2026–27 Kia EV6 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 3–0 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($35,000 vs $37,900) and more available power (601 hp vs 320 hp). The EV6 doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: EV6 0 pts · IONIQ 5 3 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 EV6 | 2027 IONIQ 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $37,900 | $35,000 | IONIQ 5 |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 115 MPGe | 115 MPGe | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 320 hp | 601 hp | IONIQ 5 |
| Max towing (1) | 2,700 lb | 2,700 lb | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | — | 5 | No data |
| Weighted points | 0 | 3 | IONIQ 5 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — EV6 115 MPGe vs IONIQ 5 115 MPGe (best EPA combined).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the IONIQ 5 — $35,000 vs $37,900 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: it's a wash — EV6 2,700 lb vs IONIQ 5 2,700 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The EV6 starts at $37,900 and tops out at $48,700; the IONIQ 5 runs $35,000 to $66,100 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- EV6: 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
| 2026 EV6 | 2027 IONIQ 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $37,900 | $35,000 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $48,700 | $66,100 |
| Horsepower | 167–320 hp | 168–601 hp |
| Max torque | 446 lb-ft | 545 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 83–115 MPGe | 94–115 MPGe |
| Electric range (best) | 319 mi | 318 mi |
| Max towing | 2,700 lb | 2,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | — / 5 | 5 / 5 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Shop both
- See new 2026 Kia EV6s for sale →
- See 4,552 new 2027 Hyundai IONIQ 5s for sale →Median listed price $46,210 · updated Nov 7, 2026
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More on the Kia EV6
More on the Hyundai IONIQ 5
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the EV6 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 3–0 across 4 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($35,000 vs $37,900) and more available power (601 hp vs 320 hp). The EV6 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 EV6 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 EV6 or the IONIQ 5?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the EV6 or the IONIQ 5?
The IONIQ 5 starts lower: $35,000 vs $37,900 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the EV6 or the IONIQ 5?
It's a wash: 115 MPGe vs 115 MPGe best EPA combined.
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 Kia EV6 vs Hyundai IONIQ 5: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/kia-ev6-vs-hyundai-ioniq-5, updated November 8, 2026.