2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 GMC Yukon

The 2021 GMC Yukon was a full-size SUV that balanced ruggedness with refinement, positioning itself between Chevrolet and Cadillac in the General Motors lineup. Available in various trims, including the new AT4 designed for off-road adventures, the Yukon aimed to offer substance over image. The Denali trim, in particular, stood out with its exclusive dashboard design, real wood trim, leather-wrapped panels, and unique interior stitching, making it more upscale than its Chevrolet Tahoe counterpart. However, the high price tag, especially with the Denali Ultimate option package, raised questions about the value of some of its premium features.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a groundbreaking electric vehicle that marked the beginning of Hyundai's new Ioniq sub-brand. With a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, the Ioniq 5 featured a unique Parametric Pixel design that gave it a concept car-like appearance. The interior, designed with a "Living Space" theme, offered a relaxing and comfortable environment with sustainable materials and innovative features like a moveable center console and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver's seat. The Ioniq 5's design focused on providing a serene and spacious cabin, making it a standout in the EV market.

The 2021 GMC Yukon offered three engine options, including a 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8, a 420-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 exclusive to the Denali, and an upcoming 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder. The Denali's 6.2-liter V8 provided robust acceleration and a satisfying V8 burble but fell short in fuel economy, averaging 14.4 mpg on a testing loop. The Yukon also featured an independent rear suspension and available Four-Corner Air Ride suspension, improving ride quality and handling. However, the 22-inch wheels and 275/50 tires made the ride less smooth. The Yukon Denali could tow up to 8,400 pounds with 2WD and 8,300 pounds with 4WD, though these numbers were lower than its predecessor and competitors like the Ford Expedition.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range featured a 168-horsepower rear-mounted electric motor with a 220-mile range. The extended-range variants offered 225 horsepower and a 303-mile range in RWD, while the AWD version provided 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque but reduced the range to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various terrains, with four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, enhancing the driving experience. The Ioniq 5's quiet cabin and advanced noise-reducing features made for a pleasant ride.

The 2021 GMC Yukon benefited from a new independent rear suspension, significantly improving passenger and cargo space. The front seats, though heated and ventilated, lacked a massage function and became uncomfortable during long drives. The second-row seats slid and folded flat, enhancing comfort and cargo room, while the third-row seats offered better thigh support and adult-friendly space. The Yukon Denali provided 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 122.9 cubic feet. The Denali XL variant offered even more cargo space, making it comparable to a minivan.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. The Ioniq 5 offered 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The rear cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet, prioritizing passenger comfort with 106.5 cubic feet of passenger volume. The interior featured soft touchpoints, a moveable center console, and a modern take on the retro front bench seat, enhancing usability and comfort. The leatherette seats provided a pleasant cushion for driving and relaxing, accommodating both slim and larger drivers.

The 2021 GMC Yukon Denali with the Ultimate Package offered a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa integration, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included wireless device charging, a navigation system, a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system, and a Rear Seat Media system with dual 12.6-inch touchscreen displays. The rear-seat entertainment system, though modern, had some connectivity issues. The Yukon also featured a 15-inch color head-up display, a rear camera mirror, and multiple surround-view camera vantage points, enhancing maneuverability and safety.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured a next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported 800-volt charging infrastructures and could reach 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, a digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant, intuitive, and finished with an anti-glare coating, ensuring readability even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 GMC Yukon came equipped with numerous advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, daytime pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Denali trim included adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The ADAS operated smoothly, making the driving experience more comfortable and less stressful. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the Yukon's substantial curb weight provided a sense of security.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of ADAS that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) system offered machine-learning adaptive cruise control, making the vehicle adapt to the driver's habits. The Ioniq 5 also introduced a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, though it could be distracting. While crash-test ratings were not available, Hyundai's track record with IIHS Top Safety awards suggested high safety standards for the Ioniq 5.