Advantage Hyundai Ioniq 5
There are a few to pick from here, but the most obvious one is the styling. The Ioniq 5 looks like what we thought cars of the future – the distant future – would look like not three years ago yet here it is, almost a decade before schedule. With its creases and light treatment and stance – and yes, eve with its somewhat tame colour palette – it looks like what I hope more cars will look like going forward. It has truly brought automotive design to the next level, and I know I’d love to see that in my driveway (plugged in, probably) every time I set out for work in the morning.
Advantage Volvo C40 Recharge
While Volvo claims less range than the Ioniq 5 AWD – 364 km to 414 km – it was actually the C40 that returned the better figures when I finished my range test. I drove the exact same route in pretty much the exact same conditions and it was the C40 that stayed truer to what the trip computers were telling me before I started. The Ioniq used more power per km driven than did the C40, and that’s a win for the Volvo in my book.
Similarities
Both of these drive very well, they both ride very well and they both can be charged on a DC fast charge unit, though the Ioniq 5 can withstand a higher charge rate than the C40 can.
Verdict
The Ioniq 5 costs quite a bit less than the Volvo does, and buyers will benefit from government incentives due to its starting price coming in below 50 grand. Since Hyundai calls the more expensive Ioniq 5 examples “trims” no matter which model you buy, as far as the federal and various provincial governments are concerned, you are entitled to incentives.
That’s not the only reason why it’s our choice here, though. It’s one of them, to be sure, but there are others: because of its style, its expansive interior space, its infotainment system and the way it drives, it is the more compelling buy here. The C40 is a cool car. The Ioniq, though? Cooler, and more functional to boot, and more affordable to double-boot.
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
We like
Fantastic styling
Great interior space
Infotainment
We like less
Range questions
Only one way to get AWD
2022 Volvo C40
We like
Honest range calculations
Luxurious interior digs
Good power
We like less
Not eligible for government EV incentives
Aged infotainment with no CarPlay support at time of writing
Nonchalant steering
Specifications
| .. | Ioniq 5 | C40 Recharge | |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic | Single-speed automatic | |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | |
| Energy use (city) | 2.1 Le/100 km | 2.5 Le/100 km | |
| Energy use (hwy) | 2.7 Le/100 km | 2.9 Le/100 km | |
| Energy use (combined) | 2.4 Le/100 km | 2.7 Le/100 km | |
| Motor | |||
| Type | Dual EV motor | Dual EV motor | |
| Output | 320 hp | 402 hp | |
| Torque | 446 lb-ft | 486 lb-ft | |
| Battery | 77.4 kWh (usable) | 75 kWh (usable) | |
| Architecture | 800 volts | 400 volts | |
| Range | 414 km | 364 km | |
| Capacities | |||
| Cargo space | 770 L – 1,587 L | 410.6 L – 1,205 L | |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length | 4,635 mm | 4,430 mm | |
| Width | 2,022 mm | 2,035 mm | |
| Height | 1,642 mm | 1,582 mm | |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 2,703 mm | |
| Warranty | 5 yr/100,000 km (basic) | 4 yr/80,000 km (basic) | |
| 8 yr/160,000 km (battery) | 8 yr/150,000 km (battery) | ||
| Price (base) | $44,999 | $72,600 CAD | |
| Price (as tested) | $56,951 CAD | $73,500 CAD | |
| Eligible for iZEV discount | yes | no | |
