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The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is the 2026 MotorTrend SUV of the Year
What’s an SUV, Anyway?
By Christian SeabaughWriter Evan KleinPhotographer Oct 20, 2025
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV of the Year Winner 02
What exactly constitutes an SUV? It’s a question that sparks endless debate. For some, it’s a rugged, body-on-frame machine like theJeep Wranglers of yore, built for true off-road capability. To others, it’s simply a two-box vehicle with higher ground clearance and enough space for a family adventure. Still others see any hatchback larger than a compact car as a potential SUV. We generally agree on the functions of an SUV—comfort, cargo, capability—but its physical form remains a subject of contention. As Justice Potter Stewart famously noted about obscenity, “I know it when I see it.”
We know a great SUV when we drive one. A truly exceptional SUV must inspire confidence. It needs to handle the daily commute with ease, embark on long road trips without complaint, and tackle everything from snow-covered roads to light off-road trails. It must offer generous space for passengers and their gear. Safety and efficiency are non-negotiable, and let’s be honest, stylish looks certainly help.
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More 2026 SUVOTY: Finalists | Contenders | Behind the Scenes
We’ve spent countless hours hashing out the semantics, but ultimately, our Of The Year testing provides the most objective measure for distinguishing true SUVs from mere pretenders. Regardless of your personal definition, one thing is clear: our 2026 SUV of the Year contender handily meets the diverse demands of the compact SUV segment, and then some. It’s visually striking, exhilarating to drive, remarkably spacious, supremely comfortable, highly efficient, and offers outstanding value. As you’ve likely guessed, our 2026 SUV of the Year is the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
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The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5—the first all-electric vehicle to earn our prestigious SUV of the Year award—represents a fundamental reinvention of the SUV concept. The Ioniq 5 masterfully blends approachably modern design with intuitive controls, making the transition from a traditional gasoline SUV to an EV seamless for most drivers. Yet, its exceptional packaging and performance are only made possible by its compact, energy-dense electric motors. What truly sets the Ioniq 5 apart is its cutting-edge 800-volt electric architecture, positioning it among the fastest-charging EVs on the market, with charging times rivaling the duration of a typical rest stop on a long journey. Starting at just over $40,000, it offers this advanced technology at an unprecedented price point. Quite simply, no SUV in our diverse field of 33 contenders more thoroughly embodies our six key SUV of the Year criteria than the new Hyundai Ioniq 5.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV of the Year Winner 01
Advancement in Design
Admittedly, the Ioniq 5’s styling is the aspect that most challenges conventional notions of an SUV. With its steeply raked tailgate, lack of a D-pillar, and a modest 6.1 inches of ground clearance—barely more than a Subaru Legacy sedan—the Ioniq 5’s silhouette reads more like a midsize hatchback than a compact SUV. However, its aesthetic is undeniably one of the most compelling mainstream designs to debut in the last decade. Drawing inspiration from the Giugiaro-penned Hyundai Pony concept from decades past, the Ioniq 5 masterfully blends 8-bit retrofuturism with sharp, geometric lines and distinctive lighting signatures, striking a nostalgic chord with Gen X and Gen Y sensibilities.
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“I absolutely love the interior and exterior styling,” noted digital director Erik Johnson. “It’s like a Trapper Keeper with Max Headroom on its cover that I might have carried to elementary school, but on wheels.” Associate editor Duncan Brady concurred: “I want to specifically highlight the pixelated hash marks along the wheel arches, and of course, those incredibly cool wheels.”
The interior design is equally impressive, even if some judges wished Hyundai’s interior designers had indulged in the same creative exuberance as their exterior counterparts. The EV’s cockpit is characterized by a clean, minimalist layout that is both simple and intuitive. It features dual 12.3-inch digital displays and a distinctive brandless two-spoke steering wheel, complemented by a judicious mix of physical buttons, knobs, and switches. “Hyundai really sweated the details and smoothed out the user experience,” remarked head of editorial Ed Loh. “This is a superb transitional EV—new yet familiar. It retains familiar elements like a push-button start and physical controls for gear selection and adjustments, offering tangible, tactile feedback. There’s no relying on capacitive guesswork or taking your eyes off the road to confirm an input. It’s a testament to simple, elegant design, which is deceptively difficult to achieve.”
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Engineering Excellence
Beneath its stylish exterior lies Hyundai Motor Group’s revolutionary E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) architecture. This cutting-edge platform also underpins the Kia EV6 (a finalist in our 2026 SUVOTY competition) and the Genesis GV60, as well as future vehicles in the Ioniq lineup. This remarkably versatile platform enabled Hyundai Motor Group’s three brands to develop three distinct electric SUVs, each with different wheelbases and structural hardpoints, while sharing the same fundamental battery and motor technologies. This approach empowers consumers with greater choice and access to advanced technologies at more accessible price points.
Regarding choice, Hyundai offers two distinct battery and motor configurations for the Ioniq 5. The entry-level Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range models are equipped with a 58.0-kWh battery pack paired with a single rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 220 miles. Opting for the next trim level unlocks the larger 77.4-kWh battery pack. Rear-wheel-drive versions with the larger battery feature an upgraded motor producing 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the optional dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants deliver a robust 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 models can travel 256 miles between charges (increased to 266 miles for the 2023 model year), while the single-motor variant achieves an impressive 303 miles per charge.
Perhaps even more remarkable is the Ioniq 5’s charging speed. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, this Ioniq is one of the few vehicles capable of leveraging 350-kW Level 3 DC fast chargers. With a peak charging rate of 239 kW for large-battery models (base models are capped at 195 kW), the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes—comparable to the time it takes for a typical fuel and bathroom/stretch/snack break on a road trip in a conventional vehicle. Furthermore, Hyundai continues to refine charging performance through over-the-air updates, with the ultimate goal of making DC fast charging truly competitive with traditional gasoline refueling stops. The Ioniq 5 also stands out as one of the few production EVs offering vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing an adapter to convert the charge port into a 120-volt outlet for powering external devices.
Performance of Intended Function
Despite its unconventional, hatchback-like styling, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 excels in performing the core functions expected of an SUV. For starters, it is exceptionally spacious. With a wheelbase longer than that of Hyundai’s full-size Palisade SUV, wheels positioned at the extreme corners, and a perfectly flat floor, the Ioniq 5’s cabin feels open, airy, and inviting. Passengers in both rows, whether adults or children, will find ample space and comfort, with an upright and commanding view of their surroundings. Storage solutions are abundant and thoughtfully designed, including a clever center console that slides 5.5 inches fore and aft, along with numerous cubbies throughout the interior. “The center console offers an enormous open space, easily accommodating a large bag,” observed buyer’s guide director Zach Gale. “Or at least two tubs of ice cream.” While the Ioniq lacks a front trunk (frunk), it compensates with a spacious, tiered cargo area—perfect for, you guessed it, more ice cream.
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The driving experience is equally compelling. Our 2022 test vehicle (functionally identical to the 2023 model) transitions effortlessly between comfortable and relaxing when cruising, and engaging and genuinely fun when the driver desires a more spirited experience. The electric motors deliver smooth, potent acceleration, providing performance akin to a V-8 engine in a segment often dominated by noisy, underpowered four-cylinder units. The braking system feels natural and responsive, with Hyundai offering five distinct settings for regenerative braking, including a fully off mode, one-pedal driving, and an automatic mode.
The Ioniq 5’s handling and ride quality are particularly noteworthy. Its steering is quick
