Kia EV6 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 — The Electric Twins That Aren’t Twins

We’ve all seen them parked side-by-side and thought the same thing: aren’t these basically the same car?
After all, both sit on the same E-GMP electric platform, share batteries, motors, charging tech, and even some interior buttons.

Yet spend a week with each — not a test drive, a real week — and the personalities separate like siblings who grew up in the same house but chose completely different careers.

The Kia EV6 feels like a sporty designer sneaker.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 feels like a minimalist Scandinavian lounge chair.

So which one should we actually buy?

Let’s break it down — honestly, deeply, and without brochure fluff.

Shared DNA: What Makes Them Related

The E-GMP Platform Explained

Both cars use Hyundai-Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform.

What does that mean in real life?

• 800-volt ultra-fast charging
• Flat floor interior
• Rear-wheel or all-wheel drive
• Battery between axles for balance
• Heat pump efficiency in cold weather

Why This Matters

Instead of adapting petrol cars into EVs, these were designed electric from day one.
That’s why the cabins feel unusually spacious — like the wheels were pushed into the corners of the car.

Think skateboard with seats on top.

Design Philosophy: Sharp vs Calm

Exterior Personality Comparison

EV6: The Athlete

The EV6 looks like it’s already moving while parked.

• Low roofline
• Wide rear stance
• Thin LED light bar
• Coupe-like profile

It whispers: drive me fast.

Ioniq 5: The Lounge

The Ioniq 5 looks like a concept car escaped a motor show.

• Pixel headlights
• Flat sides
• Short overhangs
• Tall cabin

It whispers: sit inside and breathe.

Interior Experience: Cockpit vs Living Room

Dashboard Design

EV6

Driver-centric wraparound cockpit
You feel inside the car

Ioniq 5

Open horizontal layout
You feel inside a space

Material Feel

Both use eco materials — recycled plastics, vegan leather — but the sensation differs.

• EV6 = sporty premium
• Ioniq 5 = soft modern furniture

We noticed something funny:
In the EV6 we adjusted driving modes.
In the Ioniq 5 we adjusted seat position to relax.

That says everything.

Space and Practicality

Rear Passenger Comfort

The Ioniq 5 wins for passengers — no contest.

Boot Space

The EV6 sacrifices practicality for style.

Families lean Ioniq.
Drivers lean EV6.

Driving Feel: Same Hardware, Different Soul

Steering Response

• EV6: sharper, heavier
• Ioniq 5: lighter, calmer

Suspension Character

The platform is shared — tuning is not.

The EV6 turns a commute into a small event.
The Ioniq 5 turns traffic into meditation.

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model Y — The Electric Crossover Showdown

Performance Versions

Base Power

Both offer:

• RWD standard
• AWD dual motor

Acceleration Comparison

Almost identical — but the sensation differs.

The EV6 launches harder.
The Ioniq 5 glides quicker.

The Wild Ones: GT vs N

EV6 GT

Track-focused monster
Electronic drift mode

Ioniq 5 N

Simulated gear shifts + engine sound

One is raw electric speed.
The other is playful emotional speed.

Battery and Range

Battery Options

Both use:

• ~58 kWh standard
• ~77 kWh long range

Real-World Range Feel

Interestingly, efficiency differs slightly due to aerodynamics.

The box shape hurts the Ioniq on motorway air resistance.

Charging Speed: The Party Trick

800V Charging Magic

Both cars recharge absurdly fast.

10% → 80% in about 18 minutes on a 350kW charger.

That’s coffee-break charging.

Why It Matters

Many EVs feel like planning trips.
These feel like normal cars again.

We stopped worrying about battery — and that’s the biggest compliment possible.

Technology and Infotainment

Screens

Both share twin curved displays, but UI themes differ.

• Kia = darker sporty UI
• Hyundai = clean minimal UI

Physical Controls

Surprisingly important.

Hyundai wins usability.

Driver Assistance

Both include:

• Adaptive cruise
• Lane centering
• Highway driving assist
• Blind spot cameras

But calibration differs.

The Ioniq 5 drives smoother automatically.
The EV6 requires more driver engagement.

Ride Comfort Over Time

Long Journey Fatigue

After 3 hours:

• EV6 → we enjoyed driving
• Ioniq 5 → we felt rested

That’s a fascinating difference — the EV6 stimulates, the Ioniq restores.

Ownership Costs

Tyres and Wear

The EV6 eats tyres faster (sport tuning).

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model Y — The Electric Crossover Showdown

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3: The Electric Showdown We Didn’t Know We Needed

Insurance

Usually similar but:

• EV6 GT versions higher group
• Ioniq 5 family trims cheaper

Maintenance

Almost identical:

• Brake wear low (regen braking)
• No oil changes
• Cabin filter yearly

Software and Updates

Both receive OTA updates — but Hyundai rolls them out more conservatively.

Kia pushes performance tweaks faster.
Hyundai pushes stability updates.

Different philosophies again.

Daily Life Usability

City Driving

Ioniq 5 easier:

• Better visibility
• Tighter turning feel

Parking

EV6 cameras clearer
Ioniq 5 mirrors bigger

Which Feels More Premium?

Not price — feeling.

• EV6 = sporty premium German-like
• Ioniq 5 = boutique modern luxury

It depends if luxury means excitement or calm.

Who Should Buy The EV6

Choose EV6 if you:

• Love driving
• Prefer sleek styling
• Want sportier steering
• Do motorway commuting
• Enjoy dynamic feel

Who Should Buy The Ioniq 5

Choose Ioniq 5 if you:

• Value comfort
• Carry passengers often
• Prefer relaxed driving
• Want more cabin space
• Like futuristic retro design

Our Honest Verdict

They share batteries, motors, and charging.

But emotionally?

Completely different machines.

The EV6 is a driver’s electric car.
The Ioniq 5 is a lifestyle electric car.

Neither is better — only better for a personality.

Conclusion: Same Brain, Different Heart

If EVs represent the future, these two represent two futures:

• One where driving stays fun
• One where driving becomes peaceful

We realized something unexpected:
People don’t choose between these cars based on specs — they choose based on who they are.

And that might be the highest achievement an electric platform can reach.

FAQs

1. Is the Kia EV6 faster than the Hyundai Ioniq 5?

Slightly in feeling and tuning, but official acceleration is almost identical except in performance trims.

2. Which has more interior space?

The Ioniq 5 offers noticeably more rear passenger room and headroom.

3. Do they charge at the same speed?

Yes — both support ultra-fast 800V charging up to ~18 minutes 10-80%.

4. Which is better for long trips?

Comfort: Ioniq 5
Driver enjoyment: EV6

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model Y — The Electric Crossover Showdown

Kia EV6 vs Tesla Model 3: The Electric Showdown We Didn’t Know We Needed

Kia EV6 vs Polestar 2 — The Electric Crossover Duel We’ve Been Waiting For

5. Are reliability and maintenance similar?

Yes — they share platform and components, so ownership costs are very close.

If you want to know other articles similar to Kia EV6 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5 — The Electric Twins That Aren’t Twins you can visit the category Models.