When you think of an electric vehicle, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 may not be top of mind. But it should be. With its impressive charging speeds, roomy and upscale cabin, unique styling, and competitive pricing, this EV crossover continues to set the benchmark for mainstream electric vehicles.
Base Price: $48,975
As Tested: $52,050
Horsepower: 320
Mileage: 108 MPGe city/88 MPGe highway/98 MPGe combined
Since its debut for the 2022 model year, the Ioniq 5 has earned widespread praise for blending distinctive design, performance, and practicality. For 2026, Hyundai simplified the lineup, added a standard Level 1/Level 2 charging cable, expanded the availability of several paint colors, and significantly reduced pricing across the range.
The first thing you notice about the Ioniq 5 is its eye-catching design. It’s a blend of the future and the past, inspired by classic hatchbacks of the 1980s combined with the latest technology.
The 2026 Ioniq 5 comes in six trims: SE Standard Range, SE, SEL, XRT, Limited and N. Starting prices range from $35,000 for the SE Standard Range to $48,975 for the Ioniq 5 Limited AWD. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
The N trim is a high-performance version of the Ioniq 5, which comes standard with AWD and has a starting price of $59,900. It will be reviewed separately.
These prices are lower than the 2025 models. Hyundai reduced pricing by $7,600 to $9,800 on 2026 models, after the $7,500 U.S. federal EV tax credit was eliminated.
The SE Standard Range trim is only available with rear-wheel drive. All the other trims are available with RWD or all-wheel drive.
The range of the 2026 Ioniq 5 is very competitive. Depending on trim and drivetrain, the EPA-estimated range varies from 245 miles to 318 miles per charge.
Charging times are very quick, putting the Ioniq 5 among segment leaders. Built on Hyundai’s 800-volt E-GMP architecture, it supports some of the fastest DC charging speeds available in a mainstream EV. Owners can get substantial range in less than 30 minutes at compatible fast chargers. Hyundai has also adopted the North American Charging Standard (NACS), improving access to charging infrastructure, including Tesla’s network.
The SE Standard Range trim comes with a 63-kWh battery with a single rear-mounted electric motor. Total output is 168 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This trim has a range of 245 miles.
The SE, SEL, XRT and Limited trims get a bigger 84-kWh battery with either a single rear motor for rear-wheel drive models, or two motors, one in front and one in back, for trims with AWD. The RWD models have a total output of 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AWD models make 320 horses and 446 pound-feet.
Handling is a strong suit. Even the standard models have peppy acceleration, while the AWD models have instant torque that makes merging and passing effortless. Power delivery is super smooth. The Ioniq 5 also feels very balanced and composed through corners, as the vehicle’s low-mounted battery helps create a stable center of gravity. The ride quality is smooth and refined in all models, but especially the XRT. Its suspension tuning improves ride comfort on rough roads and gravel surfaces.
Visibility is hampered to the rear due to the thick back pillars.
The cabin feels more spacious and airy than your typical compact EV crossover. The long wheelbase makes for generous legroom for passengers in both rows, and the flat floor in the second row provides more room for passengers there to stretch their legs.
Two ginormous 12.3-inch screens dominate the dash. One is the digital instrument display and the other is the infotainment touchscreen. This set-up looks impressive and is also user-friendly with logically-arranged menus and quick response times. Unlike some automakers that have fewer and fewer physical controls, Hyundai continues to keep them for commonly-used functions such as climate, audio and vehicle settings. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
Cargo capacity is about average for a compact EV SUV, but it’s very versatile. There are 26.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, and 58.5 cubes with the second row folded. There’s an under-floor storage area for smaller items. The second row slides and split-folds, providing flexibility in hauling passengers and cargo. There’s also a small frunk (front trunk) which is a handy place to keep the charging cable. A hands-free power liftgate is available.
Here are the trims of the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5:
SE Standard Range – MSRP $35,000. This trim has a 63-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, one electric motor, rear-wheel drive, 168 horsepower and a range of 245 miles.
- 19-inch wheels
- Proximity keyless entry
- Push-button start
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Cloth upholstery
- Heated front seats
- Power-adjustable driver’s seat
- 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Navigation
- Six-speaker audio system
- HD Radio
- Satellite radio
- Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Bluetooth
- Five USB ports
- Wi-Fi hot spot
- NACS-to-CCS adapter for charging
SE – MSRP $37,500 for an 84-kWh battery, single motor, rear-wheel drive, 225 horsepower and a range of 318 miles. $41,000 for a dual-motor set-up, all-wheel drive, 320 horses and a range of 290 miles. This trim has the same features as the SE Standard Range but has significantly more range.
- Larger 84-kWh battery
- Heat pump on AWD models
SEL – MSRP $39,800 RWD. $43,300 AWD. This trim adds more luxury and convenience features and is arguably the sweet spot in the lineup with its reasonable pricing.
- Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium
- H-Tex synthetic leather seating
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Heated rear seats
- Rear climate control vents
- Wireless charging pad
- Power liftgate
XRT – MSRP $46,275 AWD. $46,725 for AWD and a tow hitch. This trim is the adventure-oriented model and is suitable for light off-roading and dirt roads.
- More rugged appearance
- Standard AWD
- Extra inch of ground clearance
- All-terrain tires
- 18-inch wheels
- Tow hitch availability for $450
- Eight-speaker Bose audio system
- Vehicle-to-load capability
Limited – MSRP $45,075 RWD. $48,975 AWD. This is the flagship trim, adding premium materials, more tech, and luxury conveniences. But it comes at a significantly higher price point.
- Head-up display
- Surround-view camera system
- Digital rearview mirror
- Heated steering wheel
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated rear seats
- Power-extendable leg rest
- Panoramic glass roof
- Bose audio system
- Rear sunshades
- Ambient interior lighting
- 20-inch wheels on AWD models
- Rain-sending windshield wipers
Standard driver assistance technologies include:
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Highway Driving Assist 1 (Hyundai’s adaptive cruise control with lane-centering and stop-and-go assist)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Speed limit recognition
- Front and rear cross-traffic alert
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Driver-attention monitoring
- Safe exit assist (alerts passengers exiting the vehicle of other vehicles approaching from behind)
- Rear seat alert
Available driver assistance technologies include:
- Surround-view camera system
- Head-up display
- Rear-camera mirror
- Blind-spot camera system
- Highway Driving Assist 2 (Hyundai’s adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, stop-and-go and lane-change assist)
- Evasive-steering assist (helps steer the vehicle to avoid a crash)
- Side parking sensors
- Remote Smart Parking Assist (can move the vehicle in or out of a parking spot, controlled with the key fob)
- Hands-free park assist
The good:
Available in several configurations
Eye-catching looks
Peppy handling, composed ride
Good driving range
Excellent fast-charging capability
Spacious, upscale cabin
Long list of standard and available features
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Strong value with price reductions for 2026
The not-so-good:
Higher trims get spendy
Pricing info:
My 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD test vehicle starts at $48,975. Ecotronic Gray Matte paint is $1,000. Carpeted floor mats are $240. Vehicle load adapter is $235. The destination fee is $1,600, bringing the grand total to $52,050.
Bottom line:
In an increasingly crowded EV segment, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 stands out with its retro-futuristic styling, balanced driving dynamics, spacious and upscale cabin, impressive range, and quick charging times. It also offers excellent value for the money with the lower sticker prices for 2026. Hyundai has made an already excellent EV even better, and the Ioniq 5 is definitely worth consideration by newbies and repeat EV buyers.
