Over-the-Where Updates? Chasing Software in Our 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Free from the stresses of contained explosions and contaminated fluids, electric vehicles need far less maintenance than those with combustion engines. Less is the operative word here. As our 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 long termer rolled up to 5,000 miles, it alerted me that service was due. For what, exactly? Skeptical, I scheduled at a Hyundai dealership, from where the crossover soon departed with nothing but a tire rotation. Mechanically, everything was perfect. Digitally, however, the Ioniq 5 wasn't—and getting it there was a hassle.

When our Ioniq 5 first arrived, its infotainment lacked a height adjustment function for the head-up display. Investigation linked that vagary to outdated software. No problem, I thought. Just run an over-the-air (OTA) update—right? Not quite. Although the Ioniq 5 is capable of OTA updates, that's only one of the ways it can obtain new software.

Another method requires a computer and an external hard drive. Hyundai has a website dedicated to this process. An application from that site led me to the vehicle's newest software version, a file of approximately 30 gigabytes. After downloading it to an external hard drive, I plugged it into the Ioniq 5's USB data port. The car immediately recognized the drive and prompted to begin the update, warning me not to move the car, or unplug the drive.

I agreed, uneasy about being unable to go anywhere for an indeterminate amount of time, but just under an hour later it was complete. Success—it added that head-up display adjustability in addition to a redesigned battery status page, improved voice recognition for navigation shortcuts, a preconditioning mode for battery charging, and other background changes.

This update was ultimately pretty easy; more time consuming than technically difficult. Not planning my afternoon around it would've been nice, but at least I didn't have to schlep to and from a service center. Except I soon found myself schlepping in search of software.

Certain other updates require a Hyundai technician to plug into the Ioniq 5. An example is a revision to the Eco drive mode's accelerator map for better off-the-line response and must be loaded onto a specific control unit in the car by qualified hands. I knew Eco mode felt subdued, but was that because of this outdated software? No one could tell me conclusively.

I first called the dealership, which ran the Ioniq 5's VIN and said it was up-to-date. I'm old enough to know not to take dealerships at their word, so next called Hyundai corporate for their opinion. (Owners without our privileged access can use Hyundai's customer service line for human assistance with such matters.) My contact provided a technical service bulletin, and advised me to press the dealer with that information. So I called again and conveyed the bulletin number (23-EV-002H), after which the technician on the other end advised me to check the Ioniq 5's ROM ID number—this would tell me if it had the latest software or not.

That ID was nowhere to be found. I called the dealer again, and asked they book me a time to come in. Then we could investigate with all the necessary hardware, software, and human resources in one place.

To the service center I drove. On arrival the VIN was checked and, as before, didn't return any outstanding updates—I was free to leave. But what about this bulletin? Where's this ROM ID? The technician seemed as curious and confused as I was. We dug through submenus in search of clues. As none were uncovered, we eventually deduced a conclusion: the VIN check was right. The Ioniq 5 was equipped with the Eco mode software revisions at the factory. It'd been up to date all along.

An irony in all of this is that, despite OTA update capability, Hyundai has yet to beam any updates to our Ioniq 5. Instead, it sent me to chase the latest tech between branches of an automaker that still seems structured around analog methods—despite that automaker creating an EV that's otherwise ahead of the curve. Meanwhile, our long-term Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T have received numerous OTA software updates, without any old-school hard drives or time-sucking dealer visits needed.

What this runaround showed me is this: Hardware can make a new car good, but to an increasing degree software can make it great—or perhaps grating, depending on how easy said software is to revise.