2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 scores increased battery capacity, tech upgrades overseas

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 may have only hit Australian shores in recent months but it is already being updated overseas, scoring a range of technology updates.

Hyundai's UK arm announced its 2023 model year Ioniq 5s will feature an increased capacity lithium-ion battery pack, going from current largest size of 72.6kWh to 77.4kWh, or around 6.6 per cent.

The 77.4kWh pack comes from the Ioniq 5's Korean cousin, the Kia EV6 – both are based on the E-GMP platform but Kia's offering boasts a higher driving range of up to 528 kilometres in rear-wheel drive guise, an improvement over the Ioniq 5's 451 kilometres.

3

Available as an option, Hyundai will also offer battery conditioning tech for the electric vehicle, with enhanced cooling and heating systems switching on whenever a charging port is set as a destination within the car's navigation system – both priming it to be charged and ensuring the pack has enough juice to make it there.

On top of this, the second optional extra to be added is the addition of digital, video-based mirrors, making use of streamlined cameras which are located on the doors and under the rear spoiler, in the case of the interior's digital centre mirror.

A set of new shocks – dubbed Smart Frequency Dampers – have been added to the list of standard equipment, aiming to improve the ride quality and handling of the rear axle.

3

However, a spokesperson for Hyundai Australia told Wheels the introduction of the updated battery and optional tech isn't in its current plans for the Ioniq 5.

"The are no currents plans to introduce the slightly larger battery version Ioniq 5 in Australia," said the spokesperson.

"Likewise, we can’t confirm any details or specifications at this stage but you can expect similar line-ups to those seen in overseas markets – including the smaller battery version [a 58kWh, rear-wheel drive variant].

"We have plans to expand the Ioniq 5 range and introduce lower trim grade models, but we can’t confirm timing on this yet."

The first allocation of the Ioniq 5 went on sale in October last year, selling out within two hours as the first examples arrived in Australia before 2022, with local buyers able to opt for a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive variant.