In automotive journalism, it has become something of a cliché to describe a new car that draws modern inspiration from an automotive classic as going “back to the future”. The thing is, though, Robert Zemeckis' sci-fi comedy dates back to 1985 and the time-travelling DeLorean is even older, so you don’t really need Biff to rap his knuckles on your head and advise you to “Think, McFly, think” before you decide to use that movie as a metaphor. However, in the case of Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, the comparison is almost impossible to ignore, because not only did the South Korean company go back (specifically to 1974 and Giorgetto Giugiaro’s Hyundai Pony Coupe concept), they also looked to the future (developing cutting-edge charging tech, Tardis-like interior design, and space-age LED exterior lighting) to create one of the best-looking, coolest, and most advanced EVs on the road today. It's a car so good, it was even named World Car of the Year for 2022.

So forget 1.21 gigawatts and hitting 88 miles an hour before witnessing some serious stuff. The IONIQ 5 is all about 77 kWh, a range of up to 315 miles*, and the joy of electric performance. But if you do need any more convincing, here are six very good reasons we should all be grateful that where we are going, we do need roads…

I think we mentioned that the IONIQ 5 was named World Car of the Year. Well, at the same awards, Hyundai’s Chief Creative Officer was named World Car Person of the Year. Luc Donckerwolke’s design back catalogue includes the Lamborghini Murciélago, the Bentley Flying Spur and the development of the luxury Genesis brand, but his work on the IONIQ 5 bears comparison to all those achievements. Drawing inspiration from Giugiaro’s 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe, the South Korean carmaker first showcased what they were working on with the release of the heritage-inspired Concept 45 EV at the Frankfurt motor show in 2019. The finished IONIQ 5 retains that feel, but also delivers a futuristic and minimalist design. “I didn’t want to do business as usual with this car,” Donckerwolke explained. “I wanted to give it a certain relevance by going back in the history of Hyundai – not a retro car, but taking the essence of that design.” By bringing those old-school vibes alongside contemporary architecture, the final result is a hyper-relevant, cool, and iconic car.

If you spot one on the road (don’t worry, you will notice it), the first impression you get is of an average-sized hatchback. It’s not that. The IONIQ 5 measures a whopping 4.6 metres long and 1.6 metres tall, making it almost as big as a luxury midsize SUV, but it looks deceptively smaller and neater thanks to its clean lines, 20-inch aero-optimised alloy wheels, and the clever diagonal creases on the side panels. The huge clamshell bonnet (a first for Hyundai) is a beautifully sleek thing and the flush “pop-out” door handles up the prestige points, too. Visibility and safety are also improved with the introduction of digital side mirrors (another first) that project the view onto OLED monitors, and a full-length vision roof floods the cabin with natural light (or not, thanks to the integral sunshade). But it is the sci-fi inspired bitmap LED headlamps made from 256 cubic pixels that give the IONIQ 5 a really distinctive face. It is a theme that carries over to the back of the car where the parametric pixels create a sharp and stylish rectangular rear light signature.

Because the IONIQ 5 sits on Hyundai’s new “Electric Global Modular Platform” (E-GMP), it benefits from a three-metre wheelbase (between the front and rear axles) that translates into a passenger “living space” that is airy, comfortable, and highly adaptable. Upholstery is soft-touch and part leather, with 64-colour ambient lighting to set the mood. The skateboard-style chassis means the large floor plan is flat, enabling all the seats to be adjusted – the front seats can recline almost horizontally – and the “Universal Island” centre console can be manoeuvred forwards and backwards. It’s the kind of fresh, futuristic thinking that designers have hinted at in the past, but never quite nailed in a production car. Well, they have now.

Two high-tech horizontal 12.3-inch panels – one for digital information, the other featuring user-friendly touchscreen infotainment, with both contained in a single housing – subtly shows off the width of the interior. Hyundai’s Bluelink app allows you to control the car from your phone, and voice activation is available to control systems such as the air conditioning. A Bose eight-speaker system fills the almost silent EV void brilliantly (should you want it), and there is also wireless device charging, USB points, plug sockets, cup holders and storage space aplenty. The slide-out glove box is also a bit of smart design: you simply pull it out like a drawer, which makes it eminently more usable. And privacy glass keeps all this smart tech under wraps.

If you thought IONIQ 5 was already a bit too clever, you ain’t heard nothing yet. Rather than just supporting standard 400V charging, the innovative battery system is able to power up using 800V. That means if you plug into a 350kW ultra-fast charger (not available in Northern Ireland), the IONIQ 5 charges from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 18 to 36 minutes**. And the magic doesn’t stop there. Hyundai have introduced a battery heater and conditioning feature that will automatically support optimal charging when the IONIQ 5 arrives at a charge point. By responding to ambient weather conditions, real-life charging performance is improved. In addition, with its state-of-the-art vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, the IONIQ 5’s battery can be used as a giant power pack. Simply plug in one of your electric devices – a laptop, TV, Jacuzzi – and your car will supply the juice.

IONIQ 5 now comes with a choice of two batteries, three power outputs and two- or four-wheel drive. The entry-level 58kWh battery is paired with a 170 PS motor to power the rear wheels and will carry you from 0 to 62mph in a respectable 8.5 seconds with a range of up to 238 miles*. Opt for the bigger 77.4kWh unit with the rear-wheel drive 228 PS motor and you’ll shave over a second off that 0-62 time and increase your range to up to 315 miles*. But things start to get more interesting when you opt for the top spec. You’ll still get the 77.4kWh battery, but a second electric motor will up your power to 325 PS and is available with Hyundai’s signature four-wheel drive HTRAC system that improves acceleration, stability, traction, and fuel efficiency. In other words, you can generate instant power and hit the 62mph mark in a blistering 5.1 seconds, and extend your range up to 298 miles*. The top speed for the 2023 IONIQ 5 is still to be tested, but expected to be a more than adequate 115 mph. Another new option is a heat pump, which enhances energy efficiency by controlling the heating and air conditioning inside the cabin rather than utilising power from the high-voltage battery. In other words, it provides all the comfort with none of the compromise on range. And the ride quality is boosted by smart frequency dampers that improves the front and rear suspension and enhances handling.

It goes without saying that EVs are a more sustainable answer to our mobility future, but Hyundai has gone further by creatively using environmentally friendly materials within the IONIQ 5’s interior. The seat fabric, for example, is made from recycled PET bottles. Bio components extracted from sugar cane and corn have been used in the manufacturing of the car’s seat covers, headliner, and carpet fabric. The leather panels inside IONIQ 5 are dyed using flaxseed oil, while the doors and crash pads are finished using bio paint that includes plant-based oils, such as rape flowers and corn. And the doors themselves are detailed with 100 per cent recyclable paperette made from HDPE (high density polyethylene).

In summary, it delivers incredibly modern looks, an innovative interior, ultra-efficient charging, substantial range, decent performance, and comes with planet-saving credentials. Hyundai really did make a time machine out of a Pony. Doc Brown would be proud.

* IONIQ 5 range figures are manufacturers own, waiting WLTP homologation.

** Hyundai test data for comparison purposes. Actual time will vary and is dependent on a number of factors including battery temperature, condition and age, ambient temperature and the power provided by the charger. Charge time increases in cold weather and if battery temperature activates safeguarding technology. Ultra-fast chargers are currently available on selected motorways/major arterial routes – see the Charge myHyundai app or chargemyhyundai.com/web/hyundai-gb/map for details. Ultra-fast chargers are not available in Northern Ireland.

*** Some features dependent on trim level.