2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2023 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 represented a bold leap into Hyundai's future, with its debut marking the birth of the Ioniq sub-brand dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles. Its design diverged significantly from the 2016 original Ioniq, aiming to differentiate itself through a minimalist yet pixelated aesthetic. This next-gen look featured aerodynamic wheels and a fender flare surrounded by silver-contrast plastic bits, all wrapped in a polished yet intricate exterior design known as Parametric Pixel. The pixel-based design aesthetic extended to all lighting elements, resulting in a distinctive and somewhat polarizing visual language.

Inside, the Ioniq 5 contrasted its busy exterior with a calm, understated "Living Space" interior theme, available in soothing hues such as black, gray, and dark green. The cabin prioritized comfort, offering features like a legitimate "Relaxation" mode that transformed the driver's seat into a zero-gravity resting position when parked. Sustainability was integral to the interior design, with extensive use of eco-friendly materials like recycled fibers and bio-materials derived from bean oil and sugar cane.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda HR-V made strides toward a more modern and sophisticated design. It departed from the quirky charm of its predecessor by adopting a streamlined look with a lowered beltline and simplified detailing. The redesign also hid the windshield wipers and removed the rooftop black molding strips, amplifying its sleek profile. In the dusky, oceanic gray-green Nordic Forest Pearl, the HR-V emanated a sophisticated vibe with standard 17-inch silver alloy wheels, 18-inch black alloys for the Sport trim, and additional sporty touches for higher trims like a black rear spoiler and chrome exhaust.

The HR-V's interior focused on refinement, echoing the design language of the 2022 Civic. Each trim offered a different take on comfort and style, from the black or gray cloth seats in the base models to the perforated leather seats with additional shoulder support in the EX-L variant. The most luxurious EX-L trim provided dual-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and an eight-way power driver's seat, creating a cabin experience that felt premium without the premium price tag.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 provided options to cater to varying performance preferences. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, the base SE Standard Range came with a 128-kW rear-mounted motor producing 168 horsepower and offering a 220-mile range. However, the SE Standard Range only made its appearance in spring 2022. The extended-range lineup, available sooner, featured a 168-kW rear motor delivering 225 horsepower and a range of 303 miles for the RWD configuration. The AWD variants combined a 74-kW front motor with a 165-kW rear motor, resulting in 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a reduced range of 256 miles.

The Ioniq 5’s performance was solid yet not designed for adrenaline junkies. It handled various terrains with composure and control but didn't aim to thrill like some of its high-performance EV counterparts. The four drive modes, including Sport, tweaked the driving dynamics slightly for more excitement but at the cost of range. Paddles allowed drivers to adjust regenerative braking on the fly, adding a layer of interactivity to the driving experience. Importantly, the innovative single-speed transmission and noise-reducing features, including acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials, ensured a quiet and smooth ride, no matter the road conditions.

The 2023 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, offered a single powertrain: a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine generating 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, an upgrade over the previous model year. Power was managed by an updated CVT with a Step-Shift function mimicking traditional automatic transmission sounds during acceleration. While paddle shifters were absent, drivers could select from Normal, Snow, and ECON drive modes, with a Sport mode option available by adjusting the shifter.

This new HR-V managed mountain roads admirably, assisted by updated suspensions and widened tracks, but it wasn’t overpowering. The HR-V's fun-to-drive character was intact, although its competitors offered more diversity in powertrain options, including turbo versions. Overall, it delivered a balanced driving experience ideal for everyday commutes and light adventures.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 capitalized on its new Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), providing generous interior space within its SUV-like dimensions. Its 118.1-inch wheelbase, longer than that of the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade, translated into a spacious cabin. Passenger volume totaled 106.5 cu-ft, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4, both falling below 102 cu-ft. However, it lagged slightly in cargo capacity, offering 27.2 cu-ft compared to the Mach-E’s 29.7 cu-ft and ID.4’s 30.3 cu-ft.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda HR-V, a subcompact SUV, featured a thoughtful interior layout despite its smaller size. It maintained a practical center console with various storage solutions and ensured essential controls were ergonomically placed. The fastback design marginally reduced rear-seat headroom to 38.0 inches but maintained a competitive 24.4 cu-ft of cargo space, expandable to 55.1 cu-ft with the rear seats folded. Though smaller than the previous model year's capacity, Honda asserted the HR-V remained among the best in class for cargo volume. Passenger volume was slightly adjusted for 2023, with EX-L offering a spacious 97.3 cu-ft, while the LX and Sport trims had 98.7 cu-ft.

In technological integration, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 stood out with several groundbreaking features. It incorporated an advanced high-voltage system supporting up to 800-volt charging infrastructures without needing adapters. This system allowed ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery in 18 minutes, with Hyundai partnering with Electrify America to provide two years of free fast charging sessions. The vehicle-to-load capability further enhanced its utility by enabling the Ioniq 5 to charge other EVs or household appliances.

The infotainment experience was spearheaded by dual 12.3-inch screens equipped with anti-glare coatings, responsive to touch, and coupled with a redesigned Blue Link app focusing on EV management. Added features like a digital key, AI-powered voice recognition, and over-the-air updates underscored the Ioniq 5’s tech-savvy persona.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Honda HR-V offered a more reserved but comprehensively upgraded tech suite. The new design elevated the infotainment system, making it accessible and intuitive. Every trim included a 7-inch digital gauge cluster and at least a 7-inch touchscreen display, with the EX-L enjoying a 9-inch display featuring advanced functionalities like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six programmable shortcuts, and Smart Shortcuts using machine learning. Standard tech included three USB-A ports and a four-speaker audio system, with higher trims improving audio quality and adding features like WiFi capability and SiriusXM.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 ensured a high safety standard with its Hyundai SmartSense suite. This included essential features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I offered a Level 2 semi-autonomous experience, customizing its adaptive cruise control through machine learning to match the driver’s tendencies. It also featured a head-up display with augmented reality, though real-world use revealed some potential distractions.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda HR-V addressed previous critiques by integrating the Honda Sensing suite across all trims. This comprehensive package included adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, road-departure mitigation, traffic-sign recognition, and traffic jam assist. Additional standard features, such as a driver-attention monitor and automatic high-beams, assured a well-rounded safety experience. While neither vehicle had 2023 crash-test ratings, the 2022 HR-V held commendable safety scores, suggesting the 2023 model would perform similarly well.