IF the dilemma of whether to take the plunge and embrace fully electric motoring weighs heavy on the mind, there's a model in pole position to help make things simpler.

With a host of awards - including a World Car of the Year title - to bolster its credentials, the HyundaiIoniq 5 is a serious player that continues to become ever more appealing.

It's a car that really stands out from the EV crowd as well, with a blend of retro and futuristic styling that's guaranteed to turn heads.

From its clean Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-type face to its zigzag creased sides and space age rear end, theIoniq 5 looks like no other vehicle on the road.

Design apart there's so much else to like about the car, not least the space, technology and value for money it offers.

Entry level versions, which cost from £43,445, come with a 58kWh battery and rear-mounted electric motor together producing 167bhp, giving theIoniq 5 a range of 235 miles.

But upgrades introduced last year mean higher spec models, our all-wheel drive Premium variant included, feature a 77kWH pack - an improvement on the previous 72.6kWh unit - boosting the power to 235bhp and the capability to return up to 315 miles.

This more powerful battery is included on both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models, the latter having front and rear motors and boasting an impressive acceleration figure of 0-62 in 5.1 seconds.

Charging, a necessary inconvenience that has dissuaded potential customers from making the switch to electric in the past, is becoming less of an issue as time goes on.

In the case of theIoniq 5 if you plan on using public fast chargers the Hyundai supports 800-volt charging, meaning you can top up from near empty to 80 per cent in 18 minutes - providing it's at a 350kW rapid charger.

Otherwise a full fill from a 7kW home wallbox is an overnight exercise, just short of the 12-hour mark.

As a model that falls somewhere between an SUV and a hatchback, but not exactly a crossover, theIoniq 5 blends the better qualities of all three, so there's a welcome sense of space including a large glass area in what is a very minimalist cabin.

Its clean black, grey and silver alloy elements are dominated by twin 12.3-inch screens on top of the dash and the controls are simple enough to operate, while the wealth of stowage spaces lift, slide and plunge to accommodate cups, bottles, phones, cards and cash.

Head, shoulder and legroom is plentiful in all seating positions and the 531-litre boot has a lower level for added versatility and there's also a well beneath the bonnet for cables or extra shopping.

As for quality the feel continues Hyundai's shift towards an upwardly premium target in a model where everything feels solidly manufactured and put together with precision.

Out on the road, comfort rather than pin-sharp handling and outright performance is the principal consideration and it's something the ‘5' does extremely well courtesy of a composed ride, cleverly damped suspension and smooth auto transmission.

You can select between Eco, Normal and Sport settings or just keep a finger on the neatly-placed Drive Mode button for Snow.

As for kit and tech there's plenty even from entry grade Premium, the likes of heated front seats, parking sensors, 64-colour ambient lighting, wireless mobile phone charging, 19-inch alloys, leather steering wheel, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and a full suite of safety features.