Head-to-head
2026 BMW i4 vs 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins clearly, 85.9 to 66.5, on tech & comfort, price. The BMW i4 is ahead on performance and safety.
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2026 BMW i4
The 2026 BMW i4 is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact hatchback with 7 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (18 …
vs
B2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is sold in the U.S. as an electric compact hatchback with 7 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Ioniq 5 RWD, is EP…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Clear winThe Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins clearly, 85.9 to 66.5, on tech & comfort, price. The BMW i4 is ahead on performance and safety.
Tech & comfort 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 leads by 99.2
Price 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 leads by 39.6
Performance 2026 BMW i4 leads by 39.5
| Category · weight | 2026 BMW i4overall 66.5 | 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5overall 85.9 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 60.4 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | ||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 92.8 | ||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | ||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 80 | 68.8 | ||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | ||||||||||||||
| Space & cargonot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 100 | 60.5 | ||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | ||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 0.8 | 100 | ||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | ||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | ||||||||||||
| Overall | 66.5 | 85.9 | ||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 5 of 7 categories compared
BMW i4: base trim i4 eDrive40 RWD · Hyundai Ioniq 5: base trim SE Standard Range RWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins
- It lists 48 standard driver-assist features against 0.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (63.5 points against 0.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
- It starts $22,900 lower ($35,000 against $57,900 base MSRP).
Where the 2026 BMW i4 answers
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 24 filed with NHTSA).
- It makes 335 hp against 168.
What they share
- The same EPA fuel cost ($650 a year).
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
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Specifications side by side
38 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $57,900 | $35,000 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Engine type (full description) | Single all-electric motor | Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) RWD |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 335 hp | 168 hp |
| Torque | 317 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (combined) | 118 mpg | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | — | 4.706 |
| Transmission speeds | 1 | 1 |
| Transmission type | automatic | Single-speed Reduction Gear |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | — | 6.1 in |
| Overall height | — | 63 in |
| Overall length | — | 183 in |
| Overall width | — | 74.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 118 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | — | 58.5 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | — | 26.3 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | — | 133 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | — | 39.8 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 38.7 in |
| Third-row headroom | 36.6 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41.7 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 39.4 in |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | — | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | — | Multi-link (5-link) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | — | Rack and Pinion (R-MDPS) |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | — | 19.7 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | Electric Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 325 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | — | 19 in |
| Wheel material | — | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | — | 235/55R19 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Bluelink+ |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | — | 57.7 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 57.7 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
146 features · differences first, then sharedSafety49 differ · 49 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection | — | std |
| Smart Cruise Control w/ Stop & Go (steering wheel-mounted) | — | std |
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Turning Detection | — | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | — | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | — | std |
| Airbags (Front - Advanced): Driver (1), Front passenger (1) | — | std |
| Driver and front passenger side-impact FR (Thorax) (2) | — | std |
| Highway Driving Assist 1 (HDA 1) | — | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | — | std |
| Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control (NSCC) | — | std |
| Rearview Camera | — | std |
| Side air curtains (front and rear passengers) with rollover sensors (2) | — | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Forward | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning - Reverse | — | std |
| Rear side airbags (2) | — | std |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) | — | std |
| 2.5-MPH Bumpers | — | std |
| ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) - 4 Wheels/Channels/Sensors | — | std |
| Adjustable front-seat shoulder belt anchors | — | std |
| Anti-theft system integrated with remote keyless entry and panic alarm | — | std |
| Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) | — | std |
| Bodyside reinforcements | — | std |
| Brake Assist | — | std |
| Brake Booster - Active Hydraulic Booster (Regenerative Brake) | — | std |
| Cruise controls, Smart | — | std |
| Drive Recorder (added to Parking Assistant Professional package) | opt | — |
| Electric Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | — | std |
| Electronic Shift Lock System & Ignition Key Interlock – Electronic type | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) | — | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Brake Assist | — | std |
| Forward Attention Warning (FAW) | — | std |
| Front crumple zone | — | std |
| High Beam Assist | — | std |
| Hillstart Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA) | — | std |
| Occupant Classification System (OCS) - Seat weight sensor and seat track sensor | — | std |
| Outside Mirrors - Blind-Spot Collision Indicator | — | std |
| Power window lock-out button | — | std |
| Rear child safety locks (Power-operated) | — | std |
| Rear LATCH Lower Anchors and Upper Tether Anchors | — | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) (door logic-type) | — | std |
| Regenerative Braking System with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with 4-wheel disc brakes | — | std |
| Seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters (all outboard seating positions) | — | std |
| Seatbelt Reminder (Driver and All Passengers) | — | std |
| Steering wheel haptic feedback (for LKA and BCA) | — | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management | — | std |
| Immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Individual Tire Indicator and Tire Fill Complete Alert | — | std |
Infotainment13 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch color touchscreen (ccNC) AM/FM/SiriusXM®/HD Radio audio system with onboard Navigation, Wireless Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay® | — | std |
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | — | std |
| 12.3-inch color touchscreen audio system with 6-speakers | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free w/ wireless audio streaming + phonebook transfer | — | std |
| Bluelink+ Connected Car System | — | std |
| Bluelink+ Remote Charge Access | — | std |
| Bluetooth® Multiple Device Connection (up to two devices) | — | std |
| Dynamic Voice Recognition | — | std |
| Hyundai Pay | — | std |
| Over-the-Air (OTA) Controller ECU and Map/Multimedia software update capability | — | std |
| Regenerative brake control paddles | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - Audio controls (Volume up/down, Seek up/down, Mode) | — | std |
| Three 1st row & Two 2nd row USB-C outlets (1x Power/Data & 4x Power) | — | std |
Convenience7 differ · 7 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Proximity key entry with push button start | — | std |
| Power door locks | — | std |
| Power windows with driver's auto-down/up | — | std |
| Proximity w/ detachable valet key & push button start (2) | — | std |
| Remote hood release | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with alarm and panic | — | std |
| 12-volt outlets - 2 total: 1 front, 1 cargo | — | std |
Climate5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filter | — | std |
| Dual Automatic Temperature Control w/ Driver Only mode | — | std |
| External temperature display | — | std |
| Heat Pump (AWD only for SE/SEL/XRT/Limited; standard for N AWD) | — | std |
| PTC Heater | — | std |
Seating8 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 Split Fold-down Manual Sliding Bench Seat w/ Reclining Seatback | — | std |
| 8-way power driver's seat | — | std |
| Heated front seats | — | std |
| 6-way adjustable passenger seat | — | std |
| Power lumbar support - Driver (SE) / Front (SEL, XRT, Limited, N AWD) | — | std |
| Seating capacity - 5 | — | std |
| Seating Surfaces - Stain-resistant Cloth | — | std |
| Rear center armrest with cupholders | — | std |
Interior32 differ · 32 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster w/ EV Technology Display | — | std |
| 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster w/ EV Technology Display - Speedometer, System Power Gauge, Charge level, Odometer, Trip odometer | — | std |
| Assist Grips (4) | — | std |
| Bottle holders - Front and rear | — | std |
| Center console - Storage compartment and armrest | — | std |
| Central dome light (with delay) and auto cut-off | — | std |
| Cupholders, Dual - Front center console-mounted | — | std |
| Cupholders, Dual - Rear seat center armrest-mounted | — | std |
| Door handles - Metallic-painted | — | std |
| Front center console - Fixed armrest storage with tray | — | std |
| Front trunk ("Frunk") LED light | — | std |
| Glass Controls | opt | — |
| Glove compartment - Damped and Illuminated | — | std |
| I/P switch illumination (hazard) | — | std |
| Illuminated power window switches | — | std |
| LED Interior Lights | — | std |
| Power window switches - Front and rear | — | std |
| Rear center armrest | — | std |
| Rear coat hanger (1) | — | std |
| Roof trim - Cloth | — | std |
| Seatback pocket(s) - Front passenger (SE/SEL/XRT) / Both (Limited) | — | std |
| Shift knob - Column-type (stalk); shift-by-wire | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - 3-Spoke, H-Tex® wrapped | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - Tilt + telescoping | — | std |
| Storage tray - Fixed Center Stack | — | std |
| Inside rearview mirror - Manual day/night | — | std |
| Sunvisors w/ Illumination | — | std |
| Cargo Light | — | std |
| Floor mats - Carpeted (PIO) | — | opt |
| Sunvisors w/ sliding function | — | std |
| Trip odometer | — | std |
| Door storage pockets - Front and rear | — | std |
Exterior20 differ · 21 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| "Aero" wiper blades | — | std |
| Acoustic Windshield | — | std |
| Active grille shutters (lower front grille) | — | std |
| Charge Port Door - Power open and close | — | std |
| Door Handles (Flush-type) - Bodycolor, Automatic operation | — | std |
| Front 2-speed/variable intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | — | std |
| LED headlights - MFR-type | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Outside Mirrors - Heated | — | std |
| Outside Mirrors - LED Turn Signal Indicators | — | std |
| Rear spoiler - Integrated with LED CHMSL | — | std |
| Rear wiper/washer | — | std |
| Roof antenna, shark-fin - Black | — | std |
| Shadowline package (Black mirror caps and M Sport brakes with blue callipers) | opt | — |
| Privacy Glass - Rear/quarter/back (heated) glass | — | std |
| Rear window defroster with timer | — | std |
| Solar front glass - Front Door, Windshield | — | std |
| LED Center High-Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) | — | std |
| Mud Guards Front/Rear (PIO) | — | opt |
| Spare Tire - Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) | std | std |
Powertrain6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery preconditioning function | — | std |
| Drive Mode Select (Eco → Normal → Sport → Snow) | — | std |
| Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) | — | std |
| Silicon carbide (SiC) inverters | std | — |
| Transmission Type - Shift-by-wire | — | std |
| Ultra-Fast Charger (up to 800V / 350 kW) | — | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front suspension - MacPherson strut with High-Performance Damper | — | std |
| Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) - Power assisted, rack-mounted | — | std |
| Rear suspension - Multi-link (5-link) with High-Performance Damper | — | std |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo net (PIO) | — | opt |
| Cargo tie-down anchors (4) | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
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Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPBMW i4
Safety Signal 100 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 0
Owner complaints 1 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Service Brakes (1), Power Train (1), Steering (1)
Top recalls
No recalls on file.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Safety Signal 80 B
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / ★★★★★
Recalls 2 · 1 critical
Owner complaints 24 · 0 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Electrical System (11), Lane Departure (6), Forward Collision Avoidance (4)
Top recalls
- critical Electrical System 26V068000 · 27 vehicles
- moderate Electrical System 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| BMW i4i4 eDrive40 RWD | Hyundai Ioniq 5SE Standard Range RWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $57,900 (base trim) | $35,000 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $57,900 – $70,700 3 trims | $35,000 – $59,900 10 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV | BEV |
| EPA configuration compared | i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupe (18 inch wheels) | Ioniq 5 Standard range |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 118 | 115 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $650 | $650 |
| EV range | 333 mi | 245 mi |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 BMW i4 or the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins clearly, 85.9 to 66.5, on tech & comfort, price. The BMW i4 is ahead on performance and safety. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 scores 85.9 and the 2026 BMW i4 66.5. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 BMW i4 or the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts lower — $35,000 against $57,900, a gap of $22,900 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 BMW i4 or the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
2026 BMW i4: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 0 recalls. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5: no NHTSA rating yet, grade B, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 BMW i4 and the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 wins: it lists 48 standard driver-assist features against 0, lists more comfort and tech equipment (63.5 points against 0.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½), and starts $22,900 lower ($35,000 against $57,900 base MSRP). Where the 2026 BMW i4 answers: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (1 against 24 filed with NHTSA) and makes 335 hp against 168. What they share: the same EPA fuel cost ($650 a year).