Hyundai IONIQ 5

Hyundai IONIQ 5: Which Version Should You Buy?

Choosing a Hyundai IONIQ 5 from this catalogue comes down to power, drive layout, acceleration and weight. The rear-wheel-drive versions are lighter, while the AWD alternatives offer substantially more torque and, where comparable acceleration data are available, stronger performance.

Choosing a Hyundai IONIQ 5 from this catalogue comes down to power, drive layout, acceleration and weight. The rear-wheel-drive versions are lighter, while the AWD alternatives offer substantially more torque and, where comparable acceleration data are available, stronger performance. The original first generation ran from May 2021 through January 2026 with six versions; its restyling began in March 2024 and contains three versions. Every car is a Hatchback 5-door with an Electro powertrain, a 1-speed Automatic gearbox and zero listed CO₂ emissions.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 generations and versions

The first-generation Hyundai IONIQ 5 was offered from May 2021 to January 2026 as a Hatchback 5-door. Its six versions comprise three RWD choices—AT with 170 hp, AT with 217 hp and AT with 228 hp—and three AWD choices—AT with 236 hp, AT with 305 hp and AT with 325 hp.

The first-generation restyling began in March 2024 and remains without a stated end date. It retains the Hatchback 5-door body and offers three versions: AT with 170 hp and RWD, AT with 229 hp and RWD, and AT with 325 hp and AWD. Compared with the earlier range, this is a more focused selection rather than a separate generation.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 engine specs

Because every listed IONIQ 5 uses an Electro powertrain, conventional engine displacement, cylinder count, cylinder layout and boost specifications are not measured. The meaningful distinctions are horsepower, torque and drive type. Identical AT names are therefore separated below by output and production phase.

Power per litre cannot be calculated because displacement is not measured for any version. Weight per horsepower is more useful here: it ranges from approximately 10.8 kg/hp for either 170 hp RWD car to approximately 6.2 kg/hp for the original 325 hp AWD car and the restyled 325 hp AWD car.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 performance and economy

Among versions with measured acceleration, the original AT with 305 hp is quickest at 5.2 seconds to 100 km/h. It is 0.9 seconds quicker than the original 236 hp AWD version and 3.3 seconds quicker than either measured 170 hp version. Every listed version has the same 185 km/h top speed.

No city, highway or combined consumption figure is measured, so the data cannot support a Hyundai IONIQ 5 range or economy comparison. Battery capacity is also not measured. The listed CO₂ value is zero for every version.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 dimensions, weights and wheels

Exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied specifications. The available comparison is therefore based on kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and wheel sizes.

The lightest choice is the AT with 170 hp at 1,830 kg in either production phase. The heaviest choices are the original and restyled AT with 325 hp, each at 2,025 kg—195 kg heavier than the 170 hp cars. Across all versions, gross weight is between 2,370 and 2,540 kg. Tank capacity is not measured.

All versions use Independent, spring suspension at both ends, Ventilated disc front brakes and Disc rear brakes. That common hardware means the buying decision rests mainly on output, torque, drivetrain and weight rather than on a different listed suspension or brake configuration.

Which Hyundai IONIQ 5 version should you choose?

Choose the AT with 170 hp if minimum listed weight matters most. The original and restyled versions share 170 hp, 350 Nm, RWD, an 8.5-second 0–100 km/h time, a 185 km/h maximum speed, a 1,830 kg kerb weight and a 2,370 kg gross weight. On the figures provided, neither phase offers a measurable performance or weight advantage over the other.

Choose the original AT with 217 hp for the strongest measured acceleration among the RWD versions. It reaches 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, making it 1.1 seconds quicker than the 170 hp RWD car. It adds 47 hp and 7 Nm while increasing kerb weight by 80 kg. Its weight-to-power figure is approximately 8.8 kg/hp, versus approximately 10.8 kg/hp for the 170 hp version.

The original AT with 228 hp supplies 11 hp more than the 217 hp version and weighs 5 kg less, but torque falls from 357 to 350 Nm and acceleration is not measured. The restyled AT with 229 hp restores 357 Nm and adds 1 hp over the original 228 hp car at the same 1,905 kg kerb weight. Its measured 7.5-second acceleration is 0.1 seconds slower than the original 217 hp version, so the catalogue data do not show the newer car to be quicker.

Choose the original AT with 236 hp if AWD and a measured balance of weight and acceleration are priorities. At 1,940 kg, it is 80 kg lighter than the original 305 hp AWD car and 85 kg lighter than either 325 hp AWD car. Its 605 Nm output and 6.1-second 0–100 km/h result also make it 2.4 seconds quicker than the measured 170 hp RWD alternative.

For maximum documented performance, the original AT with 305 hp is the clearest choice. Its 617 Nm matches the highest torque figure in the catalogue, and its 5.2-second acceleration is the quickest measured result. Compared with the original 236 hp AWD version, it adds 69 hp and 12 Nm while carrying 80 kg more kerb weight.

The original AT with 325 hp adds 20 hp over the 305 hp car but has 12 Nm less torque and weighs 5 kg more; its acceleration is not measured. The restyled AT with 325 hp retains the same horsepower and kerb weight while torque rises from 605 to 617 Nm. However, its listed 8.5-second acceleration means the supplied specifications do not establish it as the performance leader.

The practical shortlist is therefore straightforward: the AT with 170 hp for the lowest weight, the original AT with 217 hp for measured RWD pace, the original AT with 236 hp for a lighter AWD configuration, and the original AT with 305 hp for the quickest measured acceleration. Buyers comparing used cars, lease offers or cars for sale still need external information on price, battery condition, range and equipment, because those figures are not measured in this catalogue data.