Hyundai Ioniq 5 Review — Is It Worth Buying Used?

If you are considering an electric car for life around Hornchurch, Upminster or Brentwood, this Hyundai Ioniq 5 review looks beyond its distinctive styling. The Ioniq 5 offers generous cabin space, rapid-charging capability and a comfortable drive, but a used example is only worth buying if its range, charging setup and ownership costs suit your routine. Here is what to check before committing.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 review: what makes it appealing used?

The Ioniq 5 feels more like a spacious family car than its angular shape might suggest. Its long wheelbase helps create an airy cabin, with useful rear-seat room and a practical boot. The quiet drive suits trips through Romford or to Lakeside, while its settled motorway manners make it worth considering for regular A12 or M25 journeys.

Earlier cars were offered with different battery sizes and rear- or all-wheel drive, and specifications changed over time. That gives used buyers a choice, but it also makes the individual car’s details more important than the badge on the boot. Compare the advertised battery, trim and equipment rather than assuming two similarly priced Ioniq 5s are identical.

Range and charging in the real world

Official range varies substantially by battery and version. Your achievable range will also depend on speed, temperature, tyres and heating use. A journey from Upminster towards Chelmsford will place different demands on the battery from repeated short runs around Elm Park and Hornchurch. Use the official figure as a comparison tool, not a promise of miles between charges.

A major strength is the Ioniq 5’s ability to charge quickly at a suitable high-power DC charger. Under favourable conditions, some versions can charge from 10% to 80% in around 18 minutes on a compatible charger. Charging can be much slower when the battery is cold, the charger is limited or the charge level is already high. At home, check the car’s AC charging capability and whether your electrical setup allows a dedicated charge point.

Is a used Ioniq 5 practical for Havering and Brentwood?

For a buyer with reliable home charging, the Ioniq 5 can be especially convenient: plug in overnight and start local journeys with the charge you need. If you park on the street near Upminster or Shenfield station, work out where you would charge before buying. Public charging may still be workable, but compare its prices and availability with the convenience of charging at home.

The Ioniq 5 is fully electric and therefore meets London’s ULEZ emissions standard, an important point for Havering drivers because the borough is inside the ULEZ. That does not mean every London driving or parking charge disappears. Check the current rules for any journey you make regularly.

Its width is another everyday consideration. If you use a narrow driveway, a tight parking space or busy shopping-centre car parks, try those manoeuvres on the test drive. Rear visibility and the operation of any parking cameras or sensors are worth checking, particularly if several people will drive the car.

What should you check before buying a used Hyundai Ioniq 5?

Ask for the registration, VIN, service history and evidence that any applicable manufacturer campaigns have been completed. Some Ioniq 5s have been subject to campaigns concerning the integrated charging control unit, often called the ICCU. Do not assume a particular car is affected or repaired: ask a Hyundai retailer to check its VIN and confirm its status.

• Charging: If possible, demonstrate AC charging and ask whether a DC charging test can be arranged. Inspect the charge port and supplied cables.
• Battery information: Confirm the battery version, review any available battery-health information and ask about the remaining manufacturer battery warranty. Check the applicable terms rather than relying on a general claim.
• 12-volt battery: Ask about any history of flat batteries or warning messages, and check that the car starts and its systems operate normally.
• Tyres and brakes: Look for even tyre wear and listen for brake noise. The car’s weight and regenerative braking make a proper inspection worthwhile.
• Equipment: Test the heating, air conditioning, screens, cameras and driver-assistance features fitted to that specific car.

Check its MOT history if it is old enough to need an MOT: most cars require their first test when they reach three years old. An MOT is not a substitute for inspecting the car today. You will also need to tax a used EV before driving it, even if the vehicle has previously been taxed by its last keeper. Check the current vehicle excise duty for the specific car when setting your budget.

Costs and alternatives: is the Ioniq 5 worth it?

Electric running costs can be attractive, particularly with suitable home charging, but purchase price is only part of the calculation. Get an insurance quote for the exact registration, compare home and public electricity prices, and allow for tyres and servicing. If financing the purchase, compare the total amount payable as well as the monthly instalment; deposit, term and interest rate can change the picture considerably.

It is also worth driving alternatives before deciding. London Motor Company carries a broad selection of used cars, including Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Nissan and Toyota models, although availability changes. A different EV or hybrid may better suit a buyer without home charging, while the Ioniq 5 may win over someone who values its cabin space and fast-charging capability.

Our verdict on the used Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Ioniq 5 is well worth a look if its size fits your parking arrangements and you have a realistic charging plan. Choose by battery, condition and documented history rather than headline range alone. For buyers in Upminster, Cranham, Brentwood and nearby areas, LMC Cars at White Post Farm, Ockendon Road, Upminster, RM14 3PP, can help you compare available cars in person. Browse London Motor Company’s current stock, arrange a test drive and check the full ownership costs before you decide.