2024 HYUNDAI IONIQ 5

IONIQ 5 ADDRESSES ISSUES BUYERS 

MIGHT HAVE WHEN SHOPPING FOR EV

The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addresses at least two of the more-common concerns shoppers have when they are looking into buying an all-electric vehicle (EV), namely driving range and charging times.

Received with high praise in its debut 2022 model year, the South Korean’s compact SUV can be had in models that offer just over 300 miles of driving range between charges when equipped with the extended range battery. (Hyundai puts range for the standard range battery at 230 miles.)

That should ease range-anxiety fears somewhat.

The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 also addresses the issue of charging times, claiming that fast charging outlets (really fast, like 350 kw) can boost the battery up from 20 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes, which still is longer than the typical full-up time at a gas station but quicker than the hours that some EVs require.

An aside here: Why 80 percent? After all, you usually don’t stop filling up the tank of your gasoline-powered vehicle when it reaches just under three-quarters full. Well,  according to experts, keeping your EV charged between 20 and 80 percent helps extend battery life among other things. You also avoid the slow down that comes in getting the battery from 80 to 100 percent charge, which extends charging time.

But back to the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5.

My experience pretty much backed up Hyundai’s claim. My test Ioniq 5 went from under 40 percent charge to 84 percent in less than 20 minutes at a 150 kw connector, giving it a driving range of 217 miles in Normal mode, 211 in Sport, and 224 in Econ.

Turning off the A/C increased the computer readout to 231/224/237, respectively, but summer is coming (already here in South Florida) so probably not a good opportunity to shut down the A/C.

Hyundai offers the 2024 Ioniq 5 in rear- or all-wheel drive and in four trims. The RWD SE Standard Range carries a starting MSRP of $41,800 and serves as the base model. The RWD SE with a larger battery pack ups the ante to $45,850 and is followed by SEL and Limited trims, the latter topping out at $57,400 with AWD.

AWD models with the larger battery pack generate 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque while those with RWD check in at 225 and 258, respectively. The RWD Standard Range numbers are 168 hp and 258 lb.-ft. 

This review is based on the limited production 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum edition with AWD and the long-range battery.

Input from the Disney Company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024 (Mickey Mouse a century old; my how time flies), is pretty much cosmetic. It features such design touches as a special exterior color called Gravity Gold (which can easily be confused as silver), special Disney 20-inch wheels, distinctive badging, Disney100 door trim, Disney100 logos throughout, including floor mats, and Disney theme music as a greeting at the start-up.

Among more automotive-related standard features on the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition are LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights; proximity key with push-button start, hands-free power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated leather-covered steering wheel, Smart (adaptive) cruise control, highway driving assist, 12.3-inch instrument cluster, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation, Bose Premium audio, wireless phone charger, Hundai’s Blue Link suite of connected services, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety systems include a surround-view monitor, forward collision avoidance assistance, parking distance warning and collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, blind-spot monitor, and lane-keeping and lane-following assist. Using your turn signal activates the blind spot view monitor that shows vehicles approaching from behind at your left and right.

Cargo space is 27.2 cubic feet with all seats up, 59.3 with the back row folded. The “frunk,” or front storage space, is less than a cubic feet.

Starting MSRP for the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition with AWD is $59,400. With the only option $1,000 for the Gravity Gold color, total MSRP ran to $61,775 including the $1,375 freight charge.

No, the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 Platinum Edition doesn’t address another common complaint the general public has about the EV segment, which is the initial cost. 

What I liked about the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 AWD Platinum Edition: It’s a fun car to drive with all that torque instantly kicking in at the touch of the throttle pedal. The extended range battery provides acceptable range and charging times at fast charge outlets. The cabin is roomy and the ride, as you might expect, is quiet.

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 AWD Platinum Edition: The lane-keep system gives an odd feel in the steering system. Infotainment features are user-friendly enough though searching through the myriad of features for what you want can be confusing. A knob to surf the radio dial would be nice. Rear pillars obstruct the view out the back somewhat. The gear selector is kind of funky.

Would I buy the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Disney100 AWD Platinum Edition? Not now. The charging time is an improvement over some other EVs I have experienced but still not ready for prime time, especially if you are considering an extended trip.

2024 FORD MAVERICK HYBRID

ECOBOOST ENGINE NOW STANDARD, HYBRID DRIVETRAIN OPTIONAL ON MAVERICK TRUCK

The 2024 Ford Maverick is pretty much the same compact pickup that Ford brought to market for 2022, but the company did make one somewhat unusual change.

The first two Mavericks were offered with a gas-electric hybrid drivetrain as standard and a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder as an option.

The 2024 Ford Maverick switches those, making the 2.0L Ecoboost the standard and the gas-electric hybrid an option.

If you want horsepower and torque, you go with the Ecoboost and its 250 hp and 270 pound-feet. If you are seeking fuel-saving, the hybrid with its EPA ratings of 42 miles-per-gallon city, 33 highway and 37 combined are your choice.

EPA figures for the front-wheel-drive 2.0L Ecoboost with its 8-speed automatic transmission are 23/30/26. All-wheel-drive models are reported at 22/29/25.

Either drivetrain is available on all three trims (XL, XLT, and Lariat, but all-wheel drive is offered only on the 2.5L  A Tremor package that enhances off-road capability is offered on XLT and Lariat models with the 2.0L and AWD.

The hybrid with its 2.5L 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and 2.0L turbo have the same 2,000-pound towing capacity and similar payloads of 1,500 pounds though when the Tremor package is added that is cut to 1,200 pounds.

The XL trim serves as the base model and probably is more appealing to those looking for a light-duty work truck. The XLT, which serves as the basis for this review, is more comfortably equipped while still ing the starting price tab below the $30,000 mark that the Lariat surpasses.

Standard features on my test 2024 Ford Maverick XLT Hybrid included second-row under-seat storage, an 8-inch center stack screen, Apple CarPlay ad Android Auto, single-zone climate control with knobs to operate control temp and blower speed, cloth seats, an 8-inch center stack with touchscreen, electronic parking brake, a rotary gear shift dial, selectable drive modes (normal, Eco, sport, tow/haul, slippery), LED automatic headlamps, and a power tailgate lock.

All that and more is covered by the  suggested MSRP of $26,315.

The hybrid drivetrain added $1,500 to the starting price, and an XLT luxury package (8-way power driver and 6-way adjustable passenger seat, heated seats, LED box lighting, trailer hitch, and vinyl-wrapped steering wheel) added another $2,275. a black appearance package tacked on $1,545, and a couple of other options that included Ford’s Co-Pilot suite of safety systems like blind-spot warning and lane-keeping assist ran the final total to $34,115 including the $1,595 destination and delivery fee.

That approaches the Lariat’s starting MSRP of $34,855. The base XL Maverick starts at $23,815.

What I liked about the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid: You don’t have to plug it in to get the benefits of fuel-saving gas-electric drive. The size its a sweet spot between capability and maneuverability. It is big enough to do all but the largest kind of “truck stuff” while still at home in crowded parking lots. Infotainment features are user-friendly. Knobs are there to adjust volume and surf the radio dial. 

What I didn’t like about the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid: AWD not available on the hybrid, which also comes with a CVT. The spartan cabin could use some sprucing up.

Would I buy the 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid? Not in the market for a truck, but if I were, this definitely would be high on my list to look at. It’s a good size and the hybrid drivetrain provides good fuel economy.