Kia EV6 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5

One family, one platform, two cars

May 5, 2022

Coming from the same stable and built on the same foundation, the difference between the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes down to looks, performance and price. Together, the pair bust open the market for EVs, charging into the mid-range sector with features that stand up well to marquee names. If you’ve been on the fence about going electric, one of these purpose-built EVs could prompt you to action.

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 and Kia’s EV6 share a significant amount of DNA under the hood, including the new electric-global modular platform (E-GMP), which pushes the wheels to the edge of the skateboard-style base, maximising passenger space and giving designers a free hand. So, what distinguishes the Korean crossover cousins from each other? As always, the devil is in the details.

Starting from €484

Kia EV6 Standard 2WD

Seats: 5
WLTP Range: 400km
Acceleration: 8.5sec
Top Speed: 185km/h
Boot space: 490L (1300L max)
Frunk: 52L
Smooth and Silent Drive
Fast-Charge Time (Average): kW/18m

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Standard 2WD

Seats: 5
WLTP Range: 400km
Acceleration: 8.5sec
Top Speed: 185km/h
Boot space: 531L (1531 max)
Frunk: 24L
Smooth and Silent Drive
Fast-Charge Time (Average): kW/18m

Battery and performance: Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6?

The latest K-pop CUVs are twins at 2WD entry level, with the 58kWh battery delivering 170PS and 350Nm of power, both going from 0 to 100 in 8.5 seconds. The bigger battery on the AWD doubles those numbers to 306PS on the Hyundai and 325PS on the Kia, with torque at 605Nm for both. 0-100km acceleration drops to 5.4 seconds on EV6, while the Ioniq 5 shaves off another 0.2 seconds.

WLTP range is close, too: at 400km on the lower battery variants, with the long-range editions topping out at 485km for the Ioniq 5 and 510km for the EV6. Kia has an edge at the top end, too, with a game-changing 430kW of power and 740Nm of Torque on the EV6 GT, due in 2022. Hyundai has no corresponding answer, although its limited-edition Project 45 compensates.

The E-GMP base gives the relatives an operating voltage of 800 volts, a level so far reserved for luxury models such as the Porsche Taycan. Ultra-fast charging gets you to 80 per cent in 18 minutes on both cars, just enough to stretch your legs. Both cars also support two-way charging, cranking out 3.6kW to power a decent coffee machine or a 55-inch TV in the bivouac. Here, the Ioniq 5 has a slight edge: a solar panel on the roof replenishes the battery.

Design and tech

Kia reframes perceptions across the new EV6’s four variants, starting with a brand-new racy logo. At rest, the performance saloon crouches lithely atop 19-inch alloy wheels, its tiger face refreshed by a compact front and dynamic sequential lights. Character lines swoosh up the sides to fuse into a wing-type spoiler. Inside, passengers will appreciate the roominess of a 2.9m wheelbase, recycled PET seats and plentiful USB ports.

On the other hand, the award-winning design of Hyundai Ioniq 5 beams retro Pony styling straight into the future. If its sharp angular lines don’t turn heads, the animated game-culture headlights will. At 3.0m, it’s only marginally longer than the Kia EV6, but the minimalist insides offer maximum space with a moveable centre console and eight-way adjustable front seats that recline nearly flat. Plus, there’s wireless charging. The EV6 and the Ioniq 5 share tech features: two infotainment displays (side by side with the Hyundai but curved with the Kia) and an augmented-reality HUD.

Pricing and availability

Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are both available on the market and in terms of price, the cars are close to each other. The choice should ultimately end up on the car that, in terms of design, suits you best.

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