What happens when a die-hard Volkswagen enthusiast ditches premium gas for a used EV?
In this episode, our friend Gwon explains why he left his 20-year history of driving VW GTIs, GLI and Alltrack to buy a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited Edition for almost half the price of a brand-new one.
We dive into a 6-month owner review, admire the Gravity Gold Matte paint, and put it side-by-side with the VW ID.4. We compare trunk space, the 800-volt versus 400-volt charging architectures, and whether physical buttons beat capacitive touch sliders.
The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.
A transcript, summarized by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.
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Summary: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited Ownership Review vs. Volkswagen ID.4
This podcast features an in-depth conversation with a longtime Volkswagen owner who switched to a used 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited and compares it extensively with the Volkswagen ID.4. The discussion covers ownership experience, design, technology, practicality, and EV living after six months.
A Volkswagen Owner Goes Electric
The guest had owned several Volkswagens over two decades, including:
- 2001 GTI
- 2004 GTI
- 2005 Jetta
- 2007 GLI
- 2017 Golf Alltrack
He purchased a used 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited for roughly half the price of a new model, saying the combination of attractive styling, hatchback practicality, and savings on premium gasoline made the switch to an EV worthwhile. Six months later, his household now owns two Hyundai EVs, and range anxiety has largely disappeared.
Design and Exterior
The hosts praise the Ioniq 5's distinctive styling, describing it as a "hatchback on steroids." Highlights include:
- Gravity Gold Matte paint.
- Aero-inspired Limited wheels.
- Pixel-themed lighting.
- Hidden aerodynamic grille shutters.
- Flush door handles.
- Rear spoiler with airflow channels.
- Functional front trunk (frunk).
Compared with the ID.4, they note the Ioniq appears lower and more hatchback-like despite being classified as a crossover.
Interior and Comfort
The Limited trim receives high marks for its premium features:
- Heated and ventilated seats.
- Memory seats.
- Head-up display with augmented reality navigation.
- 360-degree camera system.
- Panoramic fixed glass roof with power shade.
- Sliding center console.
- Rear-seat Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) household outlet.
- Spacious rear seating.
- "Zero Gravity" reclining driver's seat for charging stops.
The cabin is described as airy, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed, with excellent passenger space.
Technology
The guest admits moving from a 20-year-old Jetta to the Ioniq 5 involved a steep learning curve.
Features discussed include:
- Highway Driving Assist.
- Digital key using a smartphone.
- Remote parking capability.
- Automatic parking.
- 360-degree cameras.
- Hyundai Bluelink app.
- Wireless charging pad.
- Voice controls.
However, the owner criticizes:
- Lack of factory wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on the 2023 model (solved with an aftermarket adapter).
- Capacitive climate controls.
- Voice assistant responsiveness.
- Subscription-based connected services.
Driving Experience
The owner especially enjoys:
- Instant electric torque.
- Quiet operation.
- Hatchback practicality.
- Strong acceleration.
- Comfortable ride.
He finds Hyundai's steering assist too intrusive on winding roads and usually disables lane-centering while retaining adaptive cruise control for highway driving.
Charging Advantage
One significant advantage over the ID.4 is Hyundai's 800-volt E-GMP platform, allowing substantially faster DC fast charging than Volkswagen's 400-volt architecture, making the Ioniq 5 more appealing for long-distance travel.
Comparing the Volkswagen ID.4
Although the guest ultimately chose the Ioniq 5, he praises the ID.4 for:
Strengths
- Excellent fit and finish.
- Familiar Volkswagen driving feel.
- Attractive interior colors.
- Better rear visibility features.
- Rear camera washer.
- Tighter turning circle (especially rear-wheel-drive models).
Weaknesses
- Smaller digital instrument display.
- Earlier infotainment software.
- Capacitive touch controls.
- Larger overall size.
- Less convenient cargo configuration.
The hosts also discuss aftermarket modifications to improve the ID.4's touch controls using parts from Volkswagen Atlas, Audi, and Škoda models.
Practicality
The comparison includes measurements of both vehicles' cargo areas.
The Ioniq 5 offers:
- Power liftgate.
- Frunk.
- Flat cargo floor.
- Slightly smaller underfloor storage.
The ID.4 provides:
- Slightly larger cargo space.
- More underfloor storage.
- A useful center pass-through for carrying long items.
- Rear window wiper and camera washer, features absent on the Ioniq 5.
Ownership Drawbacks
The owner mentions a few compromises with the Ioniq 5:
- Wide body requires adjustment when parking.
- Larger turning radius than the ID.4.
- Rear window lacks a wiper, reducing visibility in wet weather.
- Heavy vehicle weight affects handling and braking compared with his previous Jetta.
- Some subscription features require ongoing payment after the free trial.
Overall Verdict
After six months of ownership, the guest says he would absolutely buy the Ioniq 5 again. He appreciates its styling, practicality, technology, fast charging, comfort, and everyday driving experience, calling it a major upgrade from his previous vehicles.
The hosts conclude that both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volkswagen ID.4 represent excellent values on the used market, with the choice largely depending on buyer priorities. The Ioniq 5 stands out for its styling, premium features, and charging performance, while the ID.4 appeals through familiar Volkswagen driving dynamics, practicality, and solid overall packaging.
via Autobuzz Today
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