

Matt Robinson
2026 Audi Q3 review: Quick drive
2 Months Ago

News Editor
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric vehicle (EV) lineup has been dramatically pared back for model year 2026 (MY26), and the base price has risen by $6400 – following range-wide price increases for MY25 of $2300.
Hyundai has axed the 63kWh battery/125kW electric motor configuration that previously opened the electric SUV range, leaving all Ioniq 5s with an 84kWh battery.
The range has been pared back to just four variants: the base Ioniq 5 with rear-wheel drive, now with a new 19-inch alloy wheel design; the Ioniq 5 Elite RWD (formerly the Dynamiq); the all-wheel drive N Line Premium (replacing the Epiq); and the flagship N.
The old Dynamiq and Epiq were both previously offered with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, and with the N Line package as an option.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.

New to the range is Hyundai Digital Key 2.0, which allows you to unlock and start the car using your smartphone or watch, though the process differs depending on whether your device has near-field communication (NFC) and ultra-wideband (UWB) capability.
Devices without UWB will require you to tap it against the door handle to unlock the car, and on a NFC wireless reader inside to start it. Those with UWB, in contrast, don’t require you to take out your phone at all.
This digital key can be stored on one device and shared with up to 15 compatible devices, and doesn’t need a mobile network signal to work – good news if your smartphone is all out of charge!
But while there’s new tech with the introduction of Hyundai Digital Key 2.0, one tech feature has been axed: the previously available digital side mirrors.

Also missing from the options list – except on the Elite – is a light interior colourway, a decision Hyundai says was made “in line with customer demand”.
The Ioniq 5 N remains atop the range, and now comes standard exclusively with a panoramic fixed-glass Vision Roof.
The MY26 N also gains features recently rolled out to the MY25 Ioniq 5 lineup, including LED headlights with Hyundai’s Intelligent Front Lighting System plus a steering wheel with haptic feedback and an auto up/down function for all windows.
Hyundai also says the Ioniq 5 N’s N Drift Optimiser Pro system has been updated with “more customisation options and greater functionality”, while its N Active Sound system “logic” has been updated.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | $76,200 |
| 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Elite | $81,200 |
| 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Line Premium | $91,700 |
| 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | $115,000 |
| Specifications | Ioniq 5 RWD | Ioniq 5 AWD | Ioniq 5 N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single electric motor | Dual electric motors | Dual electric motors |
| Battery | 84kWh | 84kWh | 84kWh |
| Power | 168kW | 74kW + 165kW (239kW total) | 166kW + 282kW (448kW total) |
| Torque | 350Nm | 255Nm + 350Nm | 370Nm + 400Nm |
| Drive type | Rear-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 570km (19-inch wheels) 530km (20-inch wheels) | 495km | 448km |
Hyundai backs the Ioniq 5 with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty.

The vehicle warranty drops down to five years if you don’t service within the Hyundai dealer network, giving you another incentive – along with lifetime premium roadside support and satellite navigation updates – to stick with the dealership.
24-month/30,000km and 48-month/60,000km pre-paid service plans are available. Here’s how they’re priced:
| Variant | 24-month plan | 48-month plan |
|---|---|---|
| Ioniq 5 RWD | $659 | $1318 |
| Ioniq 5 AWD | $659 | $1318 |
| Ioniq 5 N AWD | $659 | $1340 |
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a five-star rating from safety authority ANCAP, based on testing conducted in 2021. The Ioniq 5 N remains unrated by the organisation.

| Category | Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 88 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 87 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 63 per cent |
| Safety assist | 89 per cent |
Standard safety equipment across the range includes:
The base Ioniq 5 comes standard with the following equipment:
The Elite adds:
The N Line Premium adds:
The N adds:
Premium paint is a $750 option, with matte finishes costing more at $1000.
There are 10 colours available in total (nine on the Ioniq 5 N), with Celadon Grey Matte new for 2026.
All Ioniq 5s have a black interior apart from the Elite, which is offered with a choice of two light-coloured interiors: Dove Grey/Dark Teal and Dove Grey/Dark Pebble Grey.
Where expert car reviews meet expert car buying – CarExpert gives you trusted advice, personalised service and real savings on your next new car.
William Stopford is an automotive journalist with a passion for mainstream cars, automotive history and overseas auto markets.


Matt Robinson
2 Months Ago


CarExpert.com.au
2 Months Ago


Damion Smy
2 Months Ago


James Wong
19 Days Ago


Max Davies
10 Days Ago


Matt Campbell
6 Days Ago