The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a respectable towing capacity, making it surprisingly practical. Need a Ioniq 5 towbar?

Wow - is the Ioniq 5 really a Hyundai? Can it tow?  Ioniq 5 towing capacity?  Need an Ioniq 5 towbar?

As Hyundai is finally taking electric vehicles seriously, we thought we'd follow up last weeks blog with the Ioniq 5.

The Ioniq 5 is a purpose-built electric car that'll never be available as a petrol or plug-in hybrid model, the Ioniq 5 has an upmarket design inside and out. Its retro-modern styling is angular and has features like 8-bit headlights to catch the eye.

The Ioniq 5 uses Hyundai's new, dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP. New from the ground up, ignoring any mention of petrol underpinnings that seem to still burden its other current electric vehicles.

The 800-volt architecture has been to date, only used on premium vehicles - charging time is the one thing holding electric vehicles back from mass adoption, Hyundai has recognised this, excellent. Hyundai is now able to claim a charging time of only 18 minutes from 10 per cent to 80 per cent.

Although it doesn't look like it, the Ioniq 5 is actually wider and longer than a Hyundai Tucson SUV. Thanks to these dimensions, the distance between the front and rear axles and the flat floor, there's masses of space inside.  This translates to rear passenger space almost limo-like, the boot measures 527 litres and the Ioniq 5 even has a respectable towing capacity, making it surprisingly practical.  Depending on your specs, Hyundai has rated the Ioniq 5 a max tow rating of 1600-1700kgs - amazing news, but keep in mind the 73kWh model is the only real towcar.  If you are a lucky owner of an Ioniq 5 and need a towbar, we have you covered.

​Like most of the current electric cars, the Ioniq 5 is heavy due to the weight of its batteries. Yet, despite weighing just under two tonnes, this mass is low down between the wheels, so the Ioniq 5 handles well, with little body lean in corners.

There's a range of battery and motor options available, starting with an entry-level 58kWh battery and single 168bhp motor powering the rear wheels. Step up to the 73kWh battery and the range improves, with power upped to 214bhp, cutting the 0-100kms time to 7.4 seconds. Alternatively, this battery is also available with dual motors, 301bhp and 0-100kms in 5.2 seconds. 

The Ioniq 5 looks refreshingly different from the outside and its Scandanavian like, clean, uncluttered design language continues when you get in. It's quite unlike anything we’ve seen from Hyundai, instead of looking more like a futuristic concept car. Inside, it’s all posh, high-tech screens and plush, eco-friendly materials- if you thought Hyundai can’t do a premium cabin, then think again. 

The top of the line Ioniq 5 comes with soft, eco-friendly leather upholstery for the seats, steering wheel and doors, finished in an airy cream-like colour that really brighten the cabin. Extensive ambient lighting on the doors and dash adds to the Ioniq 5’s lounge-like appeal, and the graphite-effect trim inlays in the doors look great.

All versions of the Ioniq 5 come with a pair of crisp 12.3-inch digital screens mounted on top of the dashboard.

The first screen sits directly behind the wheel and is used to display info such as driving speed, battery charge, remaining range, the level of regenerative braking and show just how efficiently you’ve been driving.

The other display is a touchscreen, and this forms the basis of the Ioniq 5’s infotainment system. You get satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio, a wireless charge pad, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity all included as standard.

The system itself is pretty straightforward to use, and a selection of physical shortcut buttons along the screen’s lower border help you to quickly jump from one menu to the next while on the move.

Range-topping models get a head-up display that can flash up directional prompts from the satellite navigation, as well as an uprated Bose sound system as standard.

The Ioniq 5 also comes with a Vehicle-to-Load charging function. Basically, this means you can use it as a massive mobile battery pack to charge practically anything you can think of. Under the middle seat, you also get a real/home power outlet, allowing you to plug-in devices such as laptops -its usefulness is only limited by your imagination. 
For example, if you’re on a camping trip then you could plug in an air pump to inflate a mattress, or items such as hairdryers, fans, heaters and even small kitchen appliances such as a kettle, microwave or coffee machine.
It isn’t just domestic appliances and devices that the Ioniq 5 can power. There’s an adapter for the external power socket, allowing you to plug in another electric vehicle – such as a car or e-bike – and use the Ioniq 5’s battery to charge it.
You won’t be able to drain the Ioniq 5 completely by charging another vehicle, since it will shut off charging when its battery gets to a certain level, to ensure you’re not left stranded.
It’s easy to set up and use and provides new and innovative ways for us to utilise our vehicles.

The Ioniq 5 scored the full five stars when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in late 2021. That included an 88% score in the adult occupant category and 86% for child occupants. The safety assist systems also received an impressive 88% rating.

The Ioniq 5 comes loaded with safety equipment, both to help prevent a collision before it happens and to protect its occupants if there is an accident. Autonomous emergency braking is fitted as standard, which can detect cars, pedestrians and cyclists. In SE Connect models, this can also brake the car while turning out of a junction and in Premium and Ultimate trims this is also extended to crossing junctions. 

The more expensive trims also get Ioniq's 'Level 2'  Highway Drive-Assist, allowing the car to not only follow a lane on a motorway but also change lanes autonomously. Ultimate versions with Tech Pack make life safer and less stressful, thanks to parking collision avoidance, a 360-degree camera view and even remote self-parking. 

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the best electric cars currently available. It offers up a wide feature set, solid range, plenty of space, eye-catching design and a comfortable ride. Best of it it can tow.  Need an Ioniq 5 towbar?  We have you covered.  Order today.