2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs. Kia EV6: EPA Range and Efficiency Compared
By Edward A. Sanchez – Dec. 7, 2021
Official EPA range and efficiency numbers on the highly anticipated Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 have been released, and now we have a better idea of how the new E-GMP siblings stack up to other offerings on the market, as well as their EV predecessors, the Kona and Niro EVs.
As expected, the efficiency champs are the single-motor RWD models. Also, the perception that the EV6 is sleeker than the chiseled, angular Ioniq 5 is borne out in a slight efficiency edge for the Kia, when equivalent models are compared.
The current E-GMP efficiency champ is the EV6 RWD Long Range, rated at an EPA-estimated 310-mile range, energy consumption of 29 kWh/100 miles (3.45 mi/kWh), and an MPGe rating of 134 city and 101 highway. The equivalent Ioniq 5 model is rated at 303 miles of highway range, 30 kWh/100 miles (3.33 mi/kWh), and 132 MPGe city and 98 highway.
The Kia EV6 Long Range RWD (shown) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD (top image) are the efficiency and range kings in Hyundai Group’s current E-GMP lineup.
Opting for the AWD version of either model predictably affects both range and efficiency, with the AWD EV6 Long Range rated at 274 miles of range, energy consumption of 32 kWh/100 miles (3.13 mi/kWh), and MPGe of 116 city and 94 highway, with the AWD Ioniq 5 Long Range coming in at 256 miles of range, energy consumption of 34 kWh/100 miles (2.94 mi/kWh), and MPGe of 110 city and 87 highway, for a combined 98 MPGe.
Energy Consumption
Range
Of course, the immediate question many are asking is: “How does that compare to Tesla?”
Since both the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are being marketed as “crossovers,” we’ll take the Model 3 out of the equation, which is the current undisputed efficiency champ in the U.S. market, with the RWD model achieving a remarkable 24 kWh/100 miles (4.17 mi/kWh), and 150 MPGe city and 133 MPGe highway. The closest equivalent in the Tesla lineup is the Model Y Long Range AWD, which is rated at 27 kWh/100 miles (3.7 mi/kWh), a range of 326 miles, and MPGe of 131 city and 117 highway.
So, Tesla still has a decisive lead in efficiency (although it should be noted that Tesla regularly underperforms its EPA claims by 10-12% in real-world case studies).
But how does the other competition stack up? Of course, knowing how much I love to beat up on the Mazda MX-30, I have to bring that up as a point of comparison. No matter the configuration, the Ioniq and EV6 soundly trounce Mazda’s EV, which has a paltry 100-mile range, energy consumption of 37 kWh/100 miles (2.70 mi/kWh), and an MPGe rating of 98 city and 85 highway – all on a single-motor FWD configuration, with an output of 144 hp and 200 lb-ft, and a 0-60 time of just under 10 seconds.
The least-efficient Ioniq 5, the AWD Long Range, still bests the MX-30 by 12 MPGe city and 2 MPGe highway, all while delivering more than double the horsepower and torque at 320 hp and 446 lb-ft. Oh yeah, and it goes from 0-60 in about half the time, at under 5 seconds.
Range and driving efficiency aside, with Hyundai Group’s 800V E-GMP architecture, the Ioniq 5 (shown) and Kia EV6 could have a dramatic advantage over comparable Tesla models.
Although arguably in a different class, for point of comparison, it’s interesting to note that both the Kona EV and the Niro EV are both marginally more efficient than their E-GMP stablemates. But it should also be noted that the Ioniq 5 and the EV6 are substantially larger and heavier, as well as more powerful. For comparison’s sake, the 2022 Kona EV is rated at 28 kWh/100 miles (3.57 mi/kWh), 258-mile range, and MPGe of 132 city and 108 highway. The Niro EV is rated at 239 miles of range, energy consumption of 30 kWh/100 miles (3.33 mi/kWh), and an MPGe rating of 123 city, 102 highway, and 112 combined.
Some would say the Ioniq 5 and EV6’s 800V power electronics architecture makes these obscure efficiency comparisons irrelevant, as time-to-charge is the attribute most consumers are concerned about, and from that standpoint, the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are very competitive, even with Tesla.
The big takeaway for the time being is that while Tesla and Lucid remain at the top in terms of overall system efficiency, Hyundai and Kia’s offerings are very competitive –Mazda, meanwhile, should perhaps go back to the drawing board.
Model Stats per United States EPA
(FuelEconomy.gov)
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD
Energy Consumption: 30 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 303 miles
MPGe: 132 city/98 hwy
0-60: 7.0 est
Power: 225 hp, 258 lb-ftHyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range AWD
Energy Consumption: 34 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 256 miles
MPGe: 110 city/87 hwy
0-60 mph: Under 5.0
Power: 320 hp, 446 lb-ftKia EV6 Long Range RWD
Energy Consumption: 29 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 310 miles
MPGe: 134 city/101 hwy
0-60 mph: 7.0 est
Power: 225 hp, 258 lb-ftKia EV6 Long Range AWD
Energy Consumption: 32 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 274 miles
MPGe: 116 city/94 hwy
0-60 mph: Under 5.0
Power: 320 hp, 446 lb-ftHyundai Kona EV
Energy Consumption: 28 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 258 miles
MPGe: 132 city/108 hwy
0-60 mph: Under 7.0
Power: 201 hp, 258 lb-ftKia Niro Electric
Energy Consumption: 30 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 239 miles
MPGe: 123 city/102 hwy
0-60 mph: 7.5 est
Power: 201 hp, 258 lb-ftMazda MX-30
Energy Consumption: 37 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 100 miles
MPGe: 98 city/85 hwy
0-60 mph: 10.0
Power: 144 hp, 200 lb-ftTesla Model Y Long Range AWD
Energy Consumption: 27 kWh/100 mi
EPA Rated Range: 326 miles
MPGe: 131 city/117 hwy
0-60 mph: 4.4
Power: 346 hp, 389 lb-ft (est.)
(Main image of Ioniq 5 courtesy Hyundai Group)
- Store - Podcast - Facebook - Google News - Twitter -
