The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has quickly become one of the most popular electric SUVs on the market and there are plenty of reasons for it. However, even if the Ioniq 5 is a top-notch vehicle that can compete with luxury SUVs as well as more affordable options, it is also true that there are still other electric SUVs out there that may be better suited for specific needs. The Ioniq 5 is excellent overall, but many electric SUVs outperform it in some particular aspects, so it's worth paying attention to those alternatives depending on your personal preferences. The SUV market is becoming increasingly competitive, with new models being released each year, and the best electric SUVs for 2022 and 2023 are constantly changing, although some models clearly stand out more than others.
10 Audi Q4 e-Tron
Despite being a premium German brand, the starting price of the Q4 e-tron is not significantly higher than the Hyundai, starting at $49,800, against the $41,450 of the Ioniq 5. While the Q4 e-tron may not match the Ioniq 5 in terms of range, with a maximum of 265 Miles and 236 Miles for AWD (the Ioniq starts at 220, but can reach 303 Miles for the top model), it has the advantage of offering eight different trim levels to choose from. Where Audi really shines, however, is in its signature interior and exterior design, which exudes luxury and modernity. The Q4 e-tron's interior feels sleek, with high-quality materials, while its exterior is bold and imposing. This is in contrast to the Ioniq 5's somewhat dated interior design and more conventional exterior styling.
9 Toyota bZ4X
The Toyota bZ4X price starts at $42,000, which is $550 more than the Ioniq 5. In terms of range, the Toyota has a 63.4-kWh battery pack in the single-motor version and a 65.5-kWh pack in the dual-motor model. The ranges for the FWD, single-motor models are 242 and 252 Miles (Limited and XLE respectively), while the all-wheel-drive version comes in at 222 or 228 Miles. On the other hand, the Ioniq 5 comes with the standard 58.0-kWh battery pack which is estimated to provide 220 Miles of range, but it also can achieve 266 Miles to 303 Miles with the 77.4-kWh pack. While they are not exactly the same, the difference is relative. Additionally, the Toyota has better fuel economy for both AWD models (104 MPGe compared to 98) and RWD models (119 MPGe compared to 110).
8 Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV can be considered a viable alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a slightly lower starting price of $39,550. Although its pure-electric versions are not as powerful as its hybrid ones, it is still popular in the market. The Niro EV boasts a longer driving range of 253 Miles compared to the Ioniq 5's 220 miles, and it comes with 500 kWh of charging credits on the Electrify America network, which can provide a free driving range of about 1,750 to 2,000 Miles. However, the Niro EV is not as quick as the Ioniq 5, with an estimated 0 to 60 MPH time of 7.8 seconds, while the Ioniq 5 reaches 60 MPH in 7.4 seconds for the base models and 4.5 for the top models.
7 Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya presents a worthy alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, as both vehicles share many similarities. The Ariya starts at $43,190, which is slightly higher than the Ioniq 5's starting price of $41,450. However, the Ariya surpasses the Ioniq 5 in terms of Horsepower, with the best models reaching up to 389 horsepower compared to the Ioniq's 320 horsepower in its top version. With regard to range, the Ariya reaches up to 304 Miles, only one mile more than the Ioniq (although both models' base versions fall below the 300-mile range). The exterior design of both vehicles also shares many similarities. However, Nissan offers nine trim levels for the Ariya, providing more options for customers to choose from compared to the Ioniq's three trims.
6 Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is another excellent alternative to consider when looking for a car similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Although the Kia is a bit more expensive, starting at $48,700, it offers several advantages over the Ioniq 5. For instance, the Kia EV6 has a slightly better range of 310 Miles, compared to the 303 Miles of the best Ioniq 5. The two cars have a similar charging time, taking about 18 minutes to go from 10% to 80% battery capacity. Furthermore, the Kia offers five trim levels, while the Hyundai only has three, as stated before. The Kia EV6 also packs quite a punch with the most powerful models reaching 576 Horsepower, which is considerably more than the 320 Horsepower of the best Ioniq 5 models.
5 Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is another alternative to consider, although it is more expensive than the Hyundai Ioniq 5. With a starting price of $47,490, the Model Y is not the most affordable option in the market, but it may be worth it if you want top-notch features and performance. While the base Model Y falls short of the best Ioniq 5 in terms of range (279 Miles vs 303 Miles), the Long Range model offers an impressive range of 330 Miles, and the Performance version matches the Ioniq 5 at 303 Miles. The Model Y also surpasses the Ioniq 5 in several other areas, including fuel economy, which stands at an impressive 123 MPGe. Of course, it is important to note that these enhanced features come at a higher price point.
4 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The car is about to be killed, but we can't rule it out. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is a great alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, especially if you prioritize affordability. With a starting price of just $28,795, it is a significantly cheaper option compared to the Ioniq 5. Additionally, the Bolt EUV is eligible for the federal tax credit, making it even more attractive. Indeed, the Bolt EUV doesn’t match the Ioniq 5 in terms of performance, but it still holds its own with a range of 247 Miles, 200 Horsepower, and an acceleration time of 0 to 60 MPH in 6.8 seconds. This last figure is actually better than the base Ioniq 5 model, which requires 7.4 seconds to reach 60 MPH. In any case, the fact that the Ioniq 5 can legitimately compete in this segment demonstrates its great versatility.
3 Volvo XC40 Recharge
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is an ultra-safe alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. As a well-known brand for building safe cars, Volvo doesn't disappoint with the XC40 Recharge. While there are no specific safety ratings for the XC40 Recharge, the non-electric version has a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and only drops to 4 stars for the rollover test. In comparison, the Ioniq 5 has a 5-star rating in general but drops to 4 stars for frontal crashes. Safety is a top priority for Volvo, so it's unlikely that Hyundai can surpass them in this aspect. With 402 horsepower, the XC40 Recharge outperforms the Ioniq 5's maximum of 320 horsepower. While the XC40 Recharge is pricier at $53,550, it's worth noting that this is one of the best luxury electric SUVs and its design justifies the price difference.
2 Volkswagen ID.4
If affordability is a top priority, the Volkswagen ID.4 is a great alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a starting price of $38,995. And, to sweeten the deal, the ID.4 is eligible for a federal tax credit of $7,500, which makes it even more affordable. When it comes to efficiency, the ID.4 also holds its own: the AWD version of the Ioniq 5 has a rating of 98 MPGe, while the ID.4 has a rating of 107 MPGe. While the Ioniq 5 RWD is slightly more efficient with a rating of 110 MPGe, the difference is negligible. Additionally, the ID.4 boasts a more modern interior design compared to the Ioniq 5. In other words, the overall style of the ID.4 is more tech-forward and futuristic.
1 Ford Mustang Mach-E
If you are looking for an electric SUV that delivers more power than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Mustang Mach-E is a great alternative. While the starting price of the Mach-E is slightly higher than the Ioniq 5, at $42,995, it's important to note that the Mach-E is eligible for a federal tax credit of $3,750, which the Ioniq 5 is not. This means that the Mach-E may actually end up being cheaper in the long run. Additionally, even the base models of the Mach-E come with a minimum of 266 Horsepower, which is more than the Ioniq 5's 225 Horsepower. If we look at the higher-end models, the gap widens even further: the Mach-E can reach up to 480 Horsepower, while the Ioniq 5 only goes up to 320 Horsepower.