Hyundai IONIQ 5 & IONIQ 6: Comparisons & Opinions

Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6: Background, Comparisons and Expert Opinions

Interested in an electric car but not sure which one to buy?

We’ll make it easy for you: a 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Ioniq 6.

Of course we’re playing favorites, but you don’t have to take our word for it. These vehicles – new on the scene though they may be – have earned the admiration of drivers and experts alike. Both have already racked up considerable “best-of” awards:

• Ioniq 5:
  • Three World Car Awards in 2022 – Car of the Year, Car Design of the Year, Electric Vehicle of the Year
  • Edmunds’ Top Rated Electric rated SUV for 2023
  • Kelly Blue Book’s Best New Model of the Year and Best Buy of the Year among EVs for 2023
  • MotorTrend 2023 SUV of the Year 
• Ioniq 6:
  • 2023 World Car Awards – Car of the Year, EV of the Year, Design of the Year
  • Car & Driver 2023 EV of the Year
  • Best EV of the Year, Autobest, Austria
  • Best in Class Large Family Car, UK
  • New Car of the Year, Le Guide de l’auto, Canada

Both also offer plenty of amenities and options designed to boost driving enjoyment while reducing your carbon footprint. And both come with credits and extras that can make ownership easier, including:

• Federal and (some) state tax credits
• Complimentary Level 2 home charger
• Charger installation credit up to $600
• Complimentary charging sessions
• $400 college grad program offer
• $500 military program offer

Let’s start with a look at the individual vehicles.

About the Ioniq 5

First introduced to the market in 2021, the Ioniq 5 is a battery-electric compact crossover SUV. It’s the first vehicle to be marketed under Hyundai’s EV-focused Ioniq sub-brand and the first to be developed on the automaker’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).

The Ioniq 5 comes in three trim levels – SE (with a base price of $45,700), SEL ($47,250) and Limited ($53,350). All three have an EPA estimated, all-electric range of just over 300 miles in rear-wheel-drive configuration and about 260 miles in all-wheel-drive.

All three can accommodate an 800-volt DC fast charge that tops up the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 18 minutes. The SEL also offers Highway Driving Assist 2 and wireless device charging while the Limited boasts a vision roof and a premium head-up display with augmented reality.

What the Experts Say

Car & Driver:

• Looks can thrill. One of the best EVs sold today.
• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 won our EV of the Year award for 2022 because it sacrificed nothing to be different. Today, it still wears its cool-hand boxy rectangularity with great pride.
• The Ioniq 5’s 350-kW DC fast-charging capability is the real hero. That’s the kind of charging speed you get from far more luxurious and expensive EVs.

Edmunds:

• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 stands out with its retro-themed styling and the latest in electric vehicle design. It’s also comfortable, practical and generously equipped.
• We’re often asked by shoppers to name the best EV. The answer may vary a bit depending on what your needs are, but if a vehicle is worthy of an Edmunds Top Rated award, it’s a strong indication of widespread appeal. The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was our top pick among electric SUVs, surpassing some truly impressive rivals.

Consumer Reports:

• The Ioniq 5, which is related to the Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6, is one of the most impressive EVs we’ve tested, with punchy acceleration, agile handling, a reasonably comfortable ride, and generous interior room. 

Top Speed:

• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 combines impressive performance, striking design, and innovative features to produce an attractive option for discerning drivers. Its design is specifically engineered to be aesthetically pleasing and enhance its aerodynamic performance. Eco-friendly materials like seats made of sustainably sourced wool and eco-processed leather, provide an environmentally friendly touch. 

About the Ioniq 6

Hyundai designed this all-electric four-door sedan to be the most aerodynamic vehicle in its lineup. As a result, it offers the highest range of any Hyundai EV: an EPA-estimated 361 miles, which could get you from Orlando almost to Big Pine Key. Or Montgomery to Memphis. You get the idea.

Like the Ioniq 5, the 6 comes in SE (MSRP $42,450), SEL ($45,250) and Limited ($50,150) trims. The roomy cabin seats five and the driver gets a power-adjustable heated seat and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

What the Experts Say

Car & Driver:

• A top performer, with fast charging, quick acceleration and a spacious interior.
• Hyundai has established itself as a leader in electric vehicles, and the Ioniq 6 sedan is a torchbearer for the Korean automaker’s sharp design and cutting-edge technology. This stylish EV combines a long driving range with eye-catching looks and lots of features, all at a reasonably attractive price point.

MotorTrend:

• Few 2024 Car of the Year contenders got MotorTrend editors talking like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 did. Even in a field with iconic sports cars and an electric four-door that’s nearly as quick as a Bugatti Veyron, the Ioniq 6 became a competitor with staying power.
• That’s because the electric sedan offers far more than just a striking profile. The Hyundai’s mix of interior tech, quick charging capabilities, and, oh yeah, engaging dynamics make it surprisingly compelling. Then again, the mechanically similar Ioniq 5 was our 2023 SUV of the Year, so maybe we shouldn’t have been so surprised.

Kelley Blue Book:

• We love the modern and high-tech interior of the Hyundai Ioniq 6. Features like dual panoramic displays, Speed Sync ambient lighting, and interactive pixel lights on the steering wheel made us feel like we were driving a car from the future. The design is futuristic without being too weird, and the controls are still ergonomic and user-friendly.
• Favorite Features and Tech:

• Reverse charging – With vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, the Ioniq 6 can be used to power a blender while camping or a fridge full of perishables in a power outage. It’s exclusive to the Limited trim.
• Continuous improvement – The Ioniq 6 is the first Hyundai to offer over-the-air software updates. Like a smartphone, it’s capable of getting better with seamless and ongoing fixes and improvements.

So Which Should You Buy?

The choice depends on your needs, of course, but here are some features to take into consideration.

The 6 sedan is lower, sleeker, and more aerodynamic than the 5, which contributes to its longer range. If you do a lot of distance driving, you might want to lean toward the 6. Other reasons to like the 6 – it has a longer wheelbase and a more futuristic look.

The 5 is more upright and more spacious, with more than 2 inches of additional headroom over the front seats. It also offers more leg room and cargo space – great for hauling gear or going camping.

Need help making your decision? The sales representatives at your Mullinax Hyundai dealer can answer your questions and arrange for a test drive. And don’t forget to ask about what’s next in the Ioniq line, including the Ioniq 7, which Top Speed calls “the coolest full-size SUV,” and the high-performance Ioniq 5 N.