98
powerful 1.6-litre petrol offers full hybrid and a 6-speed clutchless automatic. Standard equipment is good with all models having
automatic lights and wipers, climate control, cruise, front and rear parking sensors, rear view camera and navigation. My test model was the S-Edition starting at £28,590, including adaptive cruise control, high beam assist, LED lights, keyless entry and start, plus a host of safety and other kit. Oddly there’s no rear wiper, although it doesn’t seem to obstruct vision in wet weather but still a strange omission. The Arkana’s full hybrid system allows the car to
sort out when to go electric, petrol or both, and to manually select pure electric for short distances. It makes for a very easy drive with smooth transitions between electric and combustion power. This smooth and refined drive is audibly interrupted if you opt for sudden, hard acceleration, as the engine revs rise and wait for everything else to catch up. It’s a trait that
HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 ATTENTION SEEKING STYLE W
e’re used to cars being adapted from combustion engine vehicles to accommodate the change to battery power. Hyundai’s
IONIQ 5 is different in that it was designed as a battery electric vehicle. It looks striking compared to anything else and one of the best comments describes it as looking very digital. From matrix style lights to pop-out door handles it’s futuristic without looking odd. It’s a surprisingly large vehicle, inside and out, and
you might reasonably expect it to be something along the lines of the i30, but it’s much larger and almost feels like a mini-SUV. It attracts attention! Rarely have so many people stopped me to talk about a car. The top-of-the-range 20-inch wheels are particularly unique and add to the futuristic look. Oddly, there is no rear wiper despite an obvious need, water may disperse off the screen at speed, but dirt doesn’t! Inside it looks and feels very premium, with the lighter interior especially upmarket. A near flat floor and seats that are more like aircraft than car seat, particularly good comfort levels and an exceptionally good range of adjustment. Clever battery saving devices such as switching off passenger heating are well thought out. Equally good thinking with doors that open beyond the sill to keep your legs clean when exiting the car. Many manufacturers are moving towards completely
digital controls but the IONIQ5 is very digital, but it’s a double-edged sword. There’s a cleaner and more modern interior look, but many functions require
MOTORING, THEN THE IONIQ 5
REALLY SHOULD BE ON YOUR SHORTLIST.
OF MAKING THE CHANGE TO ELECTRIC
IF YOU’RE THINKING
delving into sub menus making it somewhat of a hassle. Buttons are quicker, easier and more readily useable without taking your eyes off the road. I could rant on further about the far too interventionist lane-keep and other automatic systems, but this is something common to all manufacturers. The IONIQ 5 starts at a not
unreasonable, in EV terms, £37,600 with three trim levels and two battery options
of 58kwh or 73kwh. The driving range is 238 miles or 298 miles respectively, but bear in mind those are ideal world figures. On the road the IONIQ 5 is a superb drive, 62mph in just over 5 seconds and a suspension system that very successfully irons out the bumps with generally decent handling given its size and a ride obviously aimed at comfort. If you’re thinking of making the change to electric
motoring, then the IONIQ 5 really should be on your shortlist.
isn’t unique to Renault transmissions of this type, and to be fair this is one of the better systems in this regard. Go for smooth, progressive acceleration and the Arkana will power itself away with a delightfully unruffled air. With a 107 mph top speed and 62 mph passed in 10.8 seconds it’s by no means pedestrian. Despite a taller stance it handles well and rough roads did not upset the Arkana’s comfort. Inside there’s a nicely laid out, modern looking dash with buttons (hurrah!) and sensible touchscreen operations. The central touchscreen is portrait orientated, rather than the more usual landscape, and works better for it in my view. The Arkana’s style won’t be to everyone’s taste but it
has real presence without the compromised looks of similar coupé crossovers. There’s a feel of quality along with decent levels of interior space. It’s definitely one that should be high on the hit list for those seeking something a little different to the conventional norm.
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