2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWD review

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car may have only been around for 18 months, but that hasn’t stopped the Korean carmaker from updating the range for the 2023 model year.

Longer driving range and more power are the order of the day, plus the addition of a new variant to sit atop the range.

The Ioniq 5 range now comprises three variants, the entry-level Dynamiq, mid-tier Techniq and the new for 2023 range-topping Epiq. There’s an ‘IQ’ theme going on there, linking all models in line with Hyundai’s Ioniq electric vehicle branding.

On test here, we have the top-of-the-range 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq that delivers a claimed 454km driving range between charges, up 5.5 per cent according to Hyundai thanks to a boost in battery size, now 77.4kWh against the 72.6kWh unit found in the previous model.

That might not seem like a huge increase, but in the entry-level Dynamiq variant, that bigger battery has helped the price-leader surpass a psychological barrier when it comes to electric cars, its driving range now quoted at 507km, up from 481km.

If you’re wondering why the Dynamiq has better range than the models ostensibly positioned above it in the Ioniq 5 food chain, the answer is simple. It’s powered by a single motor at the rear wheels, while the Techniq and Epiq variants feature dual motors and all-wheel drive. The combination of an extra motor to run and more weight to package it equals a greater drain on energy.

The changes for model year 2023 run to more than just a bigger battery and more power, however. There’s a new suspension tune, which Hyundai calls a “new ride and handling package” – said to improve wheel control, bump absorption and body control. 

And for those where ongoing ownership costs are paramount, Hyundai has doubled the Ioniq 5’s service intervals to two years or 30,000km, whichever comes first. It was previously 12 months/15,000km.

How much does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 cost in Australia?

On test here we have the newly minted flagship, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq. It’s priced at $85,000 plus on-road costs and brings a number of features to the party, previously not available on Aussie-delivered models and unique to this range-topping variant.

The headline items are what Hyundai dubs its ‘Vision Roof’ fixed sunroof, only available on the flagship Epiq variant and as standard fit.

There’s also a heat pump that uses excess battery heat to warm the cabin, and a battery conditioning system that is activated in colder conditions to improve the Ioniq 5’s DC charging and performance.

Inside, digital camera-based side mirrors have replaced physical mirrors. They project a rearward view from the car into tablet-style screens mounted on each door. It’s a similar set-up available as an option in some Audi E-Tron models.

Audi’s system relies on screens mounted lower in the door cards and aren’t the most intuitive to use. Hyundai’s take on the technology is superior, and thanks to the positioning of its screens right in the line of sight where you would ordinarily be checking your mirrors, it offers a far more natural user experience. It’s still not perfect, though (more on this later).

The rest of the Epiq’s equipment list is comprehensive, incorporating all that is good from variants lower on the Ioniq 5 ladder. You can check out our full list of standard equipment here.

Highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as satellite navigation and digital radio, heated and ventilated front seats with memory function, power adjustable (fore and aft) heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, eco-processed leather-appointed seat upholstery, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, an eight-speaker premium Bose sound system, and a comprehensive suite of Hyundai’s advanced safety systems that we’ll detail later.

In terms of rivals, comparing like for like, the Tesla Model Y Long Range starts at $78,400. The Ioniq 5 Epiq’s most natural predator is the Kia EV6, built on the same platform by Hyundai’s sister brand Kia. In GT-Line AWD trim, the closest match for the Epiq variant we have here, it asks for $87,590. All prices are before on-road costs are added in. 

Key details2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWDPrice$85,000 plus on-road costsColour of test carAbyss BlackOptionsNonePrice as tested$85,000 plus on-road costsDrive-away price$91,398 (in NSW)RivalsKia EV6 | Tesla Model Y | Hyundai Ioniq 6

How much space does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 have inside?

There’s not a lot to distinguish the cabin of the Ioniq 5 Epiq from variants further down the range. The biggest glaring difference are those two tablet-sized screens that double as rear-view side mirrors. Other than that, it’s standard fare inside. This is no bad thing, the Ioniq 5, even in its entry-level Dynamiq guise, a pleasant and modern place to spend time in.

Hyundai has gone all in with its environmental credentials. That’s why the seats are appointed in what the brand calls ‘eco-processed leather’ while the floor mats are made out of recycled ‘Bio-PET’ materials. That’s recycled plastic drink bottles and food containers, to you and me.

Soft materials abound, while the overall minimalism of the cabin continues to impress some 18 months after the Ioniq 5 launched locally. There’s a serenity that comes with sitting in the driver’s seat. Perhaps it’s the insulated feeling of the acoustic-laminated windscreen and side glass, designed to filter out not only outside noise, but also heat thanks to what Hyundai is calling ‘solar control’.

The minimalist feel continues through to the flat-bottomed steering wheel which, uncharacteristically in this day and age, isn’t swimming with buttons and switches. There are some controls, but Hyundai’s interior designers and engineers have kept themselves in check. Don’t look for a Hyundai logo on the steering wheel either. It’s not there. In its place, four simple dots which, for those in the know, is the Morse code for the letter ‘H’. Good one, Hyundai.

Selecting gears comes via a stalk mounted down low on the steering column. It’s out of the line of sight for most people in their regular seating position. It’s operated via a twisting motion, back for reverse and forward for drive, while park is accessed by pushing a button on the end of the stalk. It’s not the most intuitive set-up to use, but you become accustomed to it pretty quickly.

The seats themselves are comfortable, supportive and electrically adjustable. Finding the right driving position isn’t a challenge. 

Storage options abound, including a TARDIS-like and ingeniously designed glovebox that opens up to reveal 9.4L of storage capacity, more than enough for smaller handbags and laptops or tablets or other bulkier valuables.

There’s a small central storage bin that is designed to float above the Ioniq’s flat floor, leaving space underneath for handbags, backpacks and the like. A pair of cupholders are standard fare these days, while the door pockets can accommodate bottles.

The second row hasn’t been designed as an afterthought. In this flagship model, they slide fore and aft to free up space while the outboard seats themselves are heated. There’s no central tunnel taking up space in the floor, and that means an overall more comfortable experience in row two. And the central storage bin up front can be slid forwards to create even more space for back-seat passengers, a nice touch.

Space is excellent, as is visibility, while amenities include air vents mounted, unusually, in the door pillars. They’re not the most effective application of rear air vents.

ISOFIX child seat mounts are fitted to the outboard seats, while all three seatbacks are equipped with top-tether anchors. 

The seats themselves fold away in 60:40 split fashion to liberate 1587L of storage capacity. With the second row in play, there’s still a decent 527L to play with. The boot floor lifts up to reveal another shallow storage area ideal for charging cables or smaller stashes of valuables.

There’s no spare tyre and wheel package in the Ioniq 5 – or pretty much any electric car – the weight and bulk of carrying a spare counter to maximising driving range and battery capacity.

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWDSeatsFiveBoot volume527L seats up
1587L seats foldedLength4635mmWidth1890mmHeight1605mmWheelbase3000mm

Does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

The widescreen set-up inside the Ioniq 5 is a peach. It houses two separate 12.3-inch screens, one for the Ioniq 5’s infotainment system, the other a highly configurable digital driver display.

The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is augmented by physical switches and buttons underneath the screen, while climate controls are located in a separate slimline digital touch-panel underneath.

But, functions like seat heating and cooling, as well as the memory seat function, can only be accessed through the touchscreen, a case of what the ergonomic gods giveth, they also taketh away again. Not a deal-breaker by any stretch, after all, you’re not going to get a lovely minimalist interior by festooning the cabin with a hundred buttons, toggles and switches.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring are standard, although there’s no wireless connectivity here. You’ll need a USB cable to connect. Further, there are only the older USB-A connectors, so dust off your old smartphone cables if you want to mirror and charge your smartphone. The USB count runs to four.

There is a wireless charging pad, but in our experience, across every make and model, charging pads tend to heat up your phone to near untouchable – and sometimes inoperable – levels. I’ve experienced many instances where my smartphone has shut down completely because it became too hot while charging wirelessly in a car.

Apple CarPlay works seamlessly and remains the go-to in terms of in-car infotainment for me. But, for those who prefer to use the Ioniq 5’s proprietary systems, there’s satellite navigation and digital radio programmed in. 

Augmenting the infotainment screen, the 12.3-inch digital driver display, which can show a wealth of driving and battery data, is a peach, highlighted by Hyundai’s blind-spot cameras that project an image from the left- or right-side of the car directly into the screen so you can see what’s behind you. Hyundai isn’t the only car company to offer this technology, but thanks to the clarity of the cameras and the sharp resolution of the screen, it is, in our opinion, the best.

The Bose audio system is a welcome inclusion, offering crisp stereo sound that fills the car or, if you prefer, can isolate sound to just the front speakers via Hyundai’s ‘Quiet’ mode, accessed via, yep you guessed it, the touchscreen. Still, it’s a thoughtful inclusion, particularly for those with sleeping kids or grumpy teenagers trying to watch the latest TikTok videos from the second row.

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 a safe car?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating when the model launched locally back in 2021.

It scored well in most of ANCAP’s metrics, awarded 88 per cent for adult occupant protection, 87 per cent for child occupant protection, and 89 per cent for safety assist systems. Only vulnerable road user protection dipped below the 80 per cent mark, ANCAP scoring it 63 per cent.

If you want to read ANCAP’s detailed report, then follow this link.

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWDANCAP ratingFive stars (tested 2021)Safety reportLink to ANCAP report

What safety technology does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 have?

The entire Hyundai Ioniq 5 range is fitted with the brand’s full suite of advanced safety systems.

The comprehensive suite includes forward autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Additional features include a driver attention monitor, leading vehicle departure alert, evasive steering assist, lane-following assist, lane centring, surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, rear occupant alert, safe exit assist, and tyre pressure monitoring.

The airbag count runs to seven with dual front, front side, front centre, and full-length curtain coverage.

How much does the Hyundai Ioniq 5 cost to maintain?

The good news here, as already mentioned, is that Hyundai has doubled the intervals for servicing the Ioniq 5. Whereas the previous model needed a trip to the workshop every 12 months or 15,000km, MY 23 models only need to make the trip once every two years or 30,000km.

The first three services (90,000km or six years) are capped at $570, $1090 and $570 respectively, a total of $2230. Previously, with shorter intervals, servicing costs ran to $660 over three years or $1685 over five.

Hyundai covers the Ioniq 5 with its five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery array is covered for eight years and/or 160,000km, both pretty on par for electric cars in Australia.

Comprehensive insurance for the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq runs to $1803.15 per annum based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

At a glance2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWDWarrantyFive years, unlimited km
Eight years, 160,000km (high-voltage battery)Service intervals24 months or 30,000kmServicing costs$2230 (6 years)

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 energy-efficient?

Here’s the good news. Hyundai claims the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq will use 19.1kWh of energy per 100km. Our week with the Epiq returned an indicated 17.1kWh. Epic.

That’s an excellent return against the manufacturer’s claim, one that will see the claimed range of 454km easily reached and perhaps even exceeded depending on driving conditions. Remember, EVs are at their best in city traffic, the stop-start nature and constant braking a boon for harvesting energy via the Hyundai’s energy recovery system.

There are four levels of regenerative braking, from ‘1’ the mildest to ‘3’ the most aggressive. The levels are adjusted via the paddle-shifters on the steering wheel. They have to be useful for something, after all.

All three levels still require you to use the brake pedal to come to a complete stop. Then there’s single-pedal driving, or level 4, which is so aggressive, you may never need to touch the brake pedal to come to a complete stop.

It takes a while to get used to, but once you get your head around braking distances, it becomes second nature. That said, it felt a little too aggressive for our liking. We found level ‘3’ the perfect blend of regeneration without the overly aggressive brake application.

Hyundai claims the Epiq will cover 454km between charges and that seems reasonable. Overall, a week in the car covering a wide variety of uses – from peak-hour crawls to smooth urban traffic flow to extended highway runs at 110km/h – we found range dropped, on average, by 1km for every 1km travelled. Sure, out on the highway, you’ll use more than 1km of range for every kilometre driven, but you quickly claw that back around town and in traffic thanks to the car’s ability to harvest energy while coasting and braking. The Hyundai isn’t alone in this regard, all EVs using more energy on the motorway while harvesting electrons in stop-start traffic.

The subject of recharging is a vexed one for any electric vehicle. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 remains capable of supporting 400- and 800-volt charging infrastructure, with the capacity to DC fast charge at up to 350kW – enough to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in a claimed 18 minutes, in optimal conditions.

Using a 7kW home-installed wallbox from a third-party supply such as Jet Charge will take around 11h 45min from 10–100 per cent, while a public fast charger pumping out 50kW will replenish the Ioniq 5’s 77.4kWh battery from 10–80 per cent in 1h 13min. 

Using a regular household socket, while good for topping up overnight, isn’t really a feasible option as your only source of power, and will take over a day to replenish the battery from near empty to full. Our recommendation is to pony up and have a dedicated 7kW, or better yet 11kW, charging station installed at home. It’ll remove a lot of stress around range.

What is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 like to drive?

While some electric cars can seem a little alien when first encountered from behind the wheel, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 does a good impression of a regular car. From pressing an unlock button on the Hyundai keyfob, to turning it on via a familiar push-button starter, to shifting into drive via the column stalk and moving away, it’s all pretty much like a regular ICE car.

It’s here where the Ioniq 5 shows its true mettle; a quiet and fast enough conveyance that feels relaxed and easy to drive.

As already stated, the Ioniq 5’s 77.4kWh battery array feeds two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one at each axle that combine to deliver 239kW and 605Nm. The power and torque bias remains at the rear wheels, with 165kW and 350Nm, while the front motor on its own is good for 74kW and 255Nm.

Compared to the Ioniq 5 at launch, the latest version ups front motor output by 4kW and rear motor output by 10kW. Overall combined power climbs by a matching 14kW as a result.

It all adds up to a punchy car without being overly aggressive on the acceleration scale. Hyundai claims the all-wheel-drive Epiq can cover the dash from standstill to 100km/h in around 5.1 seconds, which is fast enough for most people. The real party trick, though, comes in accelerating from 80–120km/h (not that you would, because it’s illegal in most every state and territory in Australia) that is said to take 3.4 seconds.

And it’s this secondary on-the-move surge of speed that proves the most useful, especially when merging onto a freeway or effecting an overtake. It feels effortless, and it feels calm from behind the wheel, an easy surge of speed that is matched by a serene electric hum that sounds like the future.

As easy and serene as the experience is from behind the wheel, a little of the lustre of all the EV goodness comes off on the road. Despite a new suspension tune and set-up, the Ioniq 5 Epiq can feel a little brittle at times, particularly over suburban roads and their scrappy and pockmarked nature.

Things aren’t helped by the 20-inch alloys and slender slide-walled rubber that support the Epiq, which lends the flagship a brittle and sharp demeanour on the road. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker, because overall the ride remains comfortable, but there are moments when the 2125kg (tare) Ioniq 5 Epiq likes to remind you of its weight.

Things get better on smoother surfaces such as Sydney’s motorway network, where the Epiq feels planted and quiet. Road noise is minimal, while wind noise, sometimes exacerbated by a lack of engine noise, is also – somewhat surprisingly – kept down to gentle breeze levels. It’d be an impossible task to totally eliminate road and wind noise, but in this instance, the engineers at Hyundai have done a commendable job.

The steering remains nicely weighted, neither too heavy nor too light. Things get a little tricky when reverse parking. And it’s nothing to do with the Ioniq 5’s size, weight or any other electro-mechanical inputs. Instead, the camera-based side mirrors, with their limited field-of-view, will require a recalibration of your parking skills, certainly if you’re used to adjusting regular mirrors to view kerbs. Those lovely 20-inch alloys have never looked more vulnerable.

Key details2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Epiq AWDEngineDual electric motorsPower74kW front
165kW rear
239kW combinedTorque255Nm front
350Nm rear
605Nm combinedDrive typeAll-wheel driveTransmissionSingle-speedPower-to-weight ratio112.5kW/tWeight (tare)2125kgSpare tyre typeTyre repair kitTow rating1600kg braked
750kg unbrakedTurning circle11.98m

Should I buy a Hyundai Ioniq 5?

We’ve previously suggested that the entry-level Ioniq 5 Dynamiq makes a lot of sense for a lot of people looking to take the leap into electric motoring, stating that “the base-model Ioniq 5 has everything you need and nothing you don’t”.

That doesn’t ring true for the Epiq flagship model we’ve just spent a week in. Yes, it’s nice to have that sunroof and, yes, the trick digital mirrors will ‘wow’ your friends. But the reality is, the camera-based mirrors are annoying, those sexy 20-inch alloys play their part in the Epiq’s slightly brittle ride, and the sunroof isn’t exactly a must-have, especially since this one is fixed in place.

If it’s a powerful all-wheel-drive EV you’re wanting, then the mid-spec Ioniq 5 Techniq offers the same level of performance from its all-wheel drive, twin electric motors, the same crucial levels of safety equipment, identical levels of interior features, and features regular, easy to use mirrors. Yes, you miss out on the sunroof, that trick heat pump and a battery conditioning system, but it’s also priced more competitively and is the better buy.

Better yet, the single-motor entry-level Dynamiq variant is $13,000 more affordable than the flagship, has greater driving range, almost all the niceties found in the models above it on the ladder, and rides on arguably more compliant 19-inch alloys.

Wherever you decide your priorities lie, however, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an excellent entry into electric cars. Yes, the flagship Epiq model is ever so slightly flawed, but if you’re after a great-looking car with plenty of driving range and enough punch from its twin electric motors to make driving enjoyable, then this could be the car for you.

The biggest challenge facing buyers will be getting one, with Hyundai Australia’s allocation limited by head office in Korea and that allocation typically sold before the cars even land in Australia. If you desperately want one, get your name on the waiting list and settle in for a wait. 

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