If you have watched very many of my YouTube videos, then you know that I am a HUGE fan of the Tesla Model Y - much in part due to TECHNOLOGY built into the ELECTRIC SUV! The Tesla Model Y may be my FAVORITE electric SUV, the HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 is a close second!

While the Model Y does beat the IONIQ 5 in several important ways (like CARGO ROOM, RANGE & TECHNOLOGY) and has a number of Tesla SOFTWARE exclusives – the RETRO INSPIRED IONIQ 5 does OFFER 8 EXCLUSIVE features that you CANNOT get with the Model Y – including the first one I would like to cover and that is 800V charging.

1. 800V CHARGING

The Tesla Model Y is no slouch when it comes to fast charging. At a Tesla V3 Supercharger, it can go from a 10% state of charge to an 80% state of charge in under 30 minutes adding almost 230 miles of driving range in that period of time. When you add to this the convenience of the Tesla SUPERCHARGING NETWORK, you have a combination that NO ONE HAS YET TO BEAT. However, thanks to the 800V architecture built into the Hyundai IONIQ 5 as Hyundai mentions on their website:

“The ultra-fast charging capability gives you over 60 miles of range with just a five-minute charge, or you can charge it from 10 percent to 80 percent in just under 18 minutes.”

In the official IONIQ 5 spec sheet, Hyundai specifies that this 18 minutes charge time from 10% to 80% is when it is connected to a >250 kW charger – but even when connected to a 150 kW charger it is still able to complete the 10% to 80% charge in just 25 minutes which is a decent amount fast than the Tesla Model Y and equates to more mile being added per minute of charging.

Do keep in mind that these fast-charging capabilities are only as good as the charging network behind it – and Tesla still has a BIG EDGE over any other EV brand with their exclusive fast charging network.

At some point in the future, Tesla will be opening up the network to other EVs, but since this has not happened yet as of the recording of this video, the SUPERCHARGER network is still a TESLA EXCLUSIVE PERK.

Also, once the MODEL Y 2.0 equipped with Tesla’s new 4680 batteries (built at GIGA TX and BERLIN) is available – it will likely close the charging speed gap and may even match the charging speeds of the IONIQ 5 – however as it sits now, the IONIQ 5 does technically charge faster than the Tesla Model Y.

2. VEHICLE TO LOAD

Both the IONIQ 5 and the Tesla Model Y have decently large battery packs with well over 70 kWh of usable energy capacity, however only the IONIQ 5 has a “TWO WAY” on board charger that allows you to power other small devices and ever charge other EVs with it’s “Vehicle to Load” functionality. The Ioniq 5 includes a built in 120V AC outlet positioned below the back seats of the IONIQ 5, and with an external adapter, you can even use the charging port as an EXTERNAL AC power source.

When it comes to the power output of their V2L system, Hyundai mentions that it is capable of “1.9 kW peak power using a standard 120-volt outlet.” For a comparison in the US, the standard 120V outlet rated at 15 amps has 1.8 kW of peak power, so this 1.9 kW power rating should be enough to power most standard 120V volt devices.

3. HEADS UP DISPLAY

The HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 can be equipped with an optional “Heads-up Display with Augmented reality Functions – which is something that Tesla does not offer on the Model Y. This heads-up display is configured to show your current speed, navigation instructions, and various alerts like when a car enters your blind spot – helping the driver keep their eyes on the road.

4. ANDROID AUTO & APPLE CARPLAY

The Tesla Model Y has a very impressive multimedia system with smart phone connectivity that I personally feel is superior other systems, but not everyone agrees with me. For those who prefer ANDROID AUTO and/or APPLE CARPLAY, you are in luck as both come standard on the IONIQ 5.

5. HANDS FREE SMART LIFTGATE

Like the Model Y, the Ioniq 5 features a POWER LIFTGATE on the SEL trim level and above – however HYUNDAI added a very useful feature not available on the Model Y they refer to as a “SMART TAILGATE”. In the settings menu of the IONIQ 5, you can activate this smart feature so as Hyundai states the “…tailgate will automatically open when approaching the tailgate with the smart key.” I can definitely see this being a very handy feature especially when your hands are full.

6. RECLINING FRONT SEATS with LEGREST

Do you like to take catnaps in your car (not while you are driving of course)? Not only do the seats in the IONIQ 5 as Hyundai mentions on their website “…recline to the optimum angle...”, But Hyundai also offers a built-in leg rest to provide further comfort should you decide to lay back relax and take a nap in your IONIQ 5 while you aren't driving..

7. PANORAMIC ROOF with RETRACTABLE POWER SHADE

If you opt for the LIMITED trim level of the IONIQ 5, it comes equipped with a FIXED panoramic glass roof similar to the MODEL Y. However, unlike the MODEL Y, the IONIQ 5 has a BUILT IN RETRACTABLE shade to cover the glass panoramic roof – which is a nice touch.

8. VENTILATED FRONT SEATS

Like the Model Y, the Ioniq 5 features heated front seats, but if you opt for the LIMITED variant of the IONIQ 5, you also get VENTILATED seats which is a featured Tesla does not currently offer on the Model Y.

In the end, while the MODEL Y is still my favorite Electric SUV for many reasons as I have mentioned in the past, I cannot help but love the IONIQ 5 as well. I am VERY PLEASED to see such a great EV hit the US market in the very near future and it does offer a great alternative if the Tesla Model Y is not your thing.