MotorTrend announced today the Hyundai IONIQ 5 as the winner of its “Golden Calipers” for SUV of the Year. The SUV of the Year winner stood out from the formidable competition thanks to its stellar looks, wonderful driving capabilities, roomy and comfortable cabin, efficient battery, and amazing value.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a game-changing rethink on what an SUV can be and is the first EV to win MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year award. The IONIQ 5 offers a bleeding-edge 800-volt electric architecture, making it among the quickest-charging EVs on the market and the least expensive vehicle—at just over $40,000—on the road today featuring this technology.
“For the first time in MotorTrend’s 74-year history, the majority of contenders vying for the MotorTrend SUV of the Year were electrified, with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full battery-electric power, which is great news for consumers looking for efficient, future-forward SUVs and crossovers.” said MotorTrend Group head of editorial, Ed Loh. “After a grueling competition in one of the most competitive SUV of the Year programs ever, the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 came out on top, delivering an affordable, tech-forward crossover with great range and quick charging capability. The IONIQ 5 doesn’t look or drive like any other EV on the road; it leads with interesting and futuristic styling and seals the deal with intuitive, human-centered technology. All this comes in a smartly packaged crossover that fits a wide range of garages, budgets, and lifestyles. Add it up, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a deeply deserving winner of the coveted Golden Calipers.”
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was judged the winner from an incredibly diverse field of 45 total all-new or significantly redesigned SUVs by excelling against the MotorTrend of the Year award’s six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended function.
There’s no denying the IONIQ 5 is one of the most exciting-looking mainstream vehicles to hit the road in the last decade. However, the IONIQ 5’s interior design is just as successful as its exterior styling. Its incredibly roomy cabin is clean, simple, and intuitive, with twin, high-tech 12.3-inch displays as a highlight feature. The IONIQ 5 drives great too: It’s comfortable and relaxing when you want it to be, yet engaging and plain fun when the mood strikes.
“The IONIQ 5 is incredibly fun to drive, combining sharp handling and expert chassis tuning with luxury-level comfort and ride quality in an affordable mainstream EV,” said MotorTrend digital director Erik Johnson. “From the overall shape to clever details you’ll continue to discover long after you drive the IONIQ5 for the first time, Hyundai’s design team knocked this one out of the park.”
The base IONIQ 5 SE Standard Range models are good for 168 hp and an EPA-estimated 220 miles of range. One step up on the trim ladder unlocks the larger 77.4-kWh battery pack with an uprated motor good for 225 hp and an impressive 303 miles between charges. Just as important, the IONIQ 5 is capable of quick-charging its battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes—about the same amount of time as the average fuel and bathroom break on a road trip.
All things considered, the IONIQ 5 is an extremely well-executed EV that backs up its sharp style with surprising substance. It is without question the best vehicle in its segment, which is why MotorTrend is proud to call the Hyundai IONIQ 5 the 2023 SUV of the Year.
For more in-depth analysis on why MotorTrend named the Hyundai IONIQ 5 its 2023 SUV of the Year, please visit MotorTrend’s SUV of the Year award story.
