An update for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has surfaced in Germany, but it seems like the mid-life revision of the retro-influenced electric hatchback won’t feature any dramatic changes.
A debut is expected sometime in 2024.
At this stage we’re struggling to discern any changes with either the headlight or tail-light signatures. It’s possible these will be fitted in later road-going prototypes.
While Hyundai has a long history of dramatic mid-life redesigns for its various models, the Ioniq 5 doesn’t look like it will undergo a major styling makeover.
However, given this car is fitted with covers for the front, back and sides, we expect there will be revised front and rear bumpers. There could also be new sills and plastic elements for the lower sections of the doors, as well as new alloy wheel designs.
The updated Ioniq 5 is rumoured to be getting an N Line variant, which may borrow some design elements from the Ioniq 5 N but not its 448kW/740Nm dual-motor powertrain.
We don’t know at this stage whether Hyundai is planning significant changes to the Ioniq 5’s drivetrain options or battery packs.
Unfortunately the interior has been covered up as well. It’s probably safe to assume there will be updates for the infotainment software, as well as trim fiddles.
The Ioniq 5 made its production debut in 2021 with styling cribbed from the 2019 Hyundai 45 concept, and heavily inspired by the 1975 Pony, the company’s first model to be designed in-house.
Under the skin, the Ioniq 5 was the first model to be based on the company’s e-GMP all-electric architecture. The Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60 are both very closely related to the Ioniq 5.
The e-GMP has since gone on to serve as the basis for the Kia EV5 and EV9 crossovers, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 6 streamliner sedan.
Supply of the Ioniq 5 to the Australian market has been constrained as Hyundai has prioritised production for other markets, chiefly Europe where there are heavy penalties in place for automakers that exceed an average CO2 outputs of 95g/km from their new car sales.
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Current Ioniq 5 -
To the end of September 2023, 707 Ioniq 5s have been sold in Australia. This places it behind the Genesis GV60 (897), Kia EV6 (1147), the Polestar 2 (1789), Tesla Model 3 (14540), and the Tesla Model Y (23,457).
It is, for now at least, selling better than the Mercedes-Benz EQB (578) and EQC (231) crossovers, and the related Ioniq 6 (417).
Hyundai Australia anticipates it’ll have stronger supply of the electric crossover in 2024, and aims to sell up to 4000 vehicles with Ioniq badges next year – around two thirds of which will be the Ioniq 5.
Some dealers will also have demonstrator cars for the first time since the car launched. Fixed pricing remains in place, however.
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