√Hyundai Ioniq 5 spotted in Korea ahead of mid-life update

A facelift for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric car appears to be around the corner, as a prototype is spotted on the road in South Korea.

South Korean car-maker Hyundai’s first dedicated electric vehicle – the Ioniq 5 hatchback – could soon be in line for an update.

Photos of a camouflaged test vehicle being driven near Hyundai’s research and development centre in Namyang, South Korea, have appeared online.

Images found by Korean Car Blog show a heavily-camouflaged Ioniq 5 in traffic, with coverings hiding the car’s front fascia, doors, and rear end. Trademark LED daytime running lights – and the box-shaped bodywork – are the giveaways that this is an Ioniq 5.

It is unclear how much has changed underneath the heavy camouflage. However, one difference between this prototype and the Ioniq 5 on sale today is the addition of integrated roof rails.

The relative secrecy with which Hyundai is hiding its prototype points towards an early stage of the facelift’s development.

At this early stage it is unclear if the updated model will get any more electric power, a larger battery pack or better energy efficiency.

A model year update in 2022 brought a larger 77.4kWh battery pack to the Ioniq 5, so it remains to be seen if there will be any further driving range improvements.

We can’t see inside the cabin of this camouflaged prototype, but newer Hyundai models launched since the Ioniq 5 – such as the new Kona small SUV – have adopted newer infotainment software and over-the-air updates.

There could also be slight revisions to the digital instrument displays – and a more spacious centre console arrangement – if the latest screens in the recent electric Ioniq 6 sedan are a guide.

New technology features could also be introduced. The Ioniq 5 is one of Hyundai’s newer models not yet available with its Bluelink remote access function, which can display a vehicle’s tyre pressures, location, battery level, cabin temperature, and navigation via a mobile phone app.

Considering Hyundai has only just revealed the Ioniq 5 N – a ‘hot hatch’ version of the electric car based on the styling of the original Ioniq 5 – during last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, this facelifted regular Ioniq 5 is not expected until next year.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric hot hatch was revealed last week and is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in early 2024.

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