2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs. 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 ・ Photo by Hyundai

The 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E was all-new last year, taking this iconic name in a new direction. It’s not a gas-powered muscle car, but an all-electric SUV. It still retains much of the performance heritage of the original but adds in the cargo versatility of an SUV and the efficiency of an electric vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is all-new this year and marks the first time the brand has sold an electric SUV. It’s stylish and roomy with a unique, futuristic exterior design. There’s seating for five people with good room for cargo and a long list of standard safety features. Let’s take a closer look at these electric SUVs to see which is best.

Multiple Trims and Powertrains

The Ioniq 5 comes in three trims with pricing that ranges from $43,650 to $54,500. The base SE includes a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, an 8-way power driver’s seat, and heated front seats standard. The SEL adds the convenience of wireless device charging and a handsfree liftgate. The Limited features ventilated front seats and an 8-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The Mustang Mach-E has four trims starting with the Select at $43,895 with a 15.5-inch touchscreen and wireless charging. The Premium is priced from $49,100 while the California Route 1 is $52,775. The top performance GT starts at $61,995. Although priced higher than the Ioniq 5, its wider range of trims including the performance GT gives the Mach-E the win.

: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Ford

More Choices, Including Performance Options

The Ioniq 5 offers 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque with rear-wheel drive or 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque with all-wheel drive. Its EPA-estimated fuel economy is between 98 and 114 mpge.

The Mustang Mach-E has more options. Base trims with rear-wheel drive and the short-range battery deliver 260 horsepower with 317 lb-ft of torque. At the other end is the GT Performance Edition with 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque. EPA-estimated fuel economy runs between 90 and 101 mpge. While fuel economy is lower, having more options with more power gives the Mustang Mach-E the win.

: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Ford

Range That Keeps You Going

The Mustang Mach-E has both a standard and an extended range battery with range figures varying depending on the trim configuration. Rear-wheel-drive trims get from 230 to 305 miles per charge while all-wheel-drive trims get 211 to 300 miles per charge. The Ioniq 5 has a range of 303 miles with rear-wheel drive or 256 miles with all-wheel drive.

While the rear-wheel drive figures are closely matched, the all-wheel-drive numbers are another story. The Mach-E offers 44 additional miles of range with all-wheel drive, which gives it the edge over the Ioniq 5.

: Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Ford

Charging Times That Reduce the Wait

The Ioniq 5 fully charges at a Level 2 charger in 6 hours and 43 minutes. A rapid charger with 150 kW will take it from 10 percent to 80 percent in 25 minutes. A rapid charger with 250 kW drops that number to just 18 minutes.

The Mustang Mach-E with the extended range battery fully charges at a Level 2 charger in about 10 hours. The extended range battery can get up to 47 miles of range in 10 minutes and goes from 10 to 80 percent charged in 45 minutes. The standard range battery can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 38 minutes. That’s quick, but the Ioniq 5 gets you on your way faster.

: Hyundai Ioniq 5

Photo by Hyundai

An Engaging Drive Experience

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers a choice of three trims, but there’s no performance variant in the mix. It’s still responsive and handles beautifully with the silence and instant acceleration that you can only get in an electric vehicle.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E offers four trims that includes the performance GT. This is, after all, a Mustang, so there’s the expectation that it’ll drive like one. While the full lineup offers strong acceleration and crisp handling, the GT trim is a standout. It offers downright aggressive acceleration that presses you back into your seat. It has horsepower and torque figures far above the Ioniq 5 and that makes this a more exhilarating car to drive.

: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Ford

An Interior Straight Out of the Future

These two SUVs both offer room for up to five people. The interiors are elegant and upscale with quality materials that create a subdued and relaxing environment. There’s nothing brash or flashy about these SUVs.

While both have roomy, welcoming interiors, the Ioniq 5 has a more open feel and a more compelling design. Seating, especially up front, is supportive while still being comfortable enough for longer trips. There’s ample room for three in the rear seats with plenty of headroom and legroom. The design is all clean lines and rounded surfaces that look decidedly futuristic, and it’s a future we fully welcome.

: Hyundai Ioniq 5

Photo by Hyundai

Infotainment With Large Touchscreens

The Ioniq 5 includes a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. There’s also wireless charging if you move up one trim to the SEL. It’s intuitive, responsive, and easy to use even for front passengers unfamiliar with the system.

The Mustang Mach-E features Sync 4 on a 15.5-inch vertical touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen can be easily customized with a series of dash cards that keep whatever you use the most easily accessible at the bottom of the screen. The large tablet-style screen and unique customization system put the Mach-E ahead.

: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Ford

Comprehensive Standard Safety on Both

The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has standard automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, reverse parking sensors, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, safe exit assist, high beam assist, rear occupant alert, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.

The Mustang Mach-E also has a long list of standard safety features. These include automatic high beams, blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, reverse parking assist, rear parking sensors, lane centering, and speed sign recognition. Both are well-equipped, but we give this to Hyundai for including more features standard.

: Hyundai Ioniq 5

Photo by Hyundai

Which hHolds More Cargo?

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats with 59.3 cubic feet behind the front seats. It also has a front trunk, or frunk, which adds an extra 0.85 cubic feet of storage space and is ideal for wet or messy clothes.

The Mustang Mach-E has 29.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats. Fold those seats down and cargo capacity increases to 59.7 cubic feet. There’s also 4.7 cubic feet of additional storage in the frunk. When it comes to stowing your things, the Mach-E has more room.

: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Final Thoughts

The Ioniq 5 is a strong offering with good range, fast charging, and three available trims. It also has unique styling inside and out that make it look like a vehicle from the future rather than just another EV in a growing list.

The Mustang Mach-E, however, is a stronger proposition. It has more cargo room and a better infotainment system along with better range. It also offers a performance trim that lives up to the Mustang legacy.

: Ford Mustang Mach-E

Photo by Ford