Test Drive: Kia EV6 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5

With the Hyundai and Kia essentially mirroring each other’s specs, it’s no surprise they drive similarly in the real world.

The Ioniq 5 is weirdly the more conventional of the two Koreans. Styled like a cyberpunk PT Cruiser, the Ioniq 5’s design harkens back to Hyundai’s Italian-penned hatchbacks of the ’80s, with a healthy dose of 64-bit pixelization in its head- and taillight graphics. To our eye, the Hyundai resembles a 9/8ths-scale hatchback more than a sport-utility. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Whereas the Hyundai looks backward for its design inspiration, the Kia has its gaze forward. It’s sporty, muscular, and purposeful. Our sole criticism is that the EV6’s nose isn’t quite as well resolved as its distinctive rear end; we suspect lengthening its dash-to-axle ratio and stretching its wheelbase from 114.1 inches to match the Hyundai’s 118.1-inch span would go a long way (no pun intended) toward refining its design. Despite their drastically different wrappers, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are textbook examples of platform-sharing done right.

Passing power won’t be a problem for any dual-motor EV6 or Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 5 is slightly quicker than the Kia, zipping from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds versus 4.5 for the EV6.

Similarly, the EV6 and Ioniq 5 have good brake setups. Both offer up four levels of adjustability via steering-wheel paddles, ranging from no regen to max regen in “iPedal” mode, allowing for one-pedal driving. We found ourselves bouncing back and forth between the maximum and Level 3 settings, the latter of which felt like engine braking after downshifting in an internal combustion-powered car.

There are notable differences in ride and handling between the EV6 and Ioniq 5. The Kia’s ride is the sportier of the two, and it’s tuned such that it perfectly walks the line between too firm and too soft. The Hyundai has a softer edge; it tends to bobble over imperfections that the EV6 just shrugs off.

The biggest differences between the two cars are suspension tune, tires, and range. The blocky Ioniq 5 Limited AWD can travel 256 miles on a charge, while the sleeker EV6 GT-Line AWD nets 274 miles. It’s worth mentioning that in their most efficient forms (large battery, rear-drive), the Hyundai can travel 303 miles on a charge and the Kia 310. Follow Spotlife Asia for the latest news and updates.

One of the biggest draws of both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 is their Level 3 DC fast-charge capability. Rated for 800-volt charging, the battery packs of both Koreans are capable of double the charging rates of many of today’s EVs; 800-volt charging allows peak rates of around 350 kW, while more common 400-volt systems are generally limited to 150 kW. That means the Hyundai and Kia, both limited to a 235-kW peak rate (likely to preserve battery life), can charge quicker and more efficiently than comparable vehicles like the Mustang Mach E (limited to 150 kW) and Model Y (limited to 210 kW). What that means is less time at the charger.

The Hyundai favors an Apple-like design ethos. The dash features a head-up display (HUD), dual 12.3-inch displays framed in white, a black logo-less two-spoke steering wheel, blue-backed black buttons, and silver accents. The Kia features a two-spoke steering wheel, a HUD, and twin 12.3-inch displays on its dash.

he EV6 and Ioniq 5 are priced competitively with each other. Base price against base price, the EV6 is currently cheaper at $42,115 for a standard-battery rear-drive EV6 Light. The cheapest Ioniq 5 is currently the SE at $44,895, which comes with more features, the larger battery, and a more powerful rear motor. The equivalent Kia, the EV6 Wind, starts at $48,215, making it a bit pricier.

When it comes to picking a winner from these two showstoppers, it comes down to the details. Both look absolutely stellar going down the road, and they offer road-trip-ready range and fast-charge performance. The Kia can go slightly farther on its electrons, but the Hyundai is more affordable. The Hyundai doesn’t ride quite as well as the Kia, but it handles better. The Kia has a driver-focused cabin, but some of the controls are just plain annoying and hard to both see and use.

1st Place: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD

Pros: Stellar to look at, great to drive, immensely practical.
Cons: Doesn’t ride quite as well as the Kia, bound to eventually be everywhere.

Verdict: Visually stunning and excellent to drive, the Ioniq 5 is the future of mainstream electric driving.

2nd Place: 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD

Pros: Added range is a nice plus, who doesn’t love a station wagon?
Cons: Slight operation annoyances, pricier than the Hyundai.

Verdict: An attractive, nice-riding, and distinctive EV with just a few foibles keeping it from the crown.