Ex-Tesla owner: Ioniq 5 hardware is great, tech needs help
Having switched from a Tesla to an Ioniq 5, I want to emphasize how much I prefer the Ioniq's drive, build quality, and comfort. It is a fantastic vehicle. However, the overall EV experience is currently being held back by disjointed technology and a lack of minimalism.
To make this the absolute best EV on the market, the user experience needs serious streamlining in a few key areas:
Clunky Digital Key & Profiles: The car should instantly recognize the driver upon entry, set preferences, and be ready to drive. Forcing the driver to press the start button and manually select a user profile is an unnecessary bottleneck.
No Walk-Away Lock: When I exit the car and walk away, the vehicle should simply turn off and lock automatically.
Auto-Drive Inconsistency: The driver-assist technology is inconsistent enough that I rarely use it outside of low-speed, straight-line traffic.
Too Much Redundancy: There are simply too many buttons, stalks, and extra steps to perform basic functions. Combined with complicated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, the software feels like an afterthought.
All this daily friction takes away from what is otherwise an incredibly enjoyable driving experience. Because of these frustrating tech issues, I am currently giving the Ioniq 5 a 3 out of 5 rating, when the car's underlying quality truly deserves a 4 or 5.
Hyundai, if you take the seamless, minimalist tech approach of Tesla and pair it with your superior build quality, you will take over the world. You have an amazing car here—you guys can fix these software issues!