It's fair to say that Hyundai has been highly creative and original with its IONIQ lineup over the past few years. The IONIQ 5 is both a masterpiece of engineering and a carefully crafted work of art. It's a vehicle that defies all logic and has enjoyed tremendous success since its arrival on the market.
There isn't much in the way of new features for the model this year, aside from the fact that the IONIQ 5 now comes equipped with the NACS charging port.
Lineup and Pricing
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 SUV has a starting price of $55,499 before freight and PDI, bringing the total to $58,266 for the long-range Preferred version. The price climbs to $60,266 when all-wheel drive is added. Finally, the N version sits at the top of the lineup with a starting price of $80,966 (2025).
Category and Competition
The electric vehicle segment has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for automakers to stand out. The IONIQ 5 distinguishes itself with its styling and outstanding performance. It's a vehicle that offers a lot within a relatively accessible price range. It's therefore no surprise that it ranks among the most popular electric vehicles in the country today.
Rivals: Chevrolet Blazer EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Honda Prologue, Kia EV5, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Subaru Solterra, Subaru Trailseeker, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ, VinFast VF8, Volkswagen ID.4
Design and Technology
With its angular shapes, pixel-inspired lighting signature, and bold color combinations, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is anything but easy to blend into the crowd—and that's exactly why owners love it. This compact electric SUV from the Korean automaker sparks curiosity and certainly turns heads wherever it goes. In my opinion, the IONIQ 5's design is a complete success, and its strong popularity speaks for itself.
The interior is exactly what you'd expect after seeing the exterior. The first thing that stands out is the large digital display panel that integrates both the instrument cluster and the infotainment system, each shown on a 12.3-inch screen. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is very comfortable and offers a high-quality finish. All the technology you could want in a modern vehicle is available, either standard or optional, such as the head-up display or the premium Bose sound system.
Performance
Three mechanical configurations are available for the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5. It all starts with the long-range rear-wheel-drive version. It features an 84 kWh battery pack, providing enough energy for an average range of 504 kilometres on a full charge. In terms of power, the electric motor produces 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is more than sufficient for a vehicle of this size.
The all-wheel-drive version uses the same battery pack, but adding a motor on the front axle increases total output to 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle is slightly heavier as a result, which has a minor negative impact on range, dropping it to 463 kilometres.
The N version delivers astonishing performance with 601 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. Power temporarily increases to 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque when you activate the N Grin Boost button, allowing the vehicle to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds. The model offers an average range of 356 kilometres, which remains excellent given its performance.
Weak Points
Rear-wheel drive is clearly not ideal for our climate. A broader and more diverse lineup would also be welcome.
Strengths
This is a vehicle that never fails to turn heads. Its value for money is very appealing, and the N version's performance is truly breathtaking.
Signature Element
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has proven that a bold electric vehicle can achieve real success.
Final Thoughts
Hyundai isn't the kind of automaker that follows trends, and that's a good thing, as the brand continues to innovate year after year. It dares—and it almost always succeeds. On paper, the IONIQ 5 should have been anything but popular, yet it resonates strongly with customers. For that, I thank Hyundai, thanks to whom the modern automotive landscape isn't entirely bland and uninspired.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
