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  2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5

  The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 brings back the familiar styling from previous model years of the all-electric SUV, and there's an available trim for just about everyone. The lowest-tier trim of the Ioniq 5 is a RWD version with 168 horsepower that's a bit more sluggish than other EVs on the market. From there, the RWD model can be boosted to 225 horsepower in the SEL trim, which is our favorite model. The top-tier model is a 330 HP AWD trim that makes your commute around town much more exciting. The interior of the Ioniq 5 is loaded with tech, including an all-digital dashboard and a head-up display. Combine all this with up to 300+ miles of range on a single charge, and you have a solid electric compact SUV that's worth checking out. 

  Pros

  • Cool retro-styling
  • Best-in-class DC charging
  • Thrilling driving experience

  Cons

  • Minimal Frunk storage space
  • Performance version lacks range
  • Steering could be more responsive

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  2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6

  The Hyundai Ioniq 6 features a unique, almost banana-shaped appearance that serves a true purpose - it reduces its drag coefficient to just 0.22. Offered with an RWD or AWD configuration, the Ioniq 6 can put down as little as 225 horsepower or as much as 320, and the best part yet is that it will make a good road-tripper too since a 350-kW fast charger can charge it from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. Overall, it's hard to find an electric car that offers the value, amenities, and performance at such an affordable price point. 

  Pros

  • Attractive interior
  • Tons of features
  • Great value for the money

  Cons

  • Disappointing real-world range
  • Limited cargo space
  • RWD version is bit slow

Hyundai came out with the Ioniq in 2017, which was offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric configurations. The name is a portmanteau of ion, a charged atomic particle, and unique. The Korean automaker dug the name so much that they used it to establish a sub-brand, dedicated entirely to an all-electric vehicle division. The first ride they rolled out was the Ioniq 5, an EV compact crossover SUV in 2022, followed by the Ioniq 6 EV sedan in 2023. A mid-size crossover in the Ioniq 7 is looming on the horizon and a full-size pickup called the Ioniq T10 is in the works.

For now, it's the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, both of which were designed to compete with Tesla, which has dominated the EV market. Both Ioniq vehicles are really the first serious EVs from a major automaker to challenge Tesla with a more affordable battery-powered option that doesn't skimp in the style or performance departments. As all the top manufacturers are looking to get into the EV game, Hyundai beat them to the punch with a pair of solid early entries.

One of the biggest knocks on Tesla is that its vehicles are fairly generic-looking with sparse styling and luxury. The Ioniq 5 crossover has some seriously sharp looks, and packs in luxury and features that can't be beat for the price. The Ioniq 6 sedan has a bit of a peculiar style that, while utilitarian for aerodynamics, may not be for everyone. Truth be told, the Ioniq 6 kind of looks like a banana, but is actually not bad from certain angles. In the interest of settling the in-house battle, it's time to see which ride wins in the Ioniq 5 vs. Ioniq 6 smackdown.

UPDATE: 2024/03/30 13:00 EST BY BRIAN ANDERSON

In an effort to conform with TopSpeed's formatting standards, this comparison of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 has been updated with new specs, tables, and pictures. Also, since the original publishing date, newer models of these vehicles have come out, so there is updated information on the latest versions.

In order to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate comparison possible, we've relied on information sourced from Hyundai, Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, IIHS, and hands-on experience. For information regarding our ranking and grading procedures, please refer to our methodology policy.

Performance And Capability

Both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 are built upon the same platform and have the same power options. Base models come with a single electric motor mounted in the back on the rear-wheel drive models. With the bigger battery pack, the single-motor RWD Ioniqs produce 57 more horsepower. A third power option is the dual motor set-up on the all-wheel drive models, which crank out 320 horsepower and really put some fun into the all-electrics.

Base Powertrain Comparison

• 	2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5	2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6
  Model	Ioniq 5 Limited AWD	Hyundai Ioniq 6
  Engine	Dual Electric Motors	Single- or Dual-Motor
  Torque	446 LB-FT	258 - 446 LB-FT
  Driveline	AWD	RWD or AWD
  Range	266 Miles	270 - 361 Miles
  MSRP	$56,500	$42,450 - $50,150

For both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, the standard 168 horsepower single-motor RWD models are a bit underpowered. It may be fine for most daily activities, but drivers will notice it merging on the freeway or attempt to pass. The long range battery version kicks that power up to an acceptable level and is probably all the juice most drivers would ever need. The dual-motor AWD option, however, puts some exciting performance in either vehicle, with enough power to challenge most ICE muscle cars on the road.

Hyundai doesn't offer any extreme horsepower options like the Tesla Plaid trims, but they also don't have any variants floating around a six-figure price tag. Even the upcoming super-powered 2025 Ioniq 5 N has a reasonable price tag. With the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 6, both vehicles have a low center of gravity and sport suspensions, so they are great handling vehicles that are a pure joy to drive. The one negative in terms of the driveabilty of Ioniqs is that the turning radius is kind of wide, so if Hyundai could tighten that up, they'd have a perfect performance EV.

Full Performance Specifications

With a 7.4 second 0-60 time, the base-model single-motor RWD is a little sluggish for an EV. Upgrading to the long-range battery pack, or more ideally, to the dual-motor AWD, isn't all that painful in the pocketbook, so that's definitely something prospective buyers should consider. Whether it is in the Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 6, the upgraded power options deliver plenty of performance for the price.

Fuel Economy

The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 are built on the same platform and have similar curb weights between 3,935 and 4,414 pounds, depending on battery pack, so their electric "fuel economy" are identical. The Ioniq 5 has an EPA-estimated 303 miles of range, while the Ioniq 6 can supposedly go 361 miles on a full charge. As with all EVs, range estimates have to be taken with a grain of salt because driving conditions, climate, and cargo all work to take those lofty distances downward.

(Figures Sourced From The EPA)

Interior Design And Technology

For both Ioniq vehicles, Hyundai has gone for a Tesla-esque minimalist approach to the interior, but it is a lot more classy on the Korean-made cars versus the stark post-apocalyptic landscape of the Elon Musk mobiles. The materials are much warmer in the Hyundai than the Tesla and the assembly and fitting are substantially tighter. The flat floor on either vehicle gives the cabin a roomier feel that is backed up by better-than-average cubic feet of interior space.

EVs are already quieter than a piston-pumping gas-powered cars, but Hyundai has gone to great lengths with both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, adding sound-deadening materials to make for a virtually silent ride. Some folks dig the rumble and roar of a ferocious V-8, but there's something very soothing about a serene, noiseless driving experience. Neither leather seats nor real wood accents are available on either Ioniq models, but the interiors don't have the cheap plastic feel of many popular vehicles on the market.

Ioniq 5 vs. Ioniq 6 Technology Comparison

The Ioniq 5 has a 12-inch digital gauge cluster that is connected to the 12-inch infotainment system. The Hyundai Bluelink system allows for both voice command and remote control over engine starting, door locking, and climate control. The system also syncs with navigation apps, so destinations and routes are as simple as asking Alexis.

The Ioniq 6 has the same digital gauge cluster and infotainment system as the Ioniq 5, only the touchscreen array is slightly bigger at 12.3 inches. While the digital screens are mounted on the dash with the Ioniq 5, in the Ioniq 6, they are embedded. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, but not wirelessly, which is kind of a bummer and almost the same thing as not having them at all.

Interior Room And Cargo Capacity

The Ioniq 5 is an SUV, so it obviously has more cargo room than the Ioniq 6 sedan, but in terms of interior room, both are similar. The Ioniq 5 has a total interior passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, while the Ioniq 6 has 103 cubic feet. The head, leg, and shoulder room stats for each of the EVs are equally comparable. The Ioniq 6 trunk space is nothing to brag about, and both Hyundai's have unimpressive frunk space.

Cargo Space Comparison

(Specs sourced from Hyundai)

Safety And Reliability

The Ioniq 6 has yet to be safety rated by the NHTSA, but the 2023 model was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with Good marks on crashworthiness and "Superior" ratings on crash avoidance. The Ioniq 5 was also an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2024, scoring high in all the categories that matter for surviving and avoiding traffic accidents. Both vehicles have a slightly lower, but acceptable score in head-on collisions, but that's probably because they are EVs and don't have a big gas-powered engine to absorb some of the blow.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 1
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 88 mostly related to computer operating systems
• Awards: IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick

Hyundai Ioniq 6 Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 1
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 9 of an unknown nature
• Awards: IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick

Reliability Comparison

When it comes to reliability, Hyundai is a company that has made great strides to become one of the best-made brands on the road. The Ioniq 5, as well as the Ioniq 6 have only been around for a few model years, so it's impossible to gauge their long-term reliability, but given Hyundai's earned reputation for quality, these two EVs are a safe bet. In addition to great warranties for both vehicles, the battery is covered for 10 years, which is the thing EV owners worry the most about.

Warranty

(Data sourced from Hyundai)

Pricing And Availability

Both the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 introductory SE trims have attractive prices that deliver a lot of features and comfort, but the power leaves something to be desired. Upgrading to an all-wheel drive, dual-motor trim for either vehicle is almost a no-brainer. Finding a high-performance luxury EV in the $50,000 range is almost unheard of, but Hyundai offers two, as either a crossover SUV or a four-door sedan. The Ioniq 5 is quite popular, as well as the Ioniq 6, which brings up the only real drawback to either in that there are some long waiting lists to take delivery on them.

Trim Pricing Comparison

(Pricing sourced from Hyundai)