Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 6: Which Is Right for You?

The electric vehicle (EV) market has grown dramatically in the last decade, exceeding $10 million in sales in 2022. Popularity continues to accelerate. While electric vehicles accounted for about four percent of total car sales in 2020, that amount had grown to 14 percent in 2022.

This is undoubtedly due to the increasing variety of EV types, such as the Hyundai Ioniq. There is now a wide range of available features to fit almost any budget.

If you are considering an EV, keep reading. This article will break down the differences between the Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 6. It will help you determine which is right for your driving needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Hyundai Ioniq Basics

Electric vehicles have been around much longer than you probably realize. In fact, an electric motorized carriage was built in the 1830s, and different types of electric-powered carriages and other vehicles became available in the following decades.

Electric cars were around (and relatively common) when the Ford Model T was introduced. They were, however, about 10 times as costly, which contributed to their decline. Along with price, range, and recharging have always been barriers to EV proliferation.

Innovations in the past several decades have changed that. Now, EV prices and driving distances are on par with most other types of cars.

Hyundai began production of the Ioniq in 2016, with 2017 being the first model year. Other than the Kona, it is the manufacturer's only available EV line.

Since that time, it has garnered numerous accolades. This year, the Ioniq 6 won Car and Driver's "Electric Vehicle of the Year" award.

Hyundai has made the Ioniq in fully electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. They halted production of the hybrid version in 2022.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 6

While the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 share many of the same features, they are very different vehicles. Body design is the most obvious difference, but there are others to consider. Here is a breakdown of features for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 6.

Body

The Ioniq 5 and 6 have very distinct designs. The Ioniq 5 sits upright with a spacious cabin. It has about two more inches of headroom than the Ioniq 6.

The front seats recline completely, so even the driver can get a rest while parked. It has a sliding middle console and much more elbow room throughout.

The Ioniq 5 has more than 27 cubic feet of car (twice that of the Ioniq 6), which you can more than double to over 59 cubic feet by lowering the back seats.

The Ioniq 6 has a sleeker, more aerodynamic design. (This actually does contribute to its slight advantage in the fuel efficiency category.) It looks and rides much more like a sedan.

The Ioniq 6 has features like hidden vents and metallic bezels on the screens, which give it a modern feel. It also has a full middle console. It also has a bit more legroom than the Ioniq 5, which you might expect from a sedan design.

The Ioniq 5 offers nine different exterior color options. The Ioniq 6 comes in 12.

Power and Fuel Efficiency

Both the Ioniq 5 and 6 have Hyundai's E-GMP platform, which stands for "Electric Global Modular Platform. This helps produce a solid balance of power and fuel efficiency.

In the all-wheel-drive mode, the Ioniq 5 and 6 both put out about 320 horsepower. They can both reach 62 miles per hour in just over 5 seconds. You can expect the Ioniq 6 to ride a bit smoother and handle a little better than the 5 on the road, but the difference may be negligible.

Both vehicles have an impressive travel range, but there are some differences. The highest range for an Ioniq 5 model is about 303 miles. Whereas you can get upwards of 361 miles out of the Ioniq 6.

All-wheel-drive versions will drop the range a bit in both Hyundai models. For instance, the Ioniq 5 four-wheel drive gets about 266 miles. The range of the Ioniq 6 all-wheel-drive is about 316 miles. 

Features

Both the Ioniq 5 and 6 come packed with innovative features. Both have a pair of 12.3-inch infotainment dashboard screens.

The system is intuitive to navigate, including discernible buttons and commands. It also comes with voice-command options for controls.

Both the Ioniq 5 and 6 have myriad safety features, including a 360-degree camera with blind-spot detection in some trim levels. They have remote parking and highway driving assists.

Both vehicles come with a seven-speaker Bose sound system. One key difference is that the Ioniq 6 comes with USB-C ports in the front console, while the Ioniq 5 has standard USB plugs.

Trim Levels

Both the Ioniq 5 and 6 come in four different trim levels. As the name suggests, the SE Standard Range has the lowest travel capacity of them. You will get only 220 miles of range with the Ioniq 5 and about 240 miles with the 6.

The regular SE ups the mileage to the 300+ range (again, a little lower for all-wheel-drive versions). Both the SE and SE Standard Range models come with ultra-fast charging. They also have 18-inch alloy wheels.

The SEL adds features like wireless device charging, hands-free liftgate, and highway driving assist. The Limited is the highest trim level.

It gives you remote parking assist and blind-spot monitoring. The Ioniq 5 Limited also comes with a vision roof.

Price

The prices of the Ioniq 5 and 6 are comparable. The 5 runs between $50,000 and $55,000, depending on trim levels. The Ioniq 6 is slightly cheaper--you can find it for under $50,000--but some trim levels can put it into the mid-$50,000.

Keep in mind that both models are eligible for federal tax credits related to electric vehicles. These are currently $7,500 for new vehicles.

Learn More About the Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 6

Now that you understand the differences between the Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 6, you can determine which is right for you. Both offer outstanding fuel efficiency, range, comfort, and features, with distinct driving styles and aesthetics.

Hyundai of San Bruno has been in the car-selling business for over 40 years. We have one of the largest selections of new, used, and certified pre-owned cars, including many different types of Hyundais, in San Mateo County. Take a look at Hyundai options in our online inventory, or reach out to us today to schedule a test drive.