From a glaring omission to driving toward practicality, it looks like the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric vehicle will be getting a much-needed rear wiper.

A recent Car And Driver article shows the powerhouse IONIQ 5 N prototype being tested in Sweden with the rear covered in snow and ice. Looking at the bottom of the window is where you’ll find that precious strip of plastic and rubber that’s been absent for 2022 and 2023 models.

Will it be standard or optional is yet to be announced but I feel buyers will pay for it if it’s the latter.

Here’s a 2023 I test drove without the rear wiper in the rain.

Why is it at the bottom instead of tucked away beneath the spoiler?
After attending the global launch of the 2024 Kona EV in February, where I asked that very question, I was told that there’s more area coverage with a bottom mounted wiper. There’s a, pardon the pun, “cleaner” look with it hidden but doing that offers a smaller coverage area.
Function > Fashion.

No word yet on if Kia’s EV6 will get the same reward but I feel it should.

No official comment has been made by Hyundai on if it’ll be on all 2024 models, or if there’ll be a retrofit option on 2022/2023 models.
Perhaps they’ll wait for the mid-cycle refresh, due in 2025/2026; we’ll have to wait and see until we get a…clearer picture.