Even at MSRP my problem with the Ioniq 5 is that it's not worth the almost $60k it gets to when you get to the top spec. It's my problem with all of these cars in this tier to be honest, even the "cheap" ID.4 gets to over $55k when you get to the top-trim. This for a car the size and quality of a VW Golf. Really? I love me Golfs, owned several (many if you count Jettas and GTIs) but they're not $55k+ value in any trim combinations or even BEV drivetrain.
As someone who aims to own their cars for 10 years, I don't mind reaching for what the car was "meant to be" as in the long run the few thousand doesn't amount to much if you're not constantly needing to be in a new car. The way these EVs are priced changes that math. You come in with a starting MSRP in your head around $40k and then see $60k, out of reach of most subsidies, it just changes the math, completely and entirely.
Yet these things are sold out continually. The fact that there's never a reckoning for these obviously stupid at face value financial decisions is proof our entire financial system is fucked. If this many people can waste this much money this consistently without the thing coming crashing down that means the system is rife with slaves whether those slaves know they're slaves or not. Capitalism, **** ya.
[IMO] All of these prices are aimed at mid-high end car buyer segment, which is what the Tesla has too. Its fine, but I think it should be recognized that at these price points (>50k), these cars are replacing BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, etc. That's fine, but represents only a small portion of the car buying segment. The Bolt is exactly what the EV market needs, especially the lower end EV. The fast charging is a weak point - irrelevant IMO for most who have driveways, but for a lot of people who cannot charge at home easily (Apt/Condo/etc), an inexpensive faster charging EV would be very desirable - once there is proper infrastructure anyway.
I had a nicely equipped ID.4 on order - produced actually - then I came to my senses. At 53k, it was pretty pricey and completely unnecessary as a third car (or second honestly, practically speaking). If I was replacing a family car, it might have made sense (from a price only perspective). But there is really no EV out there (that I am aware of) capable of hauling 5 people, a dog, and gear for skiing, camping, biking, or whatever, 400 miles one way. For me, I was looking at a car that could absorb some gas usage out of the ICE vehicles we have, and thus spending an extra 15-25k on an EV to save 2-3k per year (if I'm lucky) made no sense to me. But if I wanted a lux vehicle for me only, I might have jumped into something nicer, probably will in a few years. But honestly most of the ones out there now: Hyundai, Kia, ID.4, even the Teslas, don't appeal to me at all design-wise.
www.hyundaiofeverett.com
