The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 remains one of the most affordable EVs on the market, starting at $35,000. With long-range, fast charging, and modern tech, is the IONIQ 5 the best EV for your buck?
Hyundai IONIQ 5 voted best-of-the-best EV
After going on sale in the US in late 2021, Hyundai’s electric crossover SUV quickly won over buyers with a bold new design, fast charging, long driving range, and a comfortable interior.
The IONIQ 5 has remained one of the best-selling EVs over the past four years. However, for the 2025 model year, Hyundai upped the ante, launching the US-built 2025 IONIQ 5 with more driving range (up to 318 miles), improved styling inside and out, and a built-in NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.
After the federal $7,500 EV tax credit expired at the end of September, Hyundai cut prices on 2026 models by up to $9,800.
The company said the lower prices “reflect Hyundai’s commitment to affordability and its long-term EV strategy” in the US.
According to CarGurus, the most visited automotive shopping site in the US, the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 offers the “Best EV Experience.”
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 was named Best EV Experience in CarGurus’ 2026 Confidence Awards, with “one of the most decisive victories across all categories” earning three out of four first-place votes.
David Undercoffler, head of consumer insights at CarGurus, explained:
The best EV experience isn’t about the biggest battery or the fastest 0-60 — it’s about a car that removes friction from your daily life. That was the standard we held every candidate to, and the Hyundai IONIQ 5 was the easy winner. Regardless of your budget, use case, charging habits, or experience with electric vehicles, the IONIQ 5 just does everything righ
The achievement comes after Kelley Blue Book named the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 the best-of-the-best EV you can buy in its 2026 Best Buy Awards. Hyundai’s price cuts place “the IONIQ 5 among the most competitive in terms of EV pricing,” KBB said, “making this best-of-the-best EV approachable to an even wider set of shoppers.”
The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 starts at just $35,000. That’s for the base SE Standard Range model, with an EPA-estimated driving range of 245 miles.
Meanwhile, the extended-range SE RWD trim, starting at $37,500, delivers an EPA-estimated range of up to 318 miles. With 800V/350 kW DC ultra-fast charging, the IONIQ 5 can add up to 178 miles in as little as 15 minutes.
Inside, the IONIQ 5 is surprisingly spacious. Although it’s about the same size as the Tucson, the IONIQ 5 has a longer wheelbase than the three-row Palisade.
The interior, although relatively minimalistic, is loaded with modern tech. At the center of it is a dual 12.3″ driver display and touchscreen infotainment screens with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 price, range, and monthly lease rate
As part of its May sales promotions, Hyundai is currently offering a $8,750 bonus cash discount on all 2026 IONIQ 5 trims. With the discount, the base SE RWD Standard Range price falls to nearly $26,000.
If you choose to finance, Hyundai is offering 0% APR financing for up to 72 months, plus an extra $3,000 off, and 0 payments for 90 days.
With leases starting at just $259 a month, the 2026 IONIQ 5 is among the most affordable EVs in the US. The offer is for a 36-month lease with $3,999 due at signing. At just $259 per month, the IONIQ 5 is even cheaper to lease than the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, which would cost $401 a month for the same 36-month lease with $3,999 down.
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | Driving Range (miles) | 2026 Starting Price* | 2026 Monthly Lease Price in May |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 245 | $35,000 | $259 |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 318 | $37,500 | $269 |
| IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 318 | $39,800 | $309 |
| IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 318 | $45,075 | $399 |
| IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $41,000 | $339 |
| IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 290 | $43,300 | $379 |
| IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 259 | $46,275 | $419 |
| IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 269 | $48,975 | $469 |
How does it stack up against the competition? GM is offering up to $10,000 off the 2026 Chevy Equinox EV. The base Equinox EV LT trim is available with a $6,500 discount, bringing the starting price down to around $30,000.
The $35,000 IONIQ 5 SE Standard Range trim offers only 245 miles, compared to the Chevy Equinox LT 1, which offers up to 319 miles. The electric Equinox starts at just $36,495. For $37,500, the longer range IONIQ 5 delivers up to 318 miles of range.
How about the interior? The Chevy Equinox EV boasts up to 57.2 cu ft of cargo space and a 17.7″ infotainment screen. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 offers up to 59.3 cu ft of cargo space and a dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment system.
Top comment by Leonard Bates
We've rented several EVs on vacations in order to test drive different makes/models. The Ioniq 5 is the clear winner. Just feels right when you sit in it and the interaction with the road was lively and engaging. Going to buy one this summer.
BTW, the Tesla MY was the biggest disappointment. Lots of really cool tech, but the ride was rougher in challenging conditions and it felt bloated.
The IONIQ 5 also features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are not available on the Equinox EV.
Even compared to the Tesla Model Y, the IONIQ 5 looks like a reasonable deal. The base Tesla Model Y RWD starts at $39,990 with a driving range of up to 321 miles. For the same 36-month lease with $3,999 due at delivery, the Model Y costs $464 per month, or nearly $200 more than the IONIQ 5 SE RWD with up to 318 miles of range.
Which one are you choosing? Let us know in the comments below.
Interested in seeing one in person? We can help you get started. You can use the links below to find Hyundai IONIQ 5, Chevy Equinox EV, and Tesla Model Y models in your area.
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