Hyundai's Ioniq 5 sport-ute riding high on the EV charts

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 the epitome of electric vehicle evolution?

Many of my auto-reviewing colleagues seem to think so.  And scores of automotive experts around the globe have heaped awards upon it. It was the 2022 World Car of the Year.  Hard to argue with those accolades, right?

Nevertheless, I was happy to get more seat time recently in the vehicle -- a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD in this case.

Right off the bat, it looks good.  Sort of a smooth-looking sedan with just the right amount of sport-ute DNA and functionality.  Stepping into the cockpit, I have every confidence that the Ioniq is perfectly sized.  And on the fly, it handles brilliantly -- responsive, agile and a nicely firm feel through the steering wheel.

Being a shameless watcher of power levels in the EVs I've tested, I confess that I was totally at ease in the Ioniq 5.  That probably has something to do with its mpg equivalents of 113 miles in city driving and 90 mpg on the highway. A prudent driver likely can hit the 300-mile mark on a single charge, courtesy of a long-range lithium ion battery and dual electric motors

And if the driver has strategized routes and equipment wisely, it can be recharged from 10percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes.

Driving range and gas pump avoidance are the two primary factors considered by prospective EV buyers. While the Ioniq 5 has those covered nicely, it's everything else that puts it up there in a special class.

The standard list of comfort/convenience features on the tester -- priced at $58,005 -- was extraordinarily long.  It included a hands-free liftgate, a head-up display, a surround-view monitor, remote street parking assist, smart cruise control, ambient interior lighting and much more.

Simply put, the vehicle -- with its state-of-the-art electric powertrain and standard perks -- probably should be priced at $65,000, or more.

So, is the Ioniq at the top of the EV food chain?  I find myself at a loss to argue otherwise.