Nissan Ariya vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Which One Wins?

The race for the best midsize electric SUV is heating up as automakers rush to release new and innovative consumer options. Nissan and Hyundai are examples of companies that recently released new electric car models, the Ariya and the Ioniq 5, respectively. These cars feature impressive performance powered by cutting-edge technology with sleek designs that cater to the modern driver’s needs.

Indeed, they stand out in the crowded electric SUV market, and here’s some proof. There was so much hype around the release of the Ariya that Nissan had to restrict orders months after the launch. As for the Ioniq 5, the debut came after months-long anticipation and has remained such a popular option that, even today, it carries considerable wait time for new orders. 

With both cars vying for the attention of the environmentally conscious, it’s only natural to wonder which wins. This article closely compares Nissan Ariya vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5 to establish which reigns supreme. We’ll compare the tech features, efficiency and range, cargo and towing, safety, cabin space, style, and powertrains. 

Nissan Ariya vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Step-By-Step Comparison

Nissan Ariya vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: What’s the Difference?

Both vehicles are midsize SUVs with a five-seater seating capacity. Because they are both electric cars, they use single-speed transmissions, meaning they don’t have the traditional automatic gearbox seen in diesel or gasoline cars. But that’s a common feature in most electric SUVs. With Arina and Ioniq 5, they guarantee exceptionally smooth acceleration and instant torque that makes them responsive and quick on the road. The following section discusses the feature differences between these vehicles in greater detail. 

Design and Style

Undoubtedly, the Ariya and Ioniq 5 are two of the most stylish Electric SUVs on the market. The  Ariya boasts a sleek, modern design emphasizing timeless Japanese futurism with minimalist details and smooth body panels. Unlike other Nissan models, the front grille was redesigned to be friendlier. You’ll also see slim LED lights running around the grille’s frame. 

The car also features a steep C-pillar that gives it a sportier shape. Inside the Ariya, the cabin is clutter-free with a flat flour layout and a dual-screen infotainment system. The seats feature NASA-inspired zero-gravity technology designed to alleviate pressure points and provide optimal support and comfort for the human body.

The Ioniq 5 features a more retro-futuristic design with flat surfaces, sharp angles, and well-defined edges. One of the most striking features of this car is the Parametric Pixel lights that highlight the boxy design. These lights create a dynamic and futuristic lighting effect that follows the cars’ contours giving it a distinctive and eye-catching experience. 

While the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s cabin has plenty of space, it isn’t as adventurous as the exterior. The car focuses on comfort and comes with a 12.3-inch screen designed with a thick bezel skin similar to that of the first-generation iPad. The vehicle has a unique sliding center console that moves back and forth to create more space in the cabin. This innovative feature highlights the Ioniq 5’s flat-floor design, made possible by the car’s electric powertrain and battery system that takes up less space. 

Cargo and Towing

Cargo space is another crucial consideration when looking for an electric SUV. The Ariya and Ioniq 5 feature ample space you can use to haul your belongings. The Nissan Ariya comes with 16.5 cubic feet of storage, about 467 liters, located behind the second row of the seats. However, AWD versions feature a relatively smaller storage space, about 14.6 cubic feet, because of the additional hardware needed for the all-wheel drive system. After folding the rear seats, the cargo space jumps to 59.7 cubic feet, large enough for any mid-size SUV.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5’s boxy design and flat floor configuration ensure enough cargo room. Behind the back seat, the car has 27.2 cubic feet of storage, about 770 liters. That’s about twice that of the Ariya. But when you fold the back seats, the storage space increases to about 59.3 cubic feet, relatively smaller than the Ariya. If you have smaller items, you can place them on the 0.85 cubic feet front trunk, often called the “frunk.”

Beyond cargo spaces, you also need to consider the car’s towing capacity. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 can haul trailers or loads weighing about 2,300 pounds (1,043 kg). However, this feature is only available on Limited Trims and SEL. The Nissan Ariya isn’t as powerful as the Hyundai. It only has a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds, so the Ioniq 5 wins in this segment.

Safety

Regarding safety, both vehicles have various features that ensure the safety of drivers and passengers while on the road. For instance, the Nissan Ariya features a suite of advanced safety technologies and driver assistance features christened Safety Shield 360. The system encompasses several cameras, sonar sensors,  and radar that help monitor the road surroundings and alert the driver of potential hazards. The system can also take corrective actions like automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and lane departure warning.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 doesn’t slouch, either. It also features outstanding security features, including Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following, Parking Distance Warning Reverse, Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Smart Cruise control. We recommend buying higher trims because they have additional features like Highway Driving Assist and Surround View Monitor. 

With advances in technology, most electric vehicles come with extensive technology features. As such, you’ll likely be hard-pressed to pick the wrong car solely based on its safety. Given the features both cars portray, we can safely conclude this segment is a tie. 

Tech Features 

Tech features are integral in electric vehicles because they significantly impact the driving experience and convenience. The dual screens in the Nissan Ariya allow the driver to easily access and control various car functions. Unlike the traditional cluster displays that indicate the speed, fuel level, and engine temperature, the Ariya features an infotainment system that displays all these under a dual screen. You can use it for navigation, communication, and entertainment functions. 

The inclusion of the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto makes it easy for drivers to connect on the go.  If you opt for the Evolve trim, you can access more tech features like a panoramic moonroof that offers a more immersive and spacious feeling in the cabin and provides a better view of the car’s surroundings and the sky. Other trims like Premiere add interior lighting details. At the same time, the Platinum trim comes with leather seating surfaces, a telescopic steering wheel, cooled front seats, front passenger seat memory, and a Bose 10-speaker premium audio system. 

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is just as dynamic. It features power-adjustable lumbar support on the driver seat, which benefits users who spend a lot of time driving. The Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, and Android Auto are standard features. The car also has a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and wireless charging in the SEL version. Also, the HVAC vents on the second-row seats are an added convenience feature allowing passengers to adjust the temperature to their liking. 

Other features like power adjustable passenger seat, driver seat massage, Bose audio system, and vented front seats are exclusive to Limited versions. The Limited version also includes a vehicle-to-load functionality. This feature allows the car to be a power source for other devices like camping equipment, laptops, and electric bikes. While both cars bundle have extensive tech features, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins this segment because it bundles these features at a relatively low price compared to the Hyundai.

Efficiency and Range 

Range refers to the distance the car can travel on a single charge, whereas efficiency is how well the vehicle converts its energy source, in this case, the battery, into power. The higher the efficiency, the more miles you can cover on a single charge. The Nissan Ariya has a range of 265 miles and can go up to 304 miles, depending on configurations. 

As for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, efficient configurations can give you a range of up to 303 miles. A standard case scenario will provide you with approximately 220 miles. There’s not much difference between these two cars regarding efficiency and range, but you can achieve more range with the Ariya if you don’t fancy the configurations, some of which can be costly. 

Nissan Ariya vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Must-Know Facts

• The Ariya has a more streamlined and aerodynamic design than the boxier Ioniq 5. It has a sloping roofline and sharp, angular lines, while the Ioniq 5 has a more retro-inspired look with a boxy silhouette. Both cars have eye-catching designs.
• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a higher towing capacity than the Nissan Ariya, with 2,300 lbs compared to 1,500 lbs.
• The Nissan Ariya has a slightly longer maximum charging rate of 10.5 hours (240V) compared to 5.5 hours (240V) for the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
• The pricing for the Nissan Ariya ranges from $43,190 to $60,190, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 ranges from $41,450 to $56,500.
• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has slightly faster acceleration, going from 0 to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds compared to 5.7 seconds for the Nissan Ariya.
• The Nissan Ariya has a more powerful electric motor option than the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Nissan Ariya vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Use?

Nissan Ariya and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are excellent options for those interested in buying an electric mid-size SUV. However, if you want a sporty and powerful driving experience, the Nissan Ariya may be more appealing because it has a higher horsepower range and acceleration. Moreover, the Ariya Safety Shield 360 technology offers added convenience and safety features.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 isn’t bad, either. It has more towing capacity and a lower maximum charging rate. The design is unique and futuristic, and the starting prices are relatively lower than the Ariya. Both vehicles have impressive tech features and offer ample interior space. Still, we recommend test-driving the cars before buying to determine which one suits your needs the best.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Paceman/Shutterstock.com.