametric Pixel” LED lighting at the front and rear, giving it an unmistakable 8-bit digital signature. Crucially for the 2026 model, Hyundai has subtly redesigned the front and rear bumpers for better aerodynamics and finally, mercifully, added a rear windscreen wiper.

What is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 2026 like inside?

The interior is designed around a “Living Space” theme, taking full advantage of the dedicated electric platform’s completely flat floor. The cabin feels immensely airy and open. Eco-friendly materials are used throughout, including recycled PET bottles and plant-based yarns, yet it all feels premium and robust.

The Elite trim features excellent, highly adjustable seats. A brilliant 2026 update is the revised, sportier 3-spoke steering wheel and a reworked centre console that finally brings physical shortcut buttons for your seat heating, ventilation, and parking cameras.

Storage

Because there is no transmission tunnel, the IONIQ 5 features the “Universal Island”—a massive centre console that can slide back and forth, allowing the driver to easily slide across to the passenger side to exit if parked tightly.

Instead of a traditional drop-down glovebox, it features a unique sliding drawer that holds significantly more. Under the clamshell bonnet, the RWD model offers a 57-litre “frunk,” which is just big enough to neatly store your charging cables away from your groceries.

Rear seat and boot space

The IONIQ 5 boasts a gargantuan 3000mm wheelbase, which translates to true limousine-like legroom for rear passengers. The rear seats are electrically adjustable and can slide forward or backward to prioritize either passenger legroom or boot space.

The boot is an expansive and flat 520 litres. While the raked rear window cuts slightly into tall item storage, it is extremely wide. Fold the rear seats down, and you get a cavernous 1580 litres of cargo space.

Technology and connectivity

Stepping inside the 2026 IONIQ 5 introduces you to the latest ‘ccNC’ software architecture. Visually, the dashboard is clean and airy, dominated by dual 12.3-inch displays seamlessly integrated into a single white-bezel panel. Functionally, the new system is blazingly fast and, thankfully, brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the board.

Complementing this digital array is the newly revised steering wheel and the addition of the much-requested physical buttons on the centre console. Consequently, you can keep your eyes on the road; instead of tapping through three touchscreen menus just to turn on your heated seats on a winter morning.

Beyond the screens, the tech is genuinely life-enhancing as it retains its famous V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) capability, turning the car into a massive rolling power bank.

Engine and drivetrain

For 2026, Hyundai streamlined the range and gave every model the big battery. This Elite RWD is powered by an 84 kWh battery feeding a single electric motor on the rear axle. It produces a very healthy 168 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque.

The undisputed trump card of the IONIQ 5 is its 800-volt architecture (a feature usually reserved for Porsche and Audi). This allows it to plug into a 350kW ultra-rapid charger and pull over 230 kW of power, meaning a 10% to 80% charge takes a mind-blowing 18 minutes. The official WLTP range is an excellent 570 kilometres (on 19-inch wheels).

What’s the Hyundai IONIQ 5 2026 like to drive?

The IONIQ 5 is the ultimate cruising machine. Because the heavy battery is mounted low in the floor and the wheelbase is so long, it irons out Australian country roads with a luxurious, planted composure.

With a 0-100 km/h time of roughly 7.5 seconds, the RWD Elite isn’t a sports car, but the instant torque makes it feel effortless and sprightly around town. The steering is light and predictable, and the cabin insulation is superb, making it a phenomenally quiet place to spend a long road trip.

Safety features

The IONIQ 5 carries a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. The 2026 model is packed with Hyundai’s ‘SmartSense’ active safety tech:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (with Junction Turning/Crossing)
• Blind-Spot View Monitor (projects a live camera feed into the instrument cluster)
• Highway Driving Assist 2 (adaptive cruise with auto lane-changing)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Safe Exit Assist (locks the rear doors if a car or cyclist is approaching)

 

Final thoughts

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Elite RWD takes a car that was already a pioneer and polishes it to perfection. By adding the larger 84kWh battery as standard, introducing crucial physical buttons, and adding a rear wiper, Hyundai has eliminated the few excuses you might have had to not buy one.

At around $84,000 drive-away, it commands a premium price, but it backs it up with premium 800V technology, jaw-dropping design, and a lounge-like interior that genuinely makes your daily commute better. If you have the budget, this remains one of the finest electric vehicles on sale today.

Specification	Details
Model	Hyundai IONIQ 5 Elite (RWD)
Model Price	~$81,200 + on-road costs
Engine	Single Electric Motor (Rear)
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD)
Battery Capacity / type	84 kWh / Lithium-ion
Voltage / Capacity	800V Architecture / 84 kWh
Power	168 kW
Torque	350 Nm
Range (WLTP)	Up to 570 km (depending on wheels)
Economy / efficiency	~16.0 kWh/100km (Estimated)
Fast Charge / Home	Max 240+ kW DC (10-80% in ~18 mins) / 10.5 kW AC
Safety	5-Star ANCAP
CO2 Emissions	0 g/km
0-100kmh / Top Speed	~7.5 seconds / 185 km/h
Servicing	24 months / 30,000 km
Warranty	5 Years / Unlimited km
Roadside Assist	Available (check dealer for terms)

 

Specification	Details
Overall Length	4655 mm
Wheelbase	3000 mm
Width	1890 mm (excluding mirrors)
Height	1605 mm
Wheels	19-inch or 20-inch Alloy
Tyres	Variable based on wheel choice
Max ground clearance	160 mm
Wading Depth	Not Published
Approach	Not Published
Rampover	Not Published
Departure angle	Not Published
Turning Circle	11.98 m
Boot Min	520 L
Boot Max	1580 L
Kerb Weight	~1950 kg
Battery weight	Not Published
Payload (kg)	~480 kg
GVM (kg)	2430 kg
GCM	Not Published
Towing Capacity	1600 kg (Braked)
Tow Ball rating	100 kg