Kia and Hyundai are two Korean automakers that have come to the limelight in recent years due to their impressive vehicles.
Both automakers recently entered the EV segment and the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are presently doing pretty well in this field.
However as Hyundai owns Kia, the similarities between the two vehicles are uncanny.
This article compares these two EVs through a Kia EV6 review as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 review.
It suggests which is a better buy and why. So let’s see Kia EV6 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 from multiple angles.
Exterior Design Language
Both Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 have distinctive exterior designs. I personally feel that the Kia EV6 takes a more modern approach whereas the Ioniq 5 has a retro-ish design.
It’s a matter of personal choice but the Kia EV6 will be the more mainstream vehicle in terms of its design than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
However, with its sci-fi appearance, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is definitely a breath of fresh air in the auto segment which has otherwise become stale.
The EV6 might look a bit bigger than the Ioniq 5 but we know that looks are deceptive. Both vehicles have almost the same size.
So when you put Kia EV6 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5, the differences in the exterior design are quite noticeable.
Interior
On the inside, the Ioniq 5 seems more spacious and we would even say that it feels a bit more driver-focused.
However, the Kia EV6 is no slouch and with big screens providing extensive controls to drivers, its interior feels contemporary as compared to that of the Ioniq 5.
However, both vehicles feature similar-sized 12.3-inch displays but their arrangement is different.
The material quality in the Kia seems a bit better than that in its Hyundai counterpart and this has been highlighted in almost every Kia EV6 review as well as all Hyundai Ioniq 5 reviews.
Technology
Both vehicles are based on the E-GMP platform which is shared by Hyundai and Kia. Rather it will soon be expanded even to Genesis electric vehicles as well.
The E-GMP currently features just these two vehicles but the number is likely to soon expand to 11 by 2025.
So when you see the Kia EV6 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 in terms of technology, there seems to be not much difference.
Driving
The Kia EV6 seems more connected to the road and its low height aids it in sharp cornering.
The Ioniq 5 is a relatively taller vehicle and thus you don’t get a sporty feel as you get in the EV6.
Performance
The Ioniq 5 with the 58 kWh battery pack produces 127 kW and has a 0 to 97 kph of almost 9 seconds.
However, you have the option of getting a more powerful variant with 228 kW and 600 Nm which can go from a standstill to 97 kph in around 5 seconds.
The base model EV6 is more powerful than its Ioniq 5 counterpart and thus has a 165 kW motor with a 58 kWh battery.
However, Kia has already announced the GT version of the EV6 which will have a 585 kW motor and 72 kWh battery. However, it’s 0 to 97 kph time of 3.5 seconds puts it in supercar territory.
Storage Capacity
The Ioniq 5 has a larger boot space of 588 litres than the Kia EV6 which has a storage size of 520 litres.
So, if you want more storage space, you know which vehicle to get.
Range & Charging
The Kia EV6 has a maximum range of 482 km and can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, thanks to its 350 kW DC fast charging.
The Ioniq 5 has a maximum range of around 480 km and it also takes the same duration in charging from 10% to 80% with the DC fast charging.
Pricing
The Ioniq 5 starts at around €37,000 whereas the price of the top model goes all the way up to €50,000
The Kia EV6 on the other hand is a bit more expensive as the vehicle starts at €48,500 and goes up to €57,000.
Author’s Take
The Kia EV6 won the European Car of the year award in 2021 which shows that it already has the support of customers.
So, if you want a modern-looking vehicle with a premium interior and exhilarating performance figures, go for the Kia EV6.
But if you are looking to stand out from the crowd with a vehicle that has a retro design and boxy looks, the Ioniq 5 is the way to go & the best part is that it costs less money for the base model.
Besides this, the added storage space is another benefit of the Ioniq 5 that helps it in taking the lead from the Kia EV6 in multiple dimensions.
I have Solar PV Panels so I can charge an electric car from these. I also want the opportunity to use the ‘car’ as a battery. Can the EV6 do Vehicle to Grid (V2G) please?
V2G capability for the Kia EV6 electric car is not available today, but we hope that technologies will be improved in the future and that more electric cars will have this access.
From my point of view, these two are the best on the market in their price range.