2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Tesla Model Y in Highland Park, IL

When it comes to pure horsepower, the Model Y has the numbers. Its two motors, located on the front and rear axles, produce a combined output of 384 horsepower. The Model Y also gives you a little extra towing muscle, with the ability to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500 pounds.

Both of these small crossovers have luxurious aims, but the Ioniq 5 takes the lead with its surprisingly roomy cabin. The all-new Ioniq 5 is technically a compact crossover, but inside, it has the passenger space of a midsize model. This five-passenger EV is an excellent choice for green-minded families.

Inside the Tesla Model Y, you’ll find a lot of headroom in both rows. Strangely, though, in spite of being a crossover, the rear visibility resembles that of a sports coupe, with a high, small window that cuts off your view of the street.

Hyundai is rolling out a lot of cool new features with the Ioniq 5. You’ll even be able to use its battery pack as a backup generator, and an optional connector will be available to power electronics outside the vehicle, like electric bikes or camping gear. You also get an impressive collection of safety aids, including blind-spot monitoring with collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist. The new heads-up display also puts navigation prompts on the windshield.

Although the Tesla Model Y can’t act as a backup generator, it does have some tech-savvy features of its own. Like other Tesla models, this small crossover has a big, 15-inch infotainment touchscreen. Unfortunately, though, Tesla doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Autos: smartphone integration features that you’ll find on every Ioniq 5. The Model Y’s driver aids have also been known to produce some hiccups. For example, the stop-and-go adaptive cruise control feature can stop a little too abruptly or follow the vehicle up ahead a little too closely.