Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD Inspiration 77 kWh Review: An Incredible Made-in-Singapore Achievement

What we like:

Great packaging

Refined ride and relaxing drive

Design inside and out

Luxury and space

What we dislike:

Not the last word in engagement

After the Desaru drive of the Inspiration 77 kWh variant of the Ioniq 5 last year, I formed an initial opinion that it is the best version of the Ioniq 5 yet. Its high speed composure and utter refinement made it an excellent North-South Highway conqueror, while it indeed proved itself even a competent handler on Malaysia’s B-roads.

A few months later, we are testing the same car in Singapore to see how it stacks up in our unique driving conditions.

Well, how does the Ioniq 5 AWD Inspiration 77 kWh drive in Singapore?

Is it any wonder that it excelled? It’s not so big that it feels uncomfortable on our roads, but it’s so cleverly packaged that it’s as spacious as a limousine for both front and second row passengers. It’s not sporty per se, but it will get around comfortably and lethally quickly like the best GT cars out there. It truly is one of the most complete, well-engineered electric vehicles currently in the market.

What sets the AWD Inspiration 77 kWh variant apart from other Ioniq 5s?

This flagship variant felt more tied down on the road with a more composed ride as well as better steering feel. This seemed to be confirmed by a seasoned passenger (also a car reviewer) while we drove to the airport - he had tried a single motor version of the Ioniq 5, as I did, and found it less impressive than the flagship, and it isn’t just about the power. In every measurable way, the Inspiration 77 kWh variant shows the Ioniq 5 in its best possible light.

What does the Ioniq 5 AWD Inspiration 77 kWh cost in Singapore?

At circa $241k at time of writing, it is competitively priced against cars like the Polestar 2 ($240k for the standard range single motor variant) or the Kia EV6 ($243k for the standard 58 kWh variant). You seem to get more for less with the Hyundai.

How long will the made-in-Singapore Ioniq 5 AWD Inspiration 77 kWh last?

If you have concerns about build quality - conceivable since Singapore isn’t typically a place famous for building cars - you have nothing to worry about. The Singapore made car feels identical, if not even better built than the Ioniq 5s that come from Korea. It’s an impressive feat, but you’d understand why once you’ve read our coverage of the manufacturing facility in Bulim.

Is the Ioniq 5 AWD Inspiration 77 kWh a reliable car?

Related to the question above, I think the Ioniq 5 is built to a very high standard at the Bulim plant. Defects are instantly recognised and rectified prior to leaving the factory, as everything is tracked digitally. It would seem that it’s as close to perfection as we can get, perhaps more than a human can ever achieve. I would not be too concerned about the car’s reliability, and the initial few batches of Ioniq 5s on the roads posed no issues.

Last question, is the Ioniq 5 AWD Inspiration 77 kWh a hatchback or SUV?

Aside from some quizzing about where the car should be placed in our Car of the Year categories, does it really matter? It actually offers the benefits of both - it’s as practical as a hatchback, while giving the ride height of an SUV. It’s a brilliant design coup.

Photos by James Wong

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