Photo Credit: YouTubeAfter a Hyundai IONIQ 5 spent more than 39,000 miles in one family's rotation over two years, their lease-end takeaway was less about electric vehicle hype and more about what daily ownership actually costs, and how the car held up.Here's what to knowIn a YouTube video from the Jim's EV Adventure (@jimsEVadventures) channel, Jim described the update as "a long-term EV review based on real road usage, not a sales pitch."At the close of the lease, Jim and his wife Grace reviewed the practical side of owning the vehicle.Most of those miles came from normal family life, not controlled testing. Grace, the family's primary driver, commutes about 50 miles round trip three days a week, and the car also handled errands, trips with the grandchild, and longer road travel.They looked not just at charging, but at factors that can be easy to overlook.Battery durability, one of the biggest questions people ask about EVs, didn't seem to be a problem here. The creator said the EPA rated the IONIQ 5 at about 303 miles, but the family still gets roughly 320 miles on Grace's commute, with "no measurable range loss" after two years and 39,000 miles.What stood out most was how quickly the vehicle could recharge."800 volt fast charging is still the headline," Jim said. "10 to 80% in 22 minutes."For Grace, one of the simplest benefits was no longer having to stop at gas stations."I enjoy not having to stop at a gas station the last two years," she said. "So, that's been great."Her biggest downside was keeping rear passengers comfortable. Grace said her biggest complaint was that "there was no rear AC," which made it harder to keep back-seat passengers comfortable.More backgroundFor many consumers, cost is still the main attraction. This family's video stayed focused on its own spending, but commenters also made the financial case for EV ownership."The hybrid would save me around 30% vs the old Tucson but electric is saving me more like 75-80%," a Toyota bZ driver wrote in the comments.Another commenter, reflecting on a two-year lease, said, "we did it to see if we could live with an EV long term and the answer is a resounding YES. Love it!"That same commenter, however, also pointed to a common lease-end complication: "The buyout price is about 2-4K higher than what we can get by shopping around on the used market."What can be done?A predictable commute, reliable access to charging, and frequent local driving can make the switch especially appealing. Long-range capability and fast charging may matter even more for households that take regular road trips.Features matter too. Something as simple as rear air vents can make a major difference for families traveling with passengers in the back seat.Based on Jim and Grace's experience, though, the positives outweighed that negative piece. Grace praised the IONIQ 5 as a "great car," and called out the fast charging and comfort, minus the AC piece, as reasons to love it.Where can I learn more?This family's IONIQ 5 review raised familiar questions about what EV ownership really costs. • Drivers comparing long-term upkeep found shocking cost differences between EV maintenance and gas-car service.• A Bay Area driver said 7.9 times less per mile still held without home charging.• Across ownership budgets, cost differences of owning an EV kept outpacing gas-car expectations.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.