I have a 2023 ID.4 AWD Pro S. I recently rented a Hyundai Ioniq 5 for two weeks while traveling around the midwest. I was excited to have it for so long to see how it compares! I am not sure what specific model Ioniq 5 it was, but have some clues. It was at newest 2024 (didn't have NACS charge port or rear wiper) and didn't have a glass roof, so it must have been SEL or lower trim. Given it's a rental my guess is it's the cheapest trip.
In a nutshell, I think they are comparable cars. There are some things that one or the other car is better at, but big picture, I would be happy with either. Here's some detailed thoughts.
Handling/Comfort: both cars are comfortable, quiet, smooth, and handle road bumps well. I had heard that the Ioniq's handling is tuned a little sportier -- but honestly, they felt similar.
Travel Assist: ID.4 is better. It is smoother and more predictable. The Ioniq would sometimes veer off on freeway exits, which the ID.4 rarely does. The Ioniq also slammed on the brakes one time for no apparent reason. I am glad that happened towards the end of the trip because honestly it made me nervous to use it afterwards! In heavy traffic that could cause an accident.
Fast charging speed: no surprise here, the Ioniq is better. I got over 230kW several times. More importantly, the charging curve is better -- even at 80%, it was still pulling 150kW. The end effect is that I charged from 25-80% in about 15 minutes once. The fastest I have done this in the ID.4 is, from memory, about 25 minutes. This may not sound like much difference, but the effect is that my wife and small child were happy to just stay in the car for that charging stop. That doesn't typically happen when it takes 25 minutes!
Software: Ioniq 5 wins. It doesn't have the lag issues my 2023 ID.4 does. I've heard that newer ID.4's are much better in this regard. Stupidly, I only brought along a USB-C cable, and the Ioniq has the old style USB port, so I couldn't use CarPlay. Oops! But satellite radio came in handy.
Rear wiper: ID.4 wins! No wiper in the Ioniq, though that's been fixed in the 2025 Ioniq 5. I can't believe they left it out before 2025.
Glad to answer any questions!
In a nutshell, I think they are comparable cars. There are some things that one or the other car is better at, but big picture, I would be happy with either. Here's some detailed thoughts.
Handling/Comfort: both cars are comfortable, quiet, smooth, and handle road bumps well. I had heard that the Ioniq's handling is tuned a little sportier -- but honestly, they felt similar.
Travel Assist: ID.4 is better. It is smoother and more predictable. The Ioniq would sometimes veer off on freeway exits, which the ID.4 rarely does. The Ioniq also slammed on the brakes one time for no apparent reason. I am glad that happened towards the end of the trip because honestly it made me nervous to use it afterwards! In heavy traffic that could cause an accident.
Fast charging speed: no surprise here, the Ioniq is better. I got over 230kW several times. More importantly, the charging curve is better -- even at 80%, it was still pulling 150kW. The end effect is that I charged from 25-80% in about 15 minutes once. The fastest I have done this in the ID.4 is, from memory, about 25 minutes. This may not sound like much difference, but the effect is that my wife and small child were happy to just stay in the car for that charging stop. That doesn't typically happen when it takes 25 minutes!
Software: Ioniq 5 wins. It doesn't have the lag issues my 2023 ID.4 does. I've heard that newer ID.4's are much better in this regard. Stupidly, I only brought along a USB-C cable, and the Ioniq has the old style USB port, so I couldn't use CarPlay. Oops! But satellite radio came in handy.
Rear wiper: ID.4 wins! No wiper in the Ioniq, though that's been fixed in the 2025 Ioniq 5. I can't believe they left it out before 2025.
Glad to answer any questions!
