So, you have decided you want an electric car, but none of the current EVs out there grab your attention or are simply priced out of your budget? If that's the case, then you may want to look at the Hyundai Ioniq 5, as it's a very different kind of electric car.
The Ioniq 5 is an EV crossover that is anything but mainstream. Its quirky retro-themed styling makes it look like nothing else on the road. While it is about the size of a Hyundai Tucson, in my eyes, it looks more like a sleek hatchback than an SUV. And with its versatile interior and plenty of practicality, its starting price of under $40,000 makes it hard to beat.
Out since 2022, the Ioniq 5 is small in size but big in technology. And it looks so cool with its blocky sculpting, stubby proportions, and squared-off complexion. Appearing as if it were plucked from the 1980’s, there are certain futuristic styling cues like the motion lines around the wheel arches and the use of pixel shapes all over. In a sea of RAV4s and CR-Vs, the Ioniq 5 is a breath of fresh air.
Enter the Ioniq 5 and you are greeted with an interior that feels much larger than it is. The dashboard is pushed far forward, leaving tons of legroom available for the front passengers, and the lack of a full-length center console provides an open feeling across the front row. A 12.3-inch touchscreen controls most of the features, but there are also physical buttons that can be used to control the HVAC and other features. The infotainment system is surprisingly well organized and is simple to use. There are plenty of USB-C charging ports as well as a phone charging pad, so no device should go uncharged. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all Ioniq 5s.
The Ioniq 5 is available with rear or all-wheel drive and makes between 168 and 320 horsepower. Range varies between 245 miles and 318 miles depending on the trim level. The base Ioniq 5 is the SE Standard Range which comes in rear-wheel drive only and uses a single motor to make 168 horses and a range of 245 miles. The SE, SEL, XRT and Limited are available in rear or all-wheel drive. When equipped with rear-wheel drive, they make 225 horses and can travel 318 miles on a full charge. The all-wheel drive version adds a second motor to the front wheels for a combined power output of 320 horsepower, but range is reduced to 290 miles.
After adding a couple of new trim levels last year (the XRT and 5 N), changes for 2026 are minor, but one in particular, is significant. Minor changes include a charging cable compatible with level 1 and level 2 charging is now included as standard equipment. And new colors have been added to the exterior color palette. But the big news is that prices for the Ioniq 5 have been slashed across the board. Last year, the Ioniq 5 started at $44,200 - this year, that price drops to $36,600. The pricest trim level, the XRT, last year, would have set you back $57,100, while this year, it's more than $9,000 cheaper, starting at $47,875.
The tester is an XRT, which injects an outdoorsy vibe into the Ioniq 5. It adds unique wheels and tires, more ground clearance and front tow hooks to the 5. The tester has an MSRP of $48,115.
I have always felt that EVs are not very exciting cars to drive, but the Ioniq 5 is an exception. It's confident handling, spot-on steering and composed ride, make it a surprisingly fun car to drive. And like most EVs, it's fast, with its smooth, quiet and very linear powerband. In XRT trim, then Ioniq 5 can hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
With its cool looks and fun-to-drive attitude, it’s hard to find fault with the Ioniq 5. But there are a few little grips worth mentioning. The column-mounted gear selector - which is easy to use, but depending on the position of the steering wheel, can be difficult to see what gear you’re selecting as the steering wheel spoke is often in the way. And of course, the typical charging woes apply if you don't have a home charger. Plugging into a 120V household outlet (Level 1 charging) is painfully slow, gaining only about 10 miles of charge overnight - making a Level 2 home charger a must-have for Ioniq 5 owners. But on the bright side, DC fast charging, which typically is used in high-end EVs, is standard on all Ioniq 5s, to provide super-quick charging speeds when connected to a Level 3 Charger.
Since its debut a few years ago, the Ioniq 5 has won all kinds of awards, including EV of the Year. Looking at it and driving it, it's easy to see why. And now, with a lower price of admission, there is even more reason to look at Hyundai's Ionic 5.