The headline change to the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is not a new screen or a fresh paint chip. It is the sticker. In his family-style review, Micah Muzio walks through a car that, he reports, Hyundai cut in price by up to roughly $9,800 depending on trim after the US dropped its federal EV incentives. Hyundai, in effect, absorbed the lost credit into the MSRP. The version Muzio drives, a dual-motor Limited, lands around $50,000, but he notes you can get into an IONIQ 5 from about $35,000. For a car that already reviewed well on comfort, charging speed and interior design, a five-figure price drop is the kind of change that reshapes a whole shopping list rather than nudging it.
The frame Muzio uses is the IONIQ 5 against the new Rivian R2, the EV everyone is currently excited about. By his figures, the R2's base price is around $45,000, but the cheapest one you can actually buy at launch is closer to $60,000, with the $45,000 single-motor version not arriving until sometime in 2027. That gap is the context the spec sheets miss: a car you can buy now versus a price you can buy later. It is also a reminder of where the post-incentive US market is heading, with established makers using discounts to defend volume while newer brands ramp up. For a buyer choosing this year, availability and out-the-door price arguably matter more than which badge has more buzz.
On the comparison itself, Muzio reports the long-range SE IONIQ 5 offers up to 318 miles, against 275 miles for the eventual base single-motor R2, and does it for about $7,500 less. He also highlights the IONIQ 5's 800-volt architecture, which he says allows a 10 to 80 percent charge in around 20 minutes, versus roughly 29 minutes for the R2 on a fast enough charger. The review is fair to the Rivian, praising its interior, off-road potential and a performance trim Muzio cites at 0 to 60 in about 3.6 seconds. For the trim pick, he steers buyers past the cheapest SE standard range to the long-range SE, which he says adds 73 miles and more power for about $2,500.
Beyond the price story, the review covers the everyday details that decide whether a family actually lives with a car. Muzio and his co-presenters call out a NACS charge port as standard with a CCS adapter, a 250 kW DC fast-charging capability, and a home Level 2 charge from 10 to 100 percent in roughly six to seven hours depending on battery size. They rate the cabin highly for storage, with a movable centre console, a deep glovebox and a wireless charging pad, and praise the dual 12.3-inch screens with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The family notes the IONIQ 5 carries a five-star NHTSA overall rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, with eight standard airbags. They flag thicker pillars as the main visibility gripe, partly offset by an available blind-view monitor, and single out the reclining "relaxation" front seats as a standout feature for charging stops.
Bottom line: If you want roomy, easy, well-sorted electric transport at the lowest real price this year, the IONIQ 5 is the safer buy, and Muzio reaches the same conclusion. The R2 may well be the more interesting car once its cheap version actually ships, but "more interesting in 2027" loses to "great value today" for most families. The smart move is the long-range SE: it fixes the base car's biggest weakness, range, for pocket change. Watch the R2's real launch pricing before deciding the IONIQ 5 has no rival.
Commentary on a third-party video. Figures and claims are as presented in the source and have not been independently verified. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.