Here in Singapore, there are four variants of the IONIQ 5 on sale. Two of which come with a 58kWh battery pack and a single motor in the rear generating 145 horsepower and 350Nm of torque – power figures that allow it to slide under the Category A COE threshold, which tends to be cheaper than Category B COEs.
The 58kWh version is available in an “exclusive” trim and our test car’s “Prestige” trim, which comes with a few more bells and whistles (Parametric Pixel headlamps, more lashings of chrome, ventilated seats, a HUD, remote smart parking assist and more safety features).
Another rung up the IONIQ 5 family tree is a 77kWh Prestige, which also comes with a larger battery pack (77kWh) and a rear-mounted motor. However, in this guise it produces 228 horsepower and 350Nm of torque, giving it a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds. It’s also the one with the highest range with a quoted WLTP figure of 507km on a full charge.
The final and most powerful version of the IONIQ 5 is the 77kWh AWD “Inspiration”, which has a dual motor powertrain generating 352hp/605Nm. It’s the quickest (doing 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds) and the most expensive model in the line-up at S$260,800.
Setting off in the IONIQ 5, you’d be struck by how serene and amenable the car is on the road. Of course, the hallmark trait of EV commuting is the silence that an electric powertrain provides. It’s no different in the IONIQ 5’s case, with only the odd tyre or wind noise permeating the cabin. The supple suspension setup allows you to waft over road imperfections without upsetting the tranquil ambience in the cabin.
Granted, it’s not a very quick car by EV standards, but it has a decent amount of shove thanks to the 350Nm of torque available from the get go. The IONIQ 5 in this 58kWh guise does 0-100km/h in a modest 9.5 seconds, but it’s at lower speeds where the immediacy of the EV drivetrain becomes more apparent. As you approach highway cruising speeds, the acceleration forces begin to taper off for a smoother, linear buildup of speed.
However, it’s not as if you’d be darting in and out of traffic in a 1.9-ton SUV that has a longer wheelbase than a Palisade. As we mentioned earlier, the IONIQ 5 is a rather sizeable vehicle that occupies a considerable footprint on the road. The long wheelbase endows it with a slightly wider turning radius that may pose a slight challenge while traversing multi-storey carparks, but the IONIQ 5 Prestige’s surround view cameras make it easier to avoid obstacles in narrower confines.
On paper, the IONIQ 5 58kWh has a quoted efficiency figure of 16.7kWh/100km for a total range of 384km on the WLTP cycle. While it is possible to squeeze more range in ideal scenarios, the reality of driving in Singapore is less than ideal. Factoring in congestion, idling and combating the equatorial heat by turning up the AC, you should expect to get efficiency figures between 17-18kWh/100km, which translates to about 340km of range.
Hyundai quotes a maximum charge rate of 11kW with AC charging, which should take just under 5 hours to fully charge the car from 10%. With DC quick charging however, Hyundai claims that the IONIQ 5 has a maximum charge rate of 350kW, which should theoretically charge the battery pack from 10% to 80% in 17 minutes. It’s a bold claim, and one that we can’t test. But realistically, sustaining that charge rate on a day-to-day basis could be detrimental to the battery pack, so we’d advise against it to err on the side of caution.
As it stands, the S$199,800 you’d have to fork out for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 Prestige 58kWh would be money well spent. In addition to that, the lowered operating and “refuelling” costs of daily driving an EV would pay dividends in the long run.
As an added bonus, the car does come with a 10-year warranty for the batteries in addition to a 10-year free service program, catered to the average life cycle of Singapore-registered vehicles. The IONIQ 5 also comes with BlueLink app that acts as a remote for some vehicle functions (climate preconditioning, lock/unlock and charging door release), and an IONIQ Care+ app that provides insight and advice on sustaining your battery longevity.
While the IONIQ 5 isn’t without its shortfalls, it just might be the most value for money EV you can buy in Singapore today. But considering what a comprehensive and competent package it is for the price, it’s almost a no-brainer.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Prestige 58kWh
Drivetrain | Full electric |
Electric Motor / Layout | Single / rear |
Motor Power / Torque | 145 hp / 350Nm |
Battery Type / Capacity | Lithium-ion, 58kWh |
Standard Charge Time / Type | 5 Hours / 11kW AC |
Fast Charge Time / Type | 17 minutes / 350kW DC |
Electric Range* | 384km |
0-100km/h | 9.5 seconds |
Top Speed | 185km/h |
Efficiency | 16.7kWh/100km |
VES Band | A1 / -S$25,000 |
Agent | Komoco Motors |
Price | S$199,800 with COE and VES |
Availability | Now |
Verdict: | Striking looks, a roomy interior and an excellent ride make the Cat A COE IONIQ 5 one of the best value-for-money vehicles in the EV SUV segment, despite the lack of horsepower. |
Click here to return to Page 1 where we talk about the Hyundai IONIQ 5’s design and interior styling
Buy Used And New Cars Online
Start your car buying journey with CarBuyer as we connect you seamlessly to the industry’s best CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealerships. As a one stop car online portal you can now buy your new ride, be it a pre-owned car or a brand new car from trusted dealers all over Singapore, all in one place. Our ever expanding listing of quality and covet-worthy cars, new and second hand, from both owners and trusted car dealers, will leave you spoilt for choice. Refine your search by vehicle type, registration year, price, mileage, engine type, transmission, annual depreciation value and more to find the car that best suits your needs, taste and lifestyle. You can even search for your car by dealer or directly by owner.
Sell Your Car In An Instant With Confidence
We all know how selling a car in Singapore can be a daunting task especially for a first time car seller; from trying to get a valuation for your car, finding a trusted dealer, to getting the best quote on your vehicle. CarBuyer understands the hassle and even the costs involved and have as such partnered with Huawei to develop a FIRST in Southeast Asia AI car valuation tool that is able to provide a car’s resale value at the snap of a finger. Backed with a consortium of trusted CaseTrust-SVTA accredited car dealers you can be assured that you are getting the best price for your vehicle and do not have to worry about any hidden costs.
The Ultimate Car Shopping Experience Online
CarBuyer platform is the first of its kind to be backed by Huawei’s Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing, enabling it to be able to offer users transparency and enhanced security, all with the one aim of enhancing customer experience. So come on over to buy and sell used cars online at the best prices at CarBuyer Singapore. Connect easily with dealers in real-time via our online video call feature, or schedule a test drive when you’re ready. Have some questions? Get them answered instantly with our chatbot moderated by our responsive team. Stay in the loop with our car-related tips, reviews and news. Learn the ins-and-outs of your car, as well as global and Singapore’s car updates at your own pace.