Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai revealed the Ioniq 5 EV in 2021 and noted that it will be followed up by the Ioniq 6, which was released for sale in March 2023, and the Ioniq 7, which is yet to come. Going in chronological order, the automaker has now taken the wraps off the latest EV from its Ioniq sub-brand called the Ioniq 6. It is essentially the sedan version of the Ioniq 5 and is aimed at the Tesla Model 3. It shares a lot of components with the Ioniq 5, with some additions that make the car more of a sedan than a crossover. The automaker has been showcasing its latest EV to get the public all hyped up before the company started putting it on the market for sale. Now that it has arrived, the details of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 are more transparent, so a detailed comparison can be conducted between the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 6. So, with that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 and how it compares to the Ioniq 5.

Updated on June 18, 2023: Since this comparison was first published, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has been released on the market for sale. This makes it much easier to conduct an accurate comparison, so we have decided to update this one with the most current information instead of writing an entirely new piece.

Related: Here’s What Makes The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Better Than The Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 6 Is The Sedan Version Of The Ioniq 5

Rear three-quarters shot of the Hyundai Ioniq 6

As stated earlier, the Ioniq 6 is essentially the sedan version of its boxy crossover brethren, the Ioniq 5. It is inspired by the Prophecy concept and borrows a lot of design cues from there. While the Ioniq 5, with its boxy stature, features a unique retro-futuristic design, the Ioniq 6 looks a little more modern and comes with a slippery, boat-tail-like shape. There is no way you can confuse both models. Although it seems pretty different from the Ioniq 5, it retains the signature element – pixelated details in the headlights and taillights.

The Ioniq 6 Looks More Futuristic, Unlike The Neo-Retro Ioniq 5

Google Ads

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 impressive side profile as it shines in parked splendor

The Ioniq 6 achieved this courtesy of elements like the low nose, active air flaps at the front, the wheel gap reducers, and slim digital side mirrors that will be offered as optional. Some countries still haven’t legalized them, so this won’t be available in all the markets. The elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper are the other things that aid the stunning aerodynamic efficiency. There is also a full cover underneath the body, optimized deflectors, and a reduced wheel-arch gap.

The Ioniq 6 Is Surprisingly Longer Than The Ioniq 5

A front three-quarter shot of a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 at night

The Ioniq 6 will be offered with either 18- or 20-inch wheels, which is relatively common on most midsized sedans today. In terms of dimensions, the Ioniq 5 measures 182.5 inches in length, 74.4 inches in width, and 63.2 inches in height. The wheelbase measures 118.1 inches, which is quite long vis-à-vis its length. In comparison, the Ioniq 6 is 191.1 inches long, 74 inches wide, 58.9 inches tall, and comes with a 116.1-inch long wheelbase. In basic terminology, that means that the Ioniq 6 sedan is longer than the Ioniq 5 SUV, which is a little surprising when you think about the purpose of having an SUV, even though the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a crossover.

Related: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Just Beat Tesla At Its Own Game

More Exterior Paint Choices On The Ioniq 6

Front 3/4 shot of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 6 will be offered in 12 exterior shades:

– Gravity Gold Matte

– Abyss Black Pearl

– Serenity White Pearl

– Curated Silver Metallic

– Nocturne Gray Metallic

– Nocturne Gray Matte

– Transmission Blue Pearl

– Biophilic Blue Pearl

– Ultimate Red Metallic

– Digital Green Pearl

– Digital Green Matte

– Byte Blue

The Ioniq 5, on the other hand, is offered in nine exterior shades:

– Gravity Gold Matte

– Shooting-Star Gray Matte

– Digital Teal-Green Pearl

– Lucid Blue Pearl

– Atlas White

– Cyber Gray Metallic

– Phantom Black Pearl

– Galactic Gray Metallic

– Mystic Olive-Green Pearl

Both The Cabins Are A Pleasant Place To Be In

Is that a regular steering wheel I see? Madness!

Both of them make use of a good amount of sustainable and environment-friendly material. On the Ioniq 5, surfaces like seats, headliners, door trim, floor, and armrests are manufactured using eco-friendly, sustainably-sourced materials such as recycled PET bottles, plant-based yarns, natural wool yarns, and so on. It is pretty much the same on the Ioniq 6 as well, but with the addition of recycled fishing net carpet. The Ioniq 6 follows an ‘Ethical Uniqueness’ theme and can be had with the following interior combinations: Dark Gray with Light Gray, Dark Olive Green with Light Gray, Black with Pale Brown, and Black. The Ioniq 5 follows a ‘Living Space’ theme and is offered with a choice of three interior combinations: Obsidian Black and Dark Pebble Gray/Dove Gray, Dark Teal/Dove Gray, Terra Brown/Mud Gray, Tech-Heavy Interior On Both Siblings

2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 with blue light accents

Just like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 also features two 12-inch screens on the center console, one that serves as a digital instrument cluster and the other as an infotainment system. Both support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. An eight-speaker Bose audio system is offered on both models. A digital key can be added to Droid or Apple devices and can even be shared with people you trust. They both have voice recognition software that can be programmed in, and they have the capability to use wireless charging for any type of mobile device.

The Ioniq 6 Is A Lot More Aerodynamic

A rear three-quarter shot of 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 at night

This deserves special mention because the Ioniq 6 boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.21, much better than the Ioniq 5’s rating of 0.288. This makes it one of the most aerodynamic cars ever built. The Mercedes EQS is the world’s most aerodynamic car at the moment, with a drag coefficient of 0.20. The Lightyear 0 might beat this when it comes out, boasting a rating of 0.19. The Lucid Air and the Tesla Model S are the other production cars occupying the list here.

Related: Here’s What Makes The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Better Than The Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 6 Is Much More Efficient

A front three-quarter shot of a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Both the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 6 are based on the same E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) architecture. The Ioniq 6 has two different battery setups – 53 kWh and 77.4 kWh. In comparison, the Ioniq 5’s battery capacities are 58 kWh and 72.6 kWh. However, due to better aerodynamics and other engineering tweaks (next-gen semiconductors in the inverter, reworked motors with hairpin windings, and a re-optimized control strategy when switching between single-motor and dual-motor operation in the AWD model), the Ioniq 6 is a lot more efficient than the Ioniq 5.

The Ioniq 6 Offers Better Range

Rear view of a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 parked on a driveway

Hyundai has advertised a maximum range of 361 miles (581 km) as per the EPA ratings, whereas it was 303 miles for the Ioniq 5. On the other end of the spectrum, the Ioniq 5’s least range offering is 220 miles. The Ioniq 6 could also be around the same because even though it is better in aerodynamics, it boasts a smaller battery, which nullifies the advantage.

The Ioniq 6 Is Slightly More Powerful

An action shot of a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 driving on the road

The Ioniq 6 has two powertrain options – single-motor and dual-motor setups. The automaker offers either a 53 kWh or a 77.4 kWh battery pack on the rear-wheel drive model, with the larger battery being the only choice for the all-wheel drive version. It will churn out 321 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque combined. These are the power outputs when you opt for the bigger 77.4 kWh battery pack, which means this is the best that the Ioniq 6 will have to offer.

Related: 10 Solid Alternatives To The Hyundai Ioniq 5

Both Are Equally Quick

An action shot of a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 driving

The Ioniq 6 won’t be a slouch by any means, taking just 5.1 seconds to 60 mph from rest in its best avatar. This is identical to the Ioniq 5, which means we again have a baseline for the 0-60 mph times in other combinations, which are yet to be announced for the sedan. Here’s how the Ioniq 5 does in all the setups:

– Single-motor, 58 kWh battery pack – 8.5 seconds

– Dual-motor, 58 kWh battery pack – 6.1 seconds

– Single-motor, 72.6 kWh battery pack – 7.4 seconds

– Dual-motor, 72.6 kWh battery pack – 5.1 seconds

Vehicle-to-load Technology Offered On Both

A 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV driving on the road. 

The Ioniq 5 takes pride in its ‘Ultimate Camping’ capabilities, so it is no surprise that the Ioniq 6 also does the same. Both models come with Vehicle-to-load Technology. A 220V socket is placed behind the rear seats, which can be used to power not just small electric appliances, but also bigger equipment like a treadmill, an outdoor sound system, and even an oven. The Ioniq 5 functions as a general power supply (110/220V) and can dish out 3.6 kW of juice, and you can also expect the same from the Ioniq 6.

The Ioniq 6 Features A Better Driver-Assistance Suite

Three-quarter front view of a silver 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 

The Ioniq 6 will be offered with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems that include:

– Highway Driving Assist 2

– Smart Cruiser Control

– Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

– Junction Crossing

– Lane-Changing Oncoming

– Lane-Changing Side along with Evasive Steering Assist

– Intelligent Speed Limit Assist

– High Beam Assist

– Driver Attention Warning

– Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

– Blind-Spot View

– Safe Exit Warning

– Remote Smart Parking Assist 2

– Surround View Monitor

– Forward/Side/Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist

– Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

On the other hand, the Ioniq 5 comes with features like:

– Augmented Reality Head-Up Display

– Surround View Monitor

– Highway Driving Assist 2

– Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist

– Intelligent Speed Limit Assist

– High Beam Assist

– Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

– Blind-Spot View Monitor

– Driver Attention Warning

– Safe Exit Assist

– Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

– Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist

Related: Driven: 10 Things You Need To Know About The Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Ioniq 6 Will Be Marginally More Expensive In Some Trims

A top-view shot of a 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 6 are priced somewhat similarly across the range. Both the models come with four trims each, and here’s how they are priced:

Unlike Chevy and Tesla, Hyundai EVs are still eligible for the federal tax credit of up to $7,500.

High-Performance N Version Has Been Announced Only On The Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and i20 N WRC driving in the snow

There is no doubt that you love to drive a car that has little power when you push down on the accelerator. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 will have the numbers needed to ensure you can get up to speed and switch lanes whenever required, but that will not be enough for some. Unfortunately, for now, the upgraded high-performing version of the Ioniq will only be available on the Ioniq 5 starting in 2024. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N will have more powerful electric motors that will push out a combined horsepower of up to 600 hp and will have an estimated starting price tag of around $63,000.