The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is Still One Of The Best EVs You Can BuyAutoblogJared RosenholtzSat, September 19, 2026 at 8:30 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Keeping What Wasn't Broken2026 is a year full of new electric vehicle debuts, including the BMW iX3, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Rivian R2, Volvo EX60, and more. With all of these hot new EVs hitting the market, existing models like the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 should theoretically start to feel outdated, since it's been on the market for five years now. Impressively, despite the influx of new competitors, the Ioniq 5 still feels like one of the most impressive EVs on the market, especially after its recent facelift. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5Jared Levenson/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementHyundai knew it didn't need to drastically alter what was already one of the coolest designs on the road. The Ioniq 5's boxy styling is reminiscent of '80s hatchbacks like the Lancia Delta, but its substantial wheelbase (118.1 inches) is longer than that of a Hyundai Palisade, delivering a spacious cabin that rivals larger vehicles.2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5Jared Levenson/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleSmall improvements like a rear windshield wiper show that Hyundai listens to customer feedback without ruining what owners already loved about its vehicles. Inside, an updated interior adds more physical buttons, including ones for the heated and ventilated seats. This small change further demonstrates Hyundai incrementally improving based on demand.More Of What Customers WantEvery Ioniq 5 level received a larger battery post-facelifting, meaning range has been improved across the board. The SE Standard Range grows from a 58 to a 63 kWh battery pack, increasing range from 220 to 245 miles. Rear-Drive models now get a an 84 kWh pack, up from 77.4 kWh, delivering 318 miles of range, an increase from 308 miles. Opting for all-wheel-drive drops the range down to 290 miles on SE and SEL trims, while the Limited and XRT get 269 and 259 miles, respectively. These are improvements over the outgoing dual-motor setup's 260-mile range, not including the new XRT off-road trim.2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5HyundaiView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementMore driving range is always welcomed in an EV, especially when there is very little trade-off for the larger battery. The Ioniq 5 was ahead of the curve with its 800-volt charging architecture, meaning its new 20-minute 10-80% charge time is still highly competitive even five years after its initial debut. That is a slight increase from the outgoing 18-minute quote, but it's only because the battery holds more electricity. Hyundai was also among the first non-Tesla automakers to adopt an NACS port, opening up access to Superchargers without an adapter.Less Expensive Than BeforeThese updates keep the Ioniq 5 one of the strongest EV values on the market as new EVs continue to go on sale with inferior charging speeds and higher price tags. After the $7,500 federal tax credit was repealed, most EVs became more expensive for consumers and sales slowed as a result. While it didn't fully bring sales back to their pre-credit highs, Hyundai shocked the world by announcing massive prices cuts (up to $9,800) equal to or exceeding the discontinued tax credit.2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5Jared Levenson/AutoblogView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThe least expensive SE Standard Range now costs just $35,000, making it a truly affordable option for buyers who don't do long road trips but would still enjoy occasional fast charging. It's worth noting this is also the least powerful trim with only 168 horsepower. The SE with the larger battery and 318-mile range only costs $37,500, meaning you only have to spend $2,500 to get substantially more distance and more power (225 hp). The SEL and Limited trims cost $39,800 and $45,075, respectively, while the new XRT is $46,275. AWD costs $3,500 to add, and it brings the output to 320 hp.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's tempting to become enamored by a new vehicle, especially one that just hit the market like the Rivian R2. While that vehicle holds some advantages over the Ioniq 5, Hyundai proved that its best-selling EV is still strongly worth considering even after five years on sale.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.