5 Reasons Why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is Better than the Tesla Model Y

Gone are the days when Tesla was the only carmaker taking battery power seriously. Now, most other mainstream automotive brands are getting involved, trying to grab a slice of the ever-growing EV pie. Indeed, most major brands have already committed to going fully electric in the not-too-distant future. And the best part is, you won’t be forced to choose between a Toyota Prius hybrid and a Nissan LEAF anymore; there is a long line of options available. Luxury, performance, or economy, there is something for everyone—and it’s only the beginning!

A newly-launched EV that has immensely impressed is the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It is a four-door electric crossover built on the Korean brand’s latest Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). Even though Hyundai is still only taking pre-orders for the EV with no confirmed delivery date, the Ioniq 5 still managed to create quite a stir in the EV realm. Of course, that got us wondering—how does the newcomer compare to the 2021 best-selling EV in the United States? But before pitting the Ioniq 5 against Tesla’s Model Y, let’s have a look at each car’s specifications in more detail.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Specifications

Since it knew its new car would have to face fierce competition, Hyundai equipped the Ioniq 5 with the latest in every imaginable aspect. The electric crossover is offered with two battery packs—a base 58 kWh model and a bigger 72.6 kWh option. As a result, the single-motor rear-wheel-drive variant provides a maximum of 300 miles on a single charge, while the 168-kW motor is good for 225 hp, taking the car from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds.

However, if you don’t mind sacrificing range for a bit more oomph, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model is the way to go. It adds another 74kW motor to the front axle for a combined power output of 320 hp and a range about 30 miles shorter.

In addition to the usual bells and whistles, the Ioniq 5 also offers some unique features. For instance, the floor is entirely flat throughout the cabin for better utilization of the available space. It may be weird for those coming from conventional combustion cars, but you’ll learn to live with it (and appreciate it) after a while. Another interesting feature is something the Korean carmaker calls the “Universal Island,” nothing more than a fancy name for a center console that moves back and forth up to 140 mm. Hyundai claims the Universal Island to be revolutionary as it allows you to enter the car from both sides when parked in a tight spot. Moreover, pushing the console back lets the rear passengers use the cupholders, wireless charging pads, and USB ports.

Although the Model Y is longer than the Ioniq 5, the latter offers a larger wheelbase spanning 3 meters. By doing this, Hyundai has maximized the interior space as the rear wheels are pushed further out. The difference is astonishing as you get plenty of headroom and legroom, even in the back seats.

Tesla Model Y Specifications

Unlike the Ioniq 5, the Tesla Model Y has been around for quite a while, and if the sales figures are anything to go by, it is quite the hot commodity these days. It is based on the same platform as the Model 3 sedan and is offered in two trim levels—Long Range and Performance—both with an all-wheel-drive dual-motor setup as standard. The Long Range model will take you approximately 326 miles before it runs out of juice, while the Performance model will go about 23 miles less.

The Model Y also follows Tesla’s famous minimalist interior philosophy, with only one large central screen controlling everything. In this case, the 15″ touchscreen comes with a plethora of tricks and features to make you giggle like a schoolgirl. And if you think of a missing perk that would fit the description, make sure to tweet about it so Elon can add it to your car through an over-the-air update.

Why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the Better EV Crossover

Exterior styling

The first noticeable thing about any car is how it looks, and that’s where the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y are worlds apart. With the Ioniq 5, Hyundai has opted for the road less traveled as opposed to most manufacturers trying to gain momentum in the EV segment playing it safe by designing their vehicles to look as close to existing combustion models as possible.

To make sure its Ioniq 5 would stand out from the crowd, Hyundai has adopted a much bolder approach. The design is a huge gamble, but it seems to have paid off big time for the Korean brand as the Ioniq 5 has received praise worldwide.

Interior comfort

One doesn’t need a master’s degree in design to realize Hyundai has arranged the Ioniq 5’s interior to be the best in its class. Unique features like the completely flat floor and movable center console significantly improve the cabin’s practicality. Besides, thanks to the extra-long 3-meter wheelbase, all occupants in the cabin are guaranteed ample space, perfect for long journeys. Unfortunately, there’s no option to add a third row of seats like in the Model Y, but what good are two extra seats if you have to cut off your legs to fit in.

Exclusivity

As mentioned earlier, Tesla’s Model Y is the best-selling EV in the US in 2021. Moreover, the second best-selling EV happens to be the Tesla Model 3, the car that underpins and looks a lot like the Model Y. So, it goes without saying that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a welcome change among the sea of sedan and SUV-shaped EVs.

Charging capabilities

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is miles ahead when it comes to internal charging infrastructure. The mid-size electric crossover comes with sophisticated, fast-charging technology that takes just 18 minutes to go from 10 to 80% when connected to a 350 kW DC station—that’s an extra 111 km of range every 5 minutes. Such fast charging rates are possible due to the 800V high-performance battery system like Porsche uses in its Taycan electric sedan.

Meanwhile, even Tesla’s famous Superchargers need at least 50 minutes to fully charge the Model Y. However, it is essential to note that using Superchargers every time is not a good idea as the high charging rate can potentially deteriorate the battery over time.

Price

Even though Hyundai has not officially announced prices for the Ioniq 5 in the US, one can say with some confidence that it will cost significantly less than the Model Y.

For instance, the Model Y’s Long Range variant costs nearly $54,000, and the Performance variant will set you back another $7,000. On the other hand, we expect the Ioniq 5 to start somewhere around the $45,000 mark for the base model and up to $55,000 for the range-topping trim. If our prediction stands true, this price range will place the Ioniq 5 exactly between the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Model Y, handing it a clear advantage over the Tesla.

Verdict

In conclusion, we would like to state that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is not necessarily a better EV. Still, one can’t deny the several advantages it offers compared to the Model Y. Once the Korean carmaker starts rolling out its new electric crossover, it will be interesting to compare sales figures with the best-selling EV of 2021. In the meantime, we would love to know which one you think is better and why. Tell us in the comments down below.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs. Tesla Model Y in Numbers

Gallery: Hyundai Ioniq 5

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Gallery: Tesla Model Y

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