For the 2026 model year, nearly every automaker has an electric vehicle (EV) in the compact SUV body style for sale.
Little wonder. Compact SUVs are the best-selling vehicles in America. Americans use them as family cars and daily commuters – perfect use cases for electrification. Most automakers have chosen to build EVs in the best-selling segment, and the market is filled with strong electric options for buyers.
Two of the strongest are the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the 2026 Tesla Model Y.
The Model Y is the best-selling EV in America. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the most recent winner of our Best Buy Award among EVs. Let’s see how they compare.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 combines practicality and style in a near-perfect balance. On the practical side, it’s spacious, boasts fast charging, and comes in a variety of models ranging from perfect commuters to light off-roaders and track toys. It starts at $36,600 after a $1,600 destination charge.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Highlights
Fast-charging 800-volt architecture: Range anxiety is really time anxiety. Experience has taught us that, on a road trip in an EV, long range is nice. Faster charging is nicer. It’s better to stop slightly earlier for shorter charging sessions than to drive a little farther and then wait a long time to charge. The Ioniq 5’s 800-volt system can recharge much faster than the Model Y’s aging 400-volt platform.
Longer warranty: The Ioniq 5 comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Tesla offers a 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper plan and a battery and drive motor warranty that lasts eight years and either 100,000 or 120,000 miles, depending on which trim level you buy. Hyundai’s plan protects you longer, and Hyundai has far more service locations if you do need repair.
Available XRT, N models: If you want something truly unique, Hyundai sells an off-road-tuned Ioniq 5 variant called the XRT, and a high-performance model called the Ioniq 5 N. The 5 N is a beastly thing with a higher price, a drift mode, and more programmable adjustments than nearly any other car on the market. There’s nothing quite like it anywhere.
Read our Expert Review or see 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 models for sale near you
2026 Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is the best-selling electric car in the world. It has won fans on most continents with its minimalist high-tech vibe, brisk acceleration, and available advanced driver assistance features. It currently starts at $41,630, including a $1,390 destination fee and a $250 order fee. Tesla adjusts prices more frequently than other automakers, so keep an eye out for price changes if you’re considering the Model Y.
Tesla Model Y Highlights
Longer range: Sure, faster charging is great. The longest-range Model Y, however, can travel up to 357 miles between charging sessions. That’s 39 miles more than the longest-range Ioniq 5.
Hands-free driving options: Every Tesla comes with Tesla’s Autopilot system as standard equipment, and the option to add Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for $8,000. Autopilot can steer, brake, and accelerate independently to maintain a steady pace with traffic. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) can follow turn-by-turn directions. The driver needs to stay alert and ready to take over at any moment, but the experience of using these systems is amazing, and the reason many shoppers buy a Tesla in the first place.
Sentry mode: The Model Y can monitor its surroundings and use its camera to capture nearby incidents even when it’s parked. This can be useful for city dwellers who might have to deal with more dings than the rest of us.
Read our Expert Review or see the 2026 Tesla Model Y models for sale near you
Similarities
Both offer the instant torque that makes EVs so fun to drive, both use the Tesla-style North American Charging System (NACS) plug to recharge, and each comes in a variety of power levels so you can buy as much performance as you want.
New 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Prices
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New 2026 Tesla Model Y Prices
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 vehicles and New 2026 Tesla Model Y vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 2026 Tesla Model Y | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Drive Wheels | RWD | RWD |
| Range | 318 miles | N/A |
| Charging Time | N/A | Unavailable hours |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | 3,500 pounds |
| Payload Capacity | N/A | N/A |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Horsepower | 225 hp | N/A |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | N/A |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Battery Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 8 years/120,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | Not rated | Not rated |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 7 |
| Wheelbase | 118.1 inches | N/A |
| Overall Length | 183.3 inches | 188.6 inches |
| Width With Mirrors | 74.4 inches | 83.8 inches |
| Width Without Mirrors | N/A | 78.0 inches |
| Height | 63.0 inches | 63.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 39.4 feet | N/A |
| Headroom, Front | 39.1 inches | N/A |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.5 inches | N/A |
| Headroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | N/A |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 39.4 inches | N/A |
| Legroom, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.7 inches | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 57.7 inches | N/A |
| Shoulder Room, 3rd Row | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Last Seat | 26.3 feet | N/A |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | N/A | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | 58.5 feet | N/A |
| Bed Length | N/A | N/A |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
These are two of the most popular EVs on the road for the simple reason that both are very appealing. The Model Y is the best-selling EV in history, so Tesla has had a lot of iteration and practice ironing out its kinks. It’s an easy to car to live with. However, it’s also an aging platform, and we believe the Ioniq 5’s faster charging speed, more modern style, and longer warranty are persuasive arguments.
