Edmunds electric SUV test: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2026 Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are 2 of the hottest electrical SUVs connected the market. Adding to their appeal, some SUVs were precocious updated. The 2026 Model Y has caller styling, higher-quality interior materials and a smoother thrust quality. Changes to the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 aren’t arsenic dramatic, but you bash get much range, easier-to-use controls and caller ways to charge. Which precocious updated electrical SUV is the amended buy? Edmunds’ experts comparison them to find out.

Range and charging

The 2026 Model Y is presently lone disposable successful the Long Range All-Wheel Drive version. It delivers an EPA-estimated 327 miles of range, which is awesome for a dual-motor electrical SUV. Edmunds tested this mentation connected its independent, standardized EV scope trial and recovered the Tesla matched its EPA estimation successful real-world driving.

The 2025 Ioniq 5’s estimated scope spans from 245 miles successful the basal exemplary to 318 miles successful astir single-motor models, which are rear-wheel-drive. Edmunds tested an Ioniq 5 Limited with dual electrical motors and all-wheel drive. It bushed its EPA estimation of 269 miles by going 282 miles successful Edmunds’ testing.

The Ioniq 5’s caller Tesla-style charging larboard allows it to complaint astatine astir Tesla Supercharger fast-charging stations. The Model Y has entree to immoderate benignant of Tesla charging station. Both tin complaint astatine non-Tesla stations arsenic well. When utilizing a high-powered fast-charging station, the Model Y tin adhd up to 169 miles successful 15 minutes. The Ioniq 5 charges a small quicker, regaining 178 miles successful 15 minutes.

The Tesla offers a spot much maximum scope but charges a small slower, making it a necktie here.

Winner: tie

Interior and tech features

Tesla stuffs a batch of modular tech successful the Model Y, including a ample 15.4-inch halfway touchscreen, a 16-speaker audio system, dual wireless telephone chargers and respective precocious operator aids. You tin besides watercourse movies and play arcade games erstwhile you’re parked. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) strategy is an costly option, but it tin thrust and navigate the Model Y postulation connected metropolis streets and highways arsenic agelong arsenic the operator is paying attraction and is prepared to instrumentality power if needed.

The Ioniq 5’s basal trim comes modular with a 12.3-inch halfway touchscreen and a pleasing fig of precocious operator aids. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is besides standard; neither strategy is disposable connected the Model Y. However, you request to upgrade to a higher trim for the eight-speaker Bose audio strategy and upgraded road driving assistance system.

Both SUVs spot 5 and are spacious and comfortable. They besides thrust smoothly implicit bumps and are composed erstwhile cornering. But Edmunds has recovered it’s the small things that assistance the Ioniq 5 get an borderline here. Its disposable 360-degree camera strategy is much adjuvant than the Tesla’s erstwhile parking, for example, and its controls and features are easier to usage and learn. The Model Y’s touchscreen, which controls astir everything, tin beryllium distracting to usage portion driving.

Winner: Ioniq 5

Utility

The Model Y provides loads of cargo space: 29 cubic feet down the rear seats and a whopping 71.4 cubic feet with the rear spot folded down. The beforehand trunk adds different 4.1 cubes. The Ioniq 5 has little space, but it’s capable for astir folks: 26.3 cubic feet down the rear seats and 58.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. However, its beforehand trunk is lone ample capable for a charging cord.

As for small-item storage, some SUVs supply plentifulness of compartments and sizable doorway pockets. The Ioniq 5 has a movable halfway console that’s useful astatine times.

Winner: Model Y

Pricing and value

The Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive presently starts astatine $50,630, and different models should beryllium offered later. Although not cheap, it’s an fantabulous worth due to the fact that of its extended database of modular tech features, respective modular comfortableness features similar heated and ventilated beforehand seats, and lengthy range.

The Ioniq 5’s basal Standard Range exemplary starts astatine $44,075 but provides lone 245 miles of range. The SE model, which offers 318 miles, is astir $4,000 more. Neither 1 has arsenic galore modular features arsenic the Tesla, but the little terms makes the Hyundai attainable for shoppers with smaller budgets. Both the Model Y and the Ioniq 5 presently suffice for national taxation credits.

Winner: tie

Edmunds says

This examination is simply a draw; some electrical SUVs are fantabulous choices, truthful it comes down to idiosyncratic preference. If you privation a much accepted conveyance that’s easier to use, spell for the Ioniq 5. But if you similar the Model Y’s minimalist plan attack and distinctive tech features, past it’s the EV for you.

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This communicative was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Michael Cantu is simply a contributor astatine Edmunds.