Although extremely similar mechanically, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 surprisingly different. One major area where they differ is their interior. And since this is where you’ll spend most of your time with each vehicle, it’s important to know which one suits you best. So we’ve taken the time to research each and highlight their differences in design, usability, and space to help you figure out which electric shutter might be the best fit.
General design
Like their outside, That and Hyundai highlight distinct styling that have distinctly different goals. The Ioniq 5 is clearly designed to be a modern, light and airy machine. The door panels are extremely minimalist, even hiding the access points behind a simple, blocky handrail. The dash is similarly simple and short. All the space under the dashboard is also open and the center console slides with a large open storage area. The teleporter also located on the column, further expanding the area under the dash. It’s the unusual location below the windshield wiper stem, where many cars put the cruise control stalk, which is certainly unusual, as is its function: twist down to reverse, twist up to steer , press the button at the end to park.
All material is muted in color, black or subdued gray (although Digital Teal paint cars can apply that color to the doors and dash). There are few shiny or flashy decorations. It doesn’t even have a chrome badge on the steering wheel, just four little squares. Those squares are repeated throughout the cabin, in the form of printed motifs on the door panels, or perforations in the available faux leather upholstery. At night, the ambient lighting is similarly soft and soothing, with most of the light reflected through the door panels, with the lights hidden behind the handrails.
The Kia EV6, especially in the GT-Line trim, is much flashier and sportier. The dashboard protrudes further and it has all sorts of trim. The top section is decorated with stripes, and the center section of the dash features customizable ambient light segments. The controls seem to go down further and they are almost met by a tall and long center console. This panel has a number of controls along with a gear lever dial that practically fits in the palm of your hand. It all helps to create a more futuristic cockpit feel.
All materials are much darker, but with high contrast. Our model features black faux suede with bright white faux leather trim. There are more shiny metal accents, such as the ring fitted along the bottom of the handlebars. The low roofline and dark cladding give the impression of a wrap-around, form-appropriate cockpit.
Control
This is the area where the two EVs begin to show they are related. Both rely on a pair of 12.3-inch screens for tools and infotainment. They can be skinned differently, with distinct color schemes and fonts, but their layout and functionality are essentially identical underneath. They look great in both cars, run smoothly and are quite legible. The touchscreen is equally responsive with easy-to-press icons. The menu isn’t overly complicated or in-depth, so it’s a solid all-round experience.
Below the screen are more dedicated buttons, and this is where the two cars separate. They have very similar controls, but they are presented differently. The Hyundai (pictured above) has an array of physical off buttons and a volume knob to assist with the infotainment functions. Below that is a bank of touch-sensitive buttons for control most of climate functions. What’s odd is the lack of buttons that control the heated seats. Those require displaying a more detailed climate menu on the infotainment screen.
Kia centralizes all of these controls into a single line of touch-sensitive buttons (see video above). Only the climate control or infotainment controls can be used at a time. One of the buttons is a dedicated switcher. It’s a fun little trick to have these multifunction buttons and knobs, while also helping to streamline EV6 the appearance of the cabin. However, in practice, it is a bit annoying to have to switch between these two modes if you want to adjust the air temperature then the volume. And like the Hyundai, the climate buttons don’t cover everything, so some functions have to be adjusted on the screen.
There is another strange user experience in the area of phone charging and connectivity. In the Ioniq 5, the wireless phone charger is located at the bottom of the center console, along with the wired charging ports, making accessibility a bit of a hassle. The EV6 is better with a wireless charger on top of the dashboard. However, both cars have the problem of not having wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This means you can charge or plug it in wirelessly, which is another inconvenience. And it also beats the EV6’s slight advantage in terms of phone convenience.
Seat
Solid seats are designed to match the overall focus of each vehicle. The Ioniq 5 has the pair’s real performers thanks to its built-in footrests in the driver’s seat designed to be used in conjunction with the fully reclined seat back. This is a good idea when you’re sitting around waiting to charge, it won’t work for everyone. For a long-legged rider like you really, it’s not wide enough to really give much support. If you are shorter, it can be helpful.
One of the other key advantages of Ioniq is headroom. Its taller roofline means more headroom front and back – indeed, taller people can see their hair combed through the Kia’s bangs. It also contributes to the lighter, airier feel of the Ioniq.
The EV6 lacks many fancy seating features, but GT-Line models are available with some very sporty faux leather upholstery. It matches the sportier design of the car, but it also helps keep you more stationary so you don’t slip when taking advantage of those driving dynamics. The seat design does seem to add a bit of fixation, but it’s not particularly noticeable.
Apart from these differences, the seats of the two cars are quite similar. They have a good amount of padding, though not much lumbar support or much shape. The bottom cushion is a bit short, but the angle provides good thigh support. Leg and knee room in both rows is generous, with plenty of space for people and rear-facing child seats equally. We also quite like the adjustable recline in the rear seats.
Commodity space
Just as different body shapes have affected passenger space, the Ioniq 5 and EV6 each have different amounts of cargo space. The conventional and taller design of the Ioniq 5 gives it more space. With the rear seats raised, it has 27.2 cubic feet, and folding those seats expands the space to 59.3. The EV6 has 24.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet when folded, still proving to be large enough to fit all of our bags. Standard baggage check (we have not tested the Ioniq 5 yet).
Inference
Objectively, Ioniq 5 has a trivial better furniture. It’s a bit more spacious, and its controls are a bit more user-friendly. But that is much less important than the subjective aspects. If you’re looking for a car that’s more like a relaxing lounge, then the Hyundai is the way to go. But if you’re looking for something like the sport cockpit of a spaceship, Kia brings your captain’s seat. And you really can’t go wrong with either.
