I got the chance to drive the Hyundai IONIQ 5, VW ID.4 and MG 5 EV around the Millbrook proving grounds and had an amazing time! The IONIQ 5 was the real stand-out car, it was amazing fun, well sized, comfortable and full of great features. The ID.4 was definitely on the larger side, and the MG 5 EV was a surprise at just how decent it was considering it’s insanely low price tag!
The IONIQ was one of the most enjoyable drives I had all day at the SMMT Test Day. It’s not the fastest car, sure, but its the perfect balance for having fun on the roads. The instant torque, great throttle map and playful handling mean you can toss it around or go-to-woe at the lights all without breaking the speed limits. It’s equally practical, and with a reasonable range you might actually be fine to use this as your (only) daily without much issue.
The VW ID.4 is a category I’m a lot less familiar with. It’s very much a family car in the “trendy” SUV style. It rides high, although with an unusual stiffness likely thanks to the weight of the battery pack down below. It’s also definitely in the price bracket below the IONIQ 5 when it comes to interior quality. The instrument cluster display is absolutely tiny, and even the infotainment display is on the smaller side. The plastics are equally on the more budget end too.
Then there is the MG 5 EV. This is one of the cheapest EVs on the market – but honestly, from driving it, you wouldn’t know it. Sure, the materials inside aren’t top-tier, but for the price tag it’s hard to complain. It drives remarkably well with plenty of around-town power, and while the range isn’t perfect I’d expect it to work well for most people and most journeys.
