Compare the2023 Kia EV6VS 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Kia EV6 has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the EV6 and the Ioniq 5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia fourth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

The EV6 has more powerful engines than the Ioniq 5:

As tested in Car and Driver the Kia EV6 is faster than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the EV6 gets better mileage than the Ioniq 5:

The EV6 can travel longer on a full charge than the Ioniq 5 on a full charge:

For better stopping power the EV6 GT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq 5:

The EV6 GT’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Ioniq 5 are solid, not vented.

The EV6 stops much shorter than the Ioniq 5:

The EV6 GT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Ioniq 5 Limited AWD’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the EV6 GT has standard 21-inch wheels. The Ioniq 5’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The EV6 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Ioniq 5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The EV6 GT handles at .92 G’s, while the Ioniq 5 Limited AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the EV6’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (38.2 feet vs. 39.3 feet). The EV6 GT’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (39.2 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

The EV6 has .7 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room and .1 inches more front shoulder room than the Ioniq 5.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the EV6 easier. The EV6’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the Ioniq 5’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the EV6’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The EV6’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq 5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Ioniq 5 SEL/Limited’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

The EV6’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq 5’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Both the EV6 and the Ioniq 5 have standard heated front seats. The EV6 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq 5.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Kia EV6 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Ioniq 5 SEL/Limited offers wireless charging.

The EV6 Wind/GT-Line/GT has a 115-volt a/c outlet, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the EV6 first among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Ioniq 5 was rated second.