Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Kia EV6 – which is best?

With Hyundai and Kia being part of the same group, these two cars use a lot of the same parts – which means both offer fast charging, impressive battery longevity and good reliability.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are excellent electric cars, with a long enough range that you could use one as your only car. But which is better for you?

Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Kia EV6 compared

Styling

Even after five years on sale, the Ioniq 5 still looks fresh and interesting. Its blend of modern and retro gives it a timeless look. The N Line trim gives you a sportier image borrowed from the sensational Ioniq 5 N, although the car doesn’t really need this extra garnish in our opinion.

The EV6 is more obviously futuristic, with a lightbar stretching across the bootlid and Kia’s latest ‘Starmap’ family face design. Somewhere between hatchback, saloon and SUV, the EV6 has a less conventional shape than the Ioniq 5, and a sportier overall feel.

Interior and technology

We’d happily spend a lot of time in each of these interiors – both mix physical and digital controls in a calm, spacious and plush cabin. The Ioniq 5 goes for lighter colours than the EV6, which has black upholstery and sporty suede trim.

In the Hyundai, the gearlever is mounted on the steering wheel, and not having it on the centre console means there doesn’t need to be a centre console. Instead, the empty area between the front seats add to the feeling of spaciousness – and this is only something you can achieve in an EV, where there’s no transmission tunnel.

Kia has given the EV6 more controls in this area, which makes it feel like you’re in the command zone. It’s a little thing, but we love the curve of the metal trim and the ambient lighting over the top of the start button.

Dimensions and practicality

With its more upright stance, the Ioniq 5 is a bit more practical than the EV6 – although the differences might not be enough to completely discount the EV6. Both have a boot that’s large enough for most families’ clutter, and a supplementary frunk under the bonnet with around 20 litres on four-wheel-drive versions and nearly 60 litres on two-wheel-drive ones.

If you’re a tall family, you might prefer the Ioniq 5. Its shape provides more headroom in both rows than the EV6, but it’s most noticeable in the back. If you’re a sunflower in a field of daisies, your head will be brushing the headliner in the Kia.

Both offer Vehicle-to-Load bi-directional charging ability with an adaptor. Neither have a rear windscreen wiper – so the back screen quickly becomes opaque in grimy conditions.

Range and performance

You might expect the Ioniq 5 and EV6 to post identical stats, given that they both use the same battery pack and motor. The sleeker EV6 goes slightly further on a charge than an Ioniq 5 with the same battery; both crack 300 miles on big-battery versions.

That’s the difference between these two cars: the EV6 only comes with a big battery, whereas Hyundai additionally offers a smaller-battery option to reduce the price. These 58kWh/63kWh small-battery versions are worth hunting out if you want the Ioniq 5 experience at the lowest possible price, and if you’re happy with a 200-250-mile range.

But, really, a car that looks this futuristic deserves powertrain tech that feels just as forward-facing. And if you’re using the Ioniq 5 as your only or main car, the smaller battery’s range will make longer journeys – like family holidays – a bit trickier.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N vs Kia EV6 GT

Kia shocked us all when the EV6 GT was launched. Here was a Kia that could go toe-to-toe with Porsche Taycans and Teslas, thanks to 577hp, a 3.5-second 0-62mph time and lime green accents. A must-have.

The Ioniq 5 N blew the EV6 GT out of the water when it launched. In this episode of automotive oneupmanship, Hyundai’s effort came with a stonking 650hp, plus simulated gears, fake exhaust noise and a drift mode. All of this virtual stuff sounds like you’re just playing PlayStation, but it truly works.

The EV6 GT has since been updated with this same powertrain, but it still exhibits a different character to the 5 N. Whereas the Ioniq 5 N is like a hot hatch on steroids – in more than one sense – the EV6 GT is a bit more relaxed and aimed at long-distance cruising. Still stonkingly fast, though.

Value

On the used market, you can nab an Ioniq 5 for less than an EV6. That’s partly because you can get the smaller battery, which not everyone will want, and partly because the Ioniq 5 has sold in bigger numbers than the EV6. We’ve seen early Ioniq 5 examples for sale for under £15,000, which is phenomenal value for the sheer amount of technology and space you get.

Comparing cars that are the same age, same battery size and have similar mileage, the EV6 is invariably a bit more expensive than the Ioniq 5. But you might value the EV6’s relative exclusivity versus the more commonly seen Ioniq 5.

It’s also worth considering that the EV6 benefits from Kia’s seven-year warranty, whereas Hyundai’s warranty is five years. That means early Ioniq 5 models are starting to come out of warranty. They should be reliable, but it’s nice to have the peace of mind of remaining warranty cover. Although, if you’re dead set on an Ioniq 5, you could opt to buy an extended warranty just in case.

Which is best?

The EV6 is better if you want the tech and features in a sportier package. And it goes very slightly further on a charge. But, given the Ioniq 5 is a bit more spacious, more widely available and can be picked up for peanuts, we’d go for the Hyundai. You’ll never get used to having such a wildly styled car on your driveway.

Shop used Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars and used Kia EV6 cars for sale at Motorpoint. For more information on these models, read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review and Kia EV6 review.