Electric cars of the year compared: Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6

They’ve both won numerous awards, are built on the same e-GMP platform designed and developed by South Korean Hyundai motor group, and are currently the only EVs in Australia to feature “vehicle-to-load” device-charging capabilities.

And, they are both infamously near-impossible to get hold of in Australia: yes, we are talking about the Kia EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

But despite their similarities, there are some key differences. From price, drivetrains and trims, body style and size, to overall look and feel and general driving experience, we take a look at what these are.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 price, battery drivetrains and trims

Both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are available in a rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive formats. Vehicle specifications state the Ioniq 5 is available in Australia with a 72.6kWh battery, while the EV6 comes with a 77.4kWh battery.

Driving range varies according to battery size and energy consumption, with the RWD EV6 coming in with the lowest energy consumption and highest driving range (147Wh/km and 528km WLTP range).

The Ioniq 5 is available in just one trim, while the EV6 is available in a base “Air” trim for the RWD, or the mid-range GT-Line for the RWD or AWD drivetrain. A range-topping EV6 GT is slated for arrival later in 2022 – stay tuned.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 basic specifications

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 charging

Both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 have an 800-volt architecture, which deliver an ultra-fast charging experience. Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 max charge rate is 350kW. Kia is a little more opaque, but some EV databases say the charge rates sit around 220-230kW.

Actual charge rates will depend on how empty a battery is when you plug in. And, as the battery fills, the charge rate decreases. In real life however, both companies claim an ability to charge from 0-80% in 18 minutes if you use an ultra-fast rapid charger.

When we tested the Hyundai Ioniq 5 at a fast-charger from 50% to 90% it took 22 minutes, starting at 115kW and heading down to 32kW (anything above 80% takes a bit longer as the charge rate drops dramatically.)

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 driving experience

While both vehicles are built on the same all-electric platform, they are worlds apart in terms of driving experience. With a slighty longer wheelbase (3,000mm compared to 2,900mm), the Ioniq 5 is a smooth ride, but the EV6 handles better on windy roads and hills.

That’s because the EV6 has been tuned to Australian road conditions – something that The Driven understands was not possible for the Ioniq 5 due to 2021 Covid restrictions.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 vehicle-to-load

Both also have V2L capacity, also known as vehicle-to-load, with a top rate of 3.6kW. The EV6 offers it internally via a convenient power socket under the back seat, or via the external charge port by using an external adapter on GT-Live trims. The Ioniq 5 however only offers it via the external plug in Australia.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 centre console and comfort features

In the Ioniq 5 you can slide the centre console – which is not physically connected to the dash – back and forth, and there is a lot of space beneath where a large bag or devices can sit.

By contrast, the centre console in the EV6 is in a fixed position. It’s also a lot shorter, and though it also has a bag space, this is not as accessible in the EV6 as the Ioniq 5.

Other differences include the fact that this EV6 has USB-C ports. The Ioniq 5 that we test drove only had USB-A ports which of course means slower charging.

The EV6 has a USB C and a USB A port underneath the dash, and there is also a standard 12-volt outlet and a USB C port on the bottom of the centre console, which is really handy and makes the storage space in the console is not so much for tote bags, as a space for putting devices while they charge.

The EV6 also has extra USB-C ports in the sides of the front seats, while the Ioniq 5 has USB-A ports in the back of the centre console.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 driver interface

Both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 use the same proprietary operating system. This means they both have very similar dashboards, but there are some key differences.

One big difference between the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are the driver controls below the touchscreen. The Ioniq 5 has a row of buttons that allow the driver to access different aspects of the car’s controls. Pressing them will bring them up on the touchscreen, and then you can access or change settings using the touchscreen.

In this way, the Ioniq 5 really invites you to engage with the car to explore what it’s got to offer. It is a really interesting decision by Hyundai because the interior of the Ioniq 5 is such a departure from traditional car design, and the message to the driver is that there are all these aspects of the car that you can explore.

The Kia EV6 however, has a more traditional interior. It shows in the decision that Kia made with the strip below the centre touchscreen. Rather than a range of interface buttons, it instead has buttons to access climate settings only. Even on the front of the centre console, there are buttons for the heated and ventilated seats and heated steering wheel.

What that means is that to understand all the different settings that the car has to offer in the Kia EV6, you really have to lean forward and find a way to interact with the touchscreen. I think this is less inviting and even a little bit inconvenient.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 sunroof

Another key difference is in the sunroof. While both Ioniq 5 trims have a sunroof, it is only the GT-Line AWD EV6 that gets a view to the sky.

In the Ioniq 5, this opens from the centre, gliding open by pressing button in the centre top front of the roof. Being a spacious car that’s geared towards weekends away in the outdoors, it seems to me that the Ioniq 5 is aimed at a “go and explore” mindset.

The Kia EV6 we test drove had a closed roof (unfortunately the AWD GT-Line available for media in our town had been in a prang). With its dark interior design, the EV6 without a sunroof is geared more at the younger audience who are looking more for a sporty look and performance credentials than a view outdoors.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 size, cargo space and clearance

The Ioniq 5 is slightly higher and wider than the EV6, but it is slightly shorter. Interestingly, both have exactly the same ground clearance (160mm).

In terms of cargo space, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins out: it has 531 litres with the back seats in upright position, and 1,587 litres with the seats down.

The EV6 by contrast offers 490 litres of cargo space and 1,260 litres with the back seats down. Both offer more storage space under the bonnet (the “frunk”) in the rear-wheel-drive formats, with 52 litres compared to 24 litres in the AWD format.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 versus Kia EV6 full specifications