2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs. 2023 Toyota bZ4X: Small EV SUVs Compared!
We go into every comparison test with an open mind, but in this electric SUV matchup between Hyundai's Ioniq 5 and Toyota's newer bZ4X, the Hyundai was the heavy favorite. After all, it already won a comparison test against its corporate cousin, the slick Kia EV6, and is currently our top pick among electric SUVs in our Ultimate Car Rankings. Turns out we were both right and wrong: Right about which EV would win but wrong about the reasons why. What we found were two exceptionally useful electric cars with their own distinct strengths.
Meet the Players: Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota BZ4X
The Ioniq 5 is a talented and stylish EV, and it's the first vehicle from Hyundai's all-electric Ioniq subbrand. Although the bZ4X is Toyota's first modern-day battery electric vehicle, Toyota introduced an electric RAV4 back in 1997 and has been selling the Mirai FCEV (an electric car powered by a hydrogen fuel cell instead of a battery) since 2016. Given that experience, we thought it was fair to match the bZ4X against the best in the field.
For this comparison, we went with top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive models. Our Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD came with a set of accessory floormats that raised its price to $55,920. The bZ4X's top trim level is also called Limited, and our test AWD EV came with a cold-weather package, premium stereo, spoiler, and extra-cost paint that raised the sticker price to $52,050.
Are These Electric SUVs or Electric Hatchbacks?
Although both vehicles are pitched as compact sport-utilities, they blur the line between SUV and hatchback car. Both are just an inch or two shorter in length than Toyota's ubiquitous RAV4 and about the same width as it. But the BZ4X's roofline is some 2 inches closer to the ground than the RAV4's, and the Hyundai checks in 2 inches lower still. Consider that both carry their batteries under their bellies, which raises their floor height, and you can understand why they feel more like cars than SUVs from behind the wheel.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the head-turner of this duo. Its nifty '80s-hatchback styling was inspired by Hyundai's first mass-produced vehicle, a dreadfully unreliable rustbucket called the Pony; despite those questionable roots, it drew universal acclaim: Throughout our test drive we could see the points and smiles directed at the Ioniq 5, and thanks to the Toyota's inferior sound insulation, we could sometimes hear the compliments, as well. The bZ4X is pretty enough in its own way, with its bold, grilleless styling and rakish roofline reminiscent of Toyota's own Venza. The black fender surrounds are questionable but do set the bZ4X apart—or at least they would if the Toyota didn't look so much like its fraternal twin, the Subaru Solterra.
Inside the Ioniq 5 and the bZ4X
Inside, the Hyundai has the edge: We love the EV rethink of the cabin. With no need for a center tunnel to house driveshafts or exhaust pipes, Hyundai has given the Ioniq 5 a completely flat floor, so there's no center pedestal where front passengers can smack their knees. It's a smart layout that reminds us of minivans and bench-seat sedans of yore. The control layout is fairly straightforward, and the cabin has plenty of storage space, but the instrument panel takes time to interpret, and there's a definite learning curve to the infotainment system. The Ioniq 5 is not a car for those who never RTFM.
The Toyota, in contrast, is refreshingly simple. Despite an all-digital dash, the controls and displays look like they could have been pulled from any Toyota model, and that simplicity is the bZ4X's hallmark, or at least it is once you get used to the driving position. The bZ4X's instrument panel is placed close to the windshield and meant to be viewed over the steering wheel rim rather than through it, blurring the line between a traditional gauge panel and a head-up display. It takes some getting used to, but once we adapted, we rather liked it.
Both cars have adequate room in the back seat, but the Toyota has a short cushion that sits too close to the floor. The Hyundai's back seat is positioned higher and is more comfortable by an order of magnitude, with no shortage of headroom despite its lower roofline, and the full-length sunroof lets in more daylight than the twin-pane job on the BZ4X.
The two cars run neck and neck on cargo space, with about 27 cubic feet behind the rear seats; only the Ioniq 5 has a sliding rear seat to adjust between passenger and luggage space, however. Neither car has a proper frunk, as both cars concentrate their electrical control gear under the hood. Hyundai does have a vestigial storage locker up front, but it's too small to be of much use.
Driving: Surprises and Disappointments
Out on the open road, the Toyota took us by surprise: Although it's not as quick as the Hyundai (we timed the bZ4X to 60 in 5.8 seconds versus 4.4 for the Ioniq 5), it feels very zippy and responsive, with a strong midrange punch that always made us smile. The Hyundai's accelerator is set up so that, outside of Sport mode, one must dip more deeply into its travel to access its best acceleration. Nothing wrong with that, but we preferred the Toyota's always-eager feel.
The Toyota had the better ride, too; it's comfortable and steady, whereas the Hyundai is busier and more jittery, even while being appreciably quieter. On the curviest section of our test route, the Hyundai exhibited better grip, but the suspension felt underdamped. The Ioniq 5 leans more in the turns than the bZ4X, and midcorner bumps set it bounding, often to the detriment of traction. Speaking of which, if you turn off traction control and punch the throttle coming out of the turns, the Ioniq 5 is happy to get a little sideways. (Stability control will keep it from going too far out of line.) It's good fun if a bit ragged. The Toyota wasn't as up for this sort of silly fun, but it showed more serious skills: Its better damping kept all four wheels in good contact with the pavement, allowing it to rocket out of turns that left the Hyundai scrabbling for grip.
Both of our cars had cruise control and lane centering, and both systems worked well. We like that the Hyundai's lane centering can be switched on independent of cruise control. The Hyundai has automated lane changing, but we couldn't figure out how to get it to work—that's our fault and not the car's, as we never did, um, RTFM. But it underscores a point we made earlier: The Ioniq 5 has a steeper learning curve, while the Toyota is simplicity defined.
At this point in our test, the cars were running relatively neck and neck: The Hyundai Ioniq 5 led on style and interior comfort, but we appreciated the Toyota bZ4X's ease of use and—much to our surprise—judged its road manners superior. But once we factored in range and charging speed, the Hyundai pulled ahead by several EV lengths.
Range and Charging: Hyundai Pulls Ahead of Toyota
The AWD version of the Ioniq 5 has an EPA-rated range of 256 miles, while the BZ4X Limited AWD is rated at 222 miles (which you can increase to 228 by opting for the cheaper XLE model). A 34-mile delta isn't much, but the difference in charge times is significant, particularly at DC fast chargers of the type you'd most likely use on a road trip. The Hyundai has an 800-volt charging system that can take advantage of high-speed 350-kW chargers. Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10 to 80 percent capacity in 18 minutes, and our experience bears that out. The all-wheel-drive bZ4X can't charge at more than 100 kW, which means that same charge can take the better part of an hour. During our test, we stopped for lunch at a supermarket with the batteries similarly depleted, plugged both cars into 150 kW chargers, and went upstairs to wait in line at the busy deli counter. The Hyundai hit 80 percent as we were paying for our sandwiches; the Toyota didn't get there until well after we had finished eating.
Does charging speed really matter? Maybe not, if you install a 240-volt home charger—and you'll want to, as the convenience of having one beats the stuffing out of relying on the public charging network—and mainly use the EV for commuting while also owning another car for long-distance trips. Remember, home charging means leaving every morning with a full "tank," and few Americans routinely drive more than 200 miles in a day. (That said, even on the slower Level 2 household plugs, the Hyundai's 10.9-kW charging gear takes power faster than the Toyota's 6.6-kW unit.) But if you're an inveterate road-tripper and/or a single-car household, the Hyundai's high-speed charging abilities will make a significant difference.
Let's Consider the Coin
We were ready to name Hyundai as the winner, but we hadn't yet considered the price difference: The Hyundai we were driving cost $4,390 more than the Toyota. The higher charge speeds might justify that extra cost, but what if we were homebodies to whom charging speed wasn't important? Is the Toyota the better value?
We debated this point and decided it wasn't. The Ioniq 5 has better accommodations and looks, and opting for the midrange SEL version will run $50,995. That means living without the big sunroof, the nifty head-up display, and a few other goodies, but we think that's a worthwhile sacrifice for the better overall car and experience.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Wins—But Don't Count Out the Toyota bZ4X
Although the Toyota emerged as our second-place finisher, we can make a good use case for it. The bZ4X's simplicity and approachability should not be undervalued: For someone who isn't a tech geek, who doesn't want to have to read the manual or watch a bunch of YouTube videos, who just wants to get in the damn car and drive it, the Toyota bZ4X is the way to go. With every automaker seeming to want to emulate Tesla and turn their EVs into high-tech showcases, the Toyota is refreshingly easy to use. It's the flip phone of electric cars, and we mean that as a compliment. We also can't ignore that the Toyota is the better-riding and better-driving of these two EVs.
Still, after extensive back-to-back evaluation, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 emerged as the winner. It's a marvelous electric SUV that is both practical and futuristic, and its employment of better electrical hardware makes it a long-legged, fast-charging adventurer. Nonetheless, the margin of victory over the Toyota was narrower than we expected. The 2022 bZ4X is a competent electric car with many of the attributes that have made Toyota one of the world's most popular car brands. It exits this competition with its head held high—or at least it will once it finishes charging.
2nd Place: 2022 Toyota bZ4X
Pros: Zippy acceleration, sure-footed handling, easy to operate.
Cons: Low back seat, moderate range, slow charging performance.
Verdict: An easy-to-approach EV for the layperson but not a great traveling companion.
1st Place: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Pros: Handsome and stylish looks, roomy interior, superfast charging.
Cons: Underdamped suspension, steeper learning curve, a little pricier.
Verdict: One of the best overall electric SUVs on the market right now.
POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 HTRAC Specifications 2023 Toyota bZ4x Limited AWD Specifications DRIVETRAIN LAYOUT Front- and rear-motor, AWD Front- and rear-motor, AWD MOTOR TYPE Permanent-magnet electric Permanent-magnet electric POWER (SAE NET) 99 hp (fr), 221 hp (rr), 320 hp (comb) 107 hp (fr), 107 hp (rr), 214 hp (comb) TORQUE (SAE NET) 105 lb-ft (fr), 321 lb-ft (rr), 446 lb-ft (comb) 124 lb-ft (fr), 124 lb-ft (rr), 248 lb-ft (comb) WEIGHT TO POWER 14.6 lb/hp 20.6 lb/hp TRANSMISSIONS 1-speed automatic 1-speed automatic AXLE RATIO 4.71:1/10.65:1 13.80:1/13.80:1 SUSPENSION, FRONT; REAR Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar Struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar; multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar STEERING RATIO 14.3:1 14.1:1 TURNS LOCK-TO-LOCK 2.7 2.8 BRAKES, F; R 12.8-in vented disc; 12.8-in disc 12.9-in vented disc; 12.5-in vented disc WHEELS 8.0 x 20-in cast aluminum 8.0 x 20-in cast aluminum TIRES 255/45R20 105V Michelin Primacy Tour A/S (M+S) 235/50R20 100V Bridgestone Turanza EL450 (M+S) DIMENSIONS WHEELBASE 118.1 in 112.2 in TRACK, F/R 64.2/64.6 in 63.0/63.4 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 182.5 x 74.4 x 63.0 in 184.6 x 73.2 x 65.0 in TURNING CIRCLE 39.3 ft 40.0 ft CURB WEIGHT (DIST F/R) 4,684 lb (51/49%) 4,402 lb (54/46%) SEATING CAPACITY 5 5 HEADROOM, F/R 39.1/37.5 in 38.6/37.1 in LEGROOM, F/R 41.7/39.4 in 42.1/35.3 in SHOULDER ROOM, F/R 57.7/57.7 in 57.8/56.0 in CARGO VOLUME, BEH F/R 59.3/27.2 cu ft 50.7/25.8 cu ft TEST DATA ACCELERATION TO MPH 0-30 1.6 sec 2.1 sec 0-40 2.3 3.1 0-50 3.3 4.3 0-60 4.4 5.8 0-70 5.8 7.7 0-80 7.6 10.0 0-90 9.7 12.7 0-100 12.3 16.0 PASSING, 45-65 MPH 2.3 3.1 QUARTER MILE 13.2 sec @ 102.7 mph 14.5 sec @ 95.9 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 123 ft 125 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.88 g (avg) 0.77 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.7 sec @ 0.71 g (avg) 27.4 sec @ 0.62 g (avg) CONSUMER INFO BASE PRICE $48,745 $49,995 PRICE AS TESTED $56,440 $52,050 AIRBAGS 6: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain 8: Dual front, front side, f/r curtain, front knee BASIC WARRANTY 5 years/60,000 miles 3 years/36,000 miles POWERTRAIN WARRANTY 10 years/100,000 miles (including battery) 5 years/60,000 miles (8 years/100,000 miles battery) ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE 5 years/Unlimited miles 2 years/25,000 miles BATTERY CAPACITY 77.4 kWh Li-Ion 72.8 kWh Li-Ion EPA CITY/HWY/COMB ECON 110/87/98 mpg-e 112/92/102 mpg-e (mfr est) EPA RANGE, COMB 256 miles 222 miles (mfr est) RECOMMENDED FUEL 240-volt electricity, 480-volt electricity 240-volt electricity, 480-volt electricity ON SALE Now Now Show AllYou may also like
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audi a4 Full OverviewProsFeels powerful and quickFunctional and understated interior designKiller audio system ConsFirm rideGlitchy and inconsistent techLesser mild hybrid setupAn exceptional sport sedan can be your everything. Everyday commuter, long-haul road tripper, airport taxi, canyon carver. The latest-generation Audi A4 was introduced for 2017 and got a midcycle refresh for 2020; as it sits this year, the German automaker's podium-ranked sport sedan is quite good but not exceptional. We tested a 2022 Audi A4 S Line to break it all down.Not Your Average AudiAudis are known as the subtle, under-the-radar choice in the luxury compact segment, compared to more ostentatious options like an extravagantly styled Alfa Romeo Giulia or a tail-happy BMW 3 Series. Our test car was not the dark gray, black interior, fade-to-the-background Audi that usually comes to mind.Instead of a grayscale bankermobile, the 2022 Audi A4 S Line that arrived in our test fleet was ticket-me Tango Red Metallic and featured a Black Optic Plus package. The latter decked out the badging, side mirrors, grille, rocker panel detail, and front and rear bumper trim in high-gloss black. The package also adds red brake calipers, unique interior trim, and a knockout set of 19-inch five-spoke wheels that look straight off a previous-generation Audi S4. If you want a luxury car that blends in, this version of the A4 isn't it.Don't worry about the styling being too over the top; there's enough go to match all the show. Our Audi A4 S Line test example was fitted with the more powerful of the A4's 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 options (badged A4 45 TFSI), producing 261 hp (more on that later) and 273 lb-ft of torque delivered to all four wheels with help from a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive.Opting for the more powerful engine buys the Audi S Line package, similar to what BMW would supply with its M Sport offerings. In the A4, it means a 0.9-inch-lower sport suspension, ventilated disc brakes with larger rotors, larger and wider wheels, and illuminated aluminum door sills. Think of the A4 S-Line as a would-be four-cylinder S4.How Quick Is an Audi A4?For a sport sedan lacking M, RS, or AMG badges, the 2022 Audi A4 S Line is legitimately quick. In our testing, the A4 S-Line reached 60 mph in 5.2 seconds on its way to a 14.0-second quarter mile at 98.8 mph.Based on the test figures and our on-road driving impressions, we wager this engine makes more than its claimed 261 hp. Two direct competitors, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti and Cadillac CT4-V, squirted to 60 mph in 5.2 and 5.1 seconds, but those cars produced 280 and 325 hp, respectively. They both weigh within 100 pounds of the A4 S Line.This Audi is a clear outlier, but that said, our test drivers said the A4's engine didn't feel as gutsy as the 300-hp four-cylinder found in the Volkswagen Arteon we tested on the same day.However, the test car did not drive like a standard A4. The S Line's larger ventilated brake rotors and the summer tires that came with the optional 19-inch wheels paid off, too, keeping the chassis stable under hard braking and capable of stopping from 60 mph in 111 feet—surprisingly good for a non-S4.The transmission was reluctant to downshift around our figure-eight course, even using the paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel, which dulled the car's thrust response significantly. Brakes were easy to modulate and turn-in was solid; the steering was notably precise, if slightly numb.As for the numbers, the A4 S Line completed its figure-eight lap in 25.9 seconds at 0.70 average g. Those figures slightly trail the Alfa's 25.7-second lap at 0.71 average g, but the A4 took a narrow victory on the skidpad at 0.92 g compared to the Giulia's 0.91.Living With the Audi A4Treating the 2022 Audi A4 S Line the way an owner might, the car has notable strengths and room for improvements. First, the interior. This cabin is outstanding and full of tech, minimalist but not barren, and a showcase of the build quality Audi is famous for.Among our favorite details is the shifter, a beefy thing that fills your palm just right. We also have praise for the controls' layout. Where higher-end Audis utilize a secondary touchscreen for climate controls, the A4 offers elegant physical buttons and switches that are easy to operate while keeping your eyes on the road. Little details like a frameless rearview mirror elevate the A4 above range-topping trims from sub-luxury brands.A special shout-out to the volume knob just to the right of the shifter; more recently redesigned Audis swapped this setup for a quarter-sized touchpad you must approach like a DJ scratching a tiny record. We'll take a physical rotating knob any day, especially if it controls the A4's outstanding 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio. The system is every bit as rich and powerful as buyers fantasize about when they debate shelling out for an optional premium setup. Lower frequencies at high volumes excited a light rattle from the driver's side door panel, but we chalk that up more to the wattage sent to those speakers than the A4's otherwise seemingly stellar build quality.The back seat isn't so bad, either. Sitting behind my own driving position at 6-foot-1, I still had a couple inches between my knees and the seat back, though my head was firmly against the headliner. There is zero downgrade in material quality, though, which is to say the leather upholstery is fitting of a luxury sedan. The cupholder design in the fold-down center armrest is clever but will struggle to accommodate American-sized soft drinks.The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the same unit you see in a six-figure Audi S8, and although the layout is intuitive and the display quick to respond, this is one area where the A4 could use work. There's no anchor point for your thumb to aid more accurate touch inputs, but that was the least of our issues.Numerous times upon starting, the screen would pop up mostly blank as if it had been tripped up loading an asset. Tapping one of the menu icons to the left returned the system to its normal operations. We also had issues with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay pairing; each took multiple attempts. Especially compared to the multimedia systems in the Tesla Model 3 and new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the A4 infotainment doesn't look as impressive, either.Driving the 2022 Audi A4 S Line was less frustrating. This powertrain is more than capable of scooting the A4 around with alacrity, and as we mentioned, we wouldn't be surprised to find it makes an extra 50 hp or so. The steering has purposeful weight, if little feel, and though the brakes are a little grabby, after an adjustment period by the driver they're easy to modulate and trustworthy in an emergency.Two other notes. First, this is an older version of Audi's 2.0-liter turbo-four, and although it gained a mild hybrid system for the 2021 model year, it's a 12-volt system rather than the 48-volt setup in newer Audis. (Remember, the most recent A4 redesign occurred for the 2017 model year.) If the new system is jalapeno, the A4's is bell pepper.The most notable consequence here relates to low-speed behavior. Audi's auto stop-start system is imperceptible in the new-for-2022 Audi A3 but sends a rumble reverberating through the A4's body. And the A4's dual-clutch gearbox can fumble while creeping along in traffic, which isn't an issue when a more powerful hybrid system can ease you along.Second, in S Line trim with our test car's sweet-looking 19-inch wheels, the A4 rides firmly and exhibits major road noise over anything but perfect pavement. The suspension pays off in body control—the 0.9-inch drop and wider rolling stock contribute more stability in corners—but detracts from the A4's aspirations as a do-everything sport sedan. Don't expect to experience a cosseting ride home from the airport, in other words.Flawed, Still FantasticThe 2022 Audi A4 S Line can't be your everything. It's too stiff and noisy to pass as a pure luxury car, the transmission can be clumsy for performance driving, and the tech isn't quite there for 2022. Rather, the A4 S Line is for buyers who put style and sportiness first but who will happily trade the extra power of an S4 or M340i for better fuel economy and more feature content at a similar price point.Looks good! More details?2022 Audi A4 Quattro S-Line Specifications BASE PRICE $43,095 PRICE AS TESTED $55,665 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan ENGINE 2.0L turbo direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4 POWER (SAE NET) 261 hp @ 5,250 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 273 lb-ft @ 1,600 rpm TRANSMISSION 7-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,712 lb (56/44%) WHEELBASE 111.0 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 187.5 x 72.7 x 55.3 in 0-60 MPH 5.2 sec QUARTER MILE 14.0 sec @ 98.8 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 111 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.92 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.9 sec @ 0.70 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 24/31/27 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 408 miles ON SALE Now Show All
Genesis is no amateur at creating vehicles as tailored for being driven as being chauffeured in. The Genesis G90 is as comfortable as flagship sedans get, but the automaker is expanding its first-class rear-seat horizons—this time with its flagship SUV. Enter the 2022 Genesis GV80 Prestige Signature, a four-passenger, two-row-only version of the luxury crossover that will serve as the pinnacle of the GV80 lineup.The GV80 Prestige Signature builds on the 3.5T Prestige trim, adding a wireless charger and captain's chairs in the second row and five-spoke dark finish wheels. Customers will only be able to pick between two exterior matte colors (Melbourne Gray and Matterhorn White), and two interior choices (Black with Olive Ash and Ultra Marine Blue/Dune with Olive Ash). Genesis also added a matte chrome trim to distinguish the fancy models from other GV80s.While Genesis hasn't revealed any pictures of this specific model's rear seats, we presume that area will look very similar to the Prestige Signature model sold overseas and pictured above. (The global version has a third row.) A center console between the two seats will allow backseat passengers to control the infotainment, and they'll have their own climate-control system. Although the model sold elsewhere has a rear-seat entertainment package, it doesn't look like we'll get that here. Besides enjoying a more comfortable seating position, those traveling in the rear will have access to Relax Mode, which reclines the seat to your preferred position.Under the hood, the Prestige Signature will be powered by the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine found across the lineup and which makes 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels via standard all-wheel drive.A total of just 600 GV80 Prestige Signature models will be sold in the U.S., each one carrying a $78,295 price tag. That's a $4,500 increase from the Prestige model. The 2022 Genesis GV80 Prestige Signature is starting to arrive to dealerships now, and we hope to drive it—or be chauffeured in it—in the coming weeks.
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