2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as a standalone brand focused solely on electric vehicles. This new direction was evident in its design, which featured a minimalist yet striking exterior. The Ioniq 5's Parametric Pixel design was both fascinating and frustrating, with its extensive use of pixelated LED lighting elements that gave it a concept car-like appearance. Despite its futuristic exterior, the interior of the Ioniq 5 was a stark contrast, offering a calming and comfortable "Living Space" design. The cabin was adorned with sustainable materials, and the Relaxation mode for the driver's seat provided a zero-gravity resting position, enhancing the overall sense of tranquillity.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform with the Nissan Armada, resulting in a familiar yet distinct appearance. The QX80's front-end styling, characterized by the signature Infiniti grille, set it apart from its sibling. The SUV's exterior was tastefully adorned with LED lighting and chrome accents, while the 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels added a touch of sophistication. Inside, the QX80's cabin boasted upscale materials, including quilted semi-aniline leather seats and wood trim. However, despite its luxurious appointments, the QX80's interior design was beginning to show its age compared to its more modern competitors in the premium full-size SUV segment.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains and configurations to suit different preferences. In Canada, it was available in two trims, Essential and Preferred, with the latter offering long-range and all-wheel-drive options. The base model featured a single 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a larger 168-kW motor, producing 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with an impressive range of 488 kilometres. The all-wheel-drive version, equipped with a dual-motor system, generated 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, though its range dropped to 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its smooth handling and four drive modes, including a Sport mode for added excitement. The vehicle's regenerative braking system, adjustable via paddle shifters, added an element of gamification to the driving experience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, on the other hand, was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, providing seamless and smooth shifts. The QX80's power delivery was linear, and its transmission excelled in distributing power efficiently. The SUV's four-wheel-drive system, based on the global Nissan Patrol, offered impressive off-road capability, with a computer-controlled transfer case and ample ground clearance. The QX80's towing capacity of 3,855 kilograms made it suitable for hauling large trailers or boats. Despite its size, the QX80 managed to control body lean during cornering, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, ensuring a stable and comfortable ride.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which maximized interior space and utility. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5's wheelbase was longer than that of the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade, providing ample room for passengers. The interior offered a total volume of 3,786 litres, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's cabin was designed with comfort in mind, featuring soft touchpoints and a moveable centre console. The leatherette seats were both comfortable and supportive, catering to a wide range of driver sizes.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a traditional body-on-frame construction, resulting in a higher step-in height. The spacious cabin provided a sense of openness, with good head- and legroom for front-seat passengers. The QX80 could accommodate up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat or seven with captain's chairs. However, the third-row seating was cramped, and the power-folding seats were slow to operate. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 470 litres behind the third row and 2,694 litres with all seats folded. Despite these limitations, the QX80's interior featured premium touches like illuminated kick plates and radiant exterior welcome lighting.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or vehicles. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegantly designed and finished with an anti-glare coating, ensuring clear visibility even with polarized sunglasses.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system included navigation with lane guidance and voice recognition. A Bose 17-speaker premium sound system was standard, along with multiple USB ports and a wireless smartphone charger. The QX80 also offered a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, though the absence of HDMI adapters was a drawback. Notably, the QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older architecture.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included lane keeping assist, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While safety ratings from organizations like NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high marks were likely.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning. Additional safety items included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row passengers. The QX80 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from NHTSA, while the structurally similar 2021 model received four stars for overall crash protection. IIHS ratings were not available at the time of writing.