I was at the dealership today getting my LEAF serviced and ended up taking a test drive in a brand-new Ioniq 5. The acceleration was impressive, and it felt solid overall. The interior was really nice too.
However, the steering wheel felt heavy, way more than my LEAF or my old Camry. I’ve seen some people online saying the steering on the Ioniq 5 can feel either too loose or too stiff, so I wanted to ask here: does this car have a setting to adjust steering wheel stiffness?
The heavy steering was a big turn-off for me, which is a shame because I know the Ioniq 5 is a solid EV. I’m not weak or anything, but it felt like I had to really work to turn that wheel.
Is this just how the car’s designed, or is it more likely something was wrong with the one I drove?
I filed a bug with Hyundai to let us mix and match steering effort with mode (e.g., light with Sport).
Audi has something like this, with comfort, sport, and efficiency settings, plus a custom mode to mix settings for steering, suspension, and throttle response. You’d think other brands could add a feature like this since it’s software-based.
I doubt there’s an issue with a brand-new car, but I’d recommend test-driving another one just to compare. The Ioniq 5 is one of the best EVs available, especially for the price.
But comparing it to an old Camry or LEAF might not be the best, as those have super light, boosted steering. Personally, I dislike steering that feels too light, where even a sneeze could move the wheel! The Ioniq 5 has a balanced feel—not too stiff, not too loose. If you’re after an EV with very light steering, maybe check out some American options like the Cadillac Lyriq or the GM EVs (like the Blazer or Equinox, although they charge slower than the Ioniq 5). I’ve also heard the Nissan Ariya has softer steering, though it doesn’t get a lot of attention.
@Robert
Honestly, if stiff steering is the norm for the Ioniq 5, that’s disappointing for me. I’ve been eyeing this car for a while, but if it feels like steering a truck, that might be a dealbreaker (no pun intended). I was hoping for more maneuverability.
@jabali
The Ioniq 5 is super easy to drive. A Camry or LEAF has feather-light steering that you won’t find in most new cars today, but they shouldn’t feel drastically different from the Ioniq 5. Definitely try another Ioniq 5, and maybe speak to another sales rep if the first didn’t know the car well. It’s the opposite of a box truck, for sure!
abidemi said:
Did you have it in one-pedal mode? That can make the steering noticeably heavier because the front motor is always engaged.
Yes, I was in iPedal mode, which is a must-have for me in any EV.
It’s disappointing if that’s what makes the steering so sluggish. I usually drive exclusively in one-pedal mode… bummer that it adds that much weight to the steering.