Audi Q5 vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

A year into its third generation, the Audi Q5 comes out swinging with screens, screens, and more screens in an attempt to hold its position as one of the bestselling compact luxury SUVs in the U.S. Audi customers and car enthusiasts, however, have panned the company's shift to a derivative exterior design and subpar interior materials while prices keep ratcheting higher. With thousands of test miles logged in Q5 models dating back to the first generation, we came to this Q5 review with an open yet highly critical mind, especially considering our Prestige test car’s roughly $65,000 asking price.

Verdict: Competent, not compelling, the Q5 meets expectations without setting the bar like it did in previous generations.

Although the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t the first three-row electric SUV through the door, it may be the best choice for most shoppers. With a starting price of $60,555 and qualifying for a $7,500 federal EV tax credit, it’s more affordable than a Tesla Model X or a Rivian R1S, and its standard 110.3-kWh battery pack provides a long range compared to a base-model Kia EV9.

Verdict: The Hyundai Ioniq 9 isn’t a perfect vehicle but it offers terrific passenger space, good tech, and family-friendly features. Shoppers may find its design polarizing (you could easily say the same about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the Ioniq 6), but families interested in electric vehicles will do well to test drive this new option.