2026–27 Hyundai IONIQ 5 vs Lexus RZ: 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 3–1.5 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($35,000 vs $46,000) and more available power (601 hp vs 402 hp). Choose the RZ if fuel economy comes first (126 MPGe vs 115 MPGe best EPA combined).
Scorecard: IONIQ 5 3 pts · RZ 1.5 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 IONIQ 5 | 2026 RZ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $35,000 | $46,000 | IONIQ 5 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 115 MPGe | 126 MPGe | RZ |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 601 hp | 402 hp | IONIQ 5 |
| Max towing (1) | 2,700 lb | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 3 | 1.5 | IONIQ 5 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RZ — 126 MPGe vs 115 MPGe (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — IONIQ 5 5 vs RZ 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the IONIQ 5 — $35,000 vs $46,000 (starting MSRP).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The IONIQ 5 starts at $35,000 and tops out at $66,100; the RZ runs $46,000 to $57,000 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- IONIQ 5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- RZ: 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 IONIQ 5 | 2026 RZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $35,000 | $46,000 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $66,100 | $57,000 |
| Horsepower | 168–601 hp | 221–402 hp |
| Max torque | 545 lb-ft | 198.1 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 94–115 MPGe | 95–126 MPGe |
| Electric range (best) | 318 mi | 301 mi |
| Max towing | 2,700 lb | — |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Shop both
- See 4,552 new 2027 Hyundai IONIQ 5s for sale →Median listed price $46,210 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Lexus RZ for sale →
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 Hyundai IONIQ 5
More on the Lexus RZ
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the IONIQ 5 better than the RZ?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the IONIQ 5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3–1.5 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($35,000 vs $46,000) and more available power (601 hp vs 402 hp). Choose the RZ if fuel economy comes first (126 MPGe vs 115 MPGe best EPA combined).
Which is more reliable, the IONIQ 5 or the RZ?
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 IONIQ 5 or the RZ?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the IONIQ 5 or the RZ?
The IONIQ 5 starts lower: $35,000 vs $46,000 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the IONIQ 5 or the RZ?
The RZ: up to 126 MPGe combined vs 115 MPGe for the IONIQ 5 (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, "2026–27 Hyundai IONIQ 5 vs Lexus RZ: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/hyundai-ioniq-5-vs-lexus-rz, updated November 8, 2026.