2021 Honda HR-V vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda’s larger SUVs like the CR-V, Passport, and Pilot. It featured distinctive styling elements such as upper and lower window lines converging near the taillights, which also housed the rear door handles. Most trim levels came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport models boasted matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit and finish. Higher trims like the EX and EX-L included features such as push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with the EX-L also offering leather upholstery.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, as the first vehicle of Hyundai’s new Ioniq sub-brand, showcased a polished exterior with minimal character lines. Its design, referred to as Parametric Pixel, featured extensive use of pixelated lighting elements, giving it a concept car-like appearance. The interior, contrasting the exterior’s intricate design, was mellow and comfortable, available in black, gray, and dark green hues. The “Living Space” theme was evident with features like a “Relaxation” mode for the driver’s seat and the use of sustainable materials throughout the cabin. The Ioniq 5’s interior was designed for comfort and utility, with a focus on creating a relaxing environment.

The 2021 Honda HR-V was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While front-wheel drive was standard, all-wheel drive was available on all trim levels. However, the HR-V’s powertrain was considered underpowered for highway driving, and the CVT was deemed ineffective. Despite this, the HR-V’s chassis provided a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads, living up to Honda’s reputation for fun cars. The HR-V’s AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rougher terrains, and it lacked towing capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 horsepower and a 303-mile range. The AWD variants featured a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, with a range of 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well on various road conditions and offered four drive modes, including a Sport mode for added excitement. The paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Honda HR-V offered impressive cargo space for its size, thanks to the “Magic Seat” 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. With the rear seats folded down, it provided 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space (57.6 for AWD models), and 24.3 cubic feet (23.2 with AWD) with the seats up. The HR-V led its segment in rear-seat legroom, although front-seat legroom and headroom were average. The interior featured sensibly-designed controls, including large knobs for climate control and an audio volume knob. The narrow center console was dominated by a large shift lever, making it simple and easy to use.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. The Ioniq 5’s wheelbase measured 118.1 inches, providing a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet. It offered 27.2 cubic feet of rear cargo space and a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, prioritizing passenger comfort over cargo capacity. The interior featured soft touch points and a moveable center console, enhancing usability. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, providing a pleasant driving and relaxing experience.

The 2021 Honda HR-V’s base LX trim came with standard Bluetooth, a 5-inch display screen, and a four-speaker audio system. The Sport trim and higher levels featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while the EX and EX-L trims added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports located in a convenient cubbyhole. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was considered small, and competitors offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features across all trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or EVs. The Ioniq 5 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 and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for better visibility. Hyundai also partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top “Good” scores in all IIHS crash tests and a “Superior” rating for its optional front-crash prevention tech. However, it got “Marginal” and “Poor” headlight ratings and an “Acceptable” rating for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA awarded the HR-V a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing. The HR-V’s EX and EX-L trims included Honda Sensing safety features, such as forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also came with Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The vehicle also offered a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, although it could be distracting in actual usage. While official crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai’s recent track record suggested high marks for the Ioniq 5.