2027 Cadillac OPTIQ vs Hyundai IONIQ 5: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the IONIQ 5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 5.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($35,000 vs $49,995) and better fuel economy (115 MPGe vs 105 MPGe best EPA combined). The OPTIQ doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: OPTIQ 0 pts · IONIQ 5 5.5 pts across 5 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 OPTIQ | 2027 IONIQ 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $49,995 | $35,000 | IONIQ 5 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 105 MPGe | 115 MPGe | IONIQ 5 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 519 hp | 601 hp | IONIQ 5 |
| Max towing (1) | 1,500 lb | 2,700 lb | IONIQ 5 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 0 | 5.5 | IONIQ 5 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the IONIQ 5 — 115 MPGe vs 105 MPGe (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — OPTIQ 5 vs IONIQ 5 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the IONIQ 5 — $35,000 vs $49,995 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: the IONIQ 5 — 2,700 lb vs 1,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The OPTIQ starts at $49,995 and tops out at $67,500; the IONIQ 5 runs $35,000 to $66,100 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- OPTIQ: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- IONIQ 5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: IONIQ 5 2024 (solid), 2025 (caution), 2026 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 OPTIQ | 2027 IONIQ 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $49,995 | $35,000 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $67,500 | $66,100 |
| Horsepower | 315–519 hp | 168–601 hp |
| Max torque | 650 lb-ft | 545 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 83–105 MPGe | 94–115 MPGe |
| Electric range (best) | 317 mi | 318 mi |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 2,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Shop both
- See 2,272 new 2027 Cadillac OPTIQs for sale →Median listed price $57,875 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 4,552 new 2027 Hyundai IONIQ 5s for sale →Median listed price $46,210 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Cadillac OPTIQ
More on the Hyundai IONIQ 5
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the OPTIQ better than the IONIQ 5?
On our data, no — the IONIQ 5 comes out ahead. Our pick: the IONIQ 5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 5.5–0 across 5 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($35,000 vs $49,995) and better fuel economy (115 MPGe vs 105 MPGe best EPA combined). The OPTIQ doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the OPTIQ or the IONIQ 5?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the OPTIQ or the IONIQ 5?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the OPTIQ or the IONIQ 5?
The IONIQ 5 starts lower: $35,000 vs $49,995 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the OPTIQ or the IONIQ 5?
The IONIQ 5: up to 115 MPGe combined vs 105 MPGe for the OPTIQ (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Cadillac OPTIQ vs Hyundai IONIQ 5: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/cadillac-optiq-vs-hyundai-ioniq-5, updated November 8, 2026.