If you're looking for a practical electric family car, you have plenty of options. Two strong contenders come from the Hyundai-Kia group: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV3. While they share some corporate DNA, they offer different takes on the EV formula.
The Ioniq 5 brings a spacious, retro-futuristic design that hides its large SUV-like proportions, while the EV3 offers a bold, blocky look in a more compact package. Both aim to make electric family life easy, but which one is right for you?
Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Kia EV3
Practicality
Hyundai Ioniq 5 practicality score: 5/5
Kia EV3 practicality score: 4/5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 might look like a standard hatchback in photos, but it is actually the size of a large family SUV. This translates to a spacious cabin with generous legroom in the back. The rear seats slide and recline, and the 520-litre boot provides plenty of room for family luggage.
The Kia EV3 is a smaller car, but it still does a good job of maximizing interior space. The cabin feels light and welcoming, with plenty of headroom and legroom for rear passengers. Its 460-litre boot is a decent size, though the rear seats lack the sliding functionality found in the Hyundai. Both cars feature a handy 'frunk' under the bonnet for storing charging cables out of the way.
Driving Impressions
Hyundai Ioniq 5 driving score: 4/5
Kia EV3 driving score: 4/5
Neither of these EVs is designed to be a sports car, but they both offer a pleasant driving experience. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a heavy car, and it feels it, but this translates into a serene and settled ride on the motorway. It is a comfortable cruiser with intuitive regenerative braking modes that make town driving easy.
The Kia EV3 feels a bit more brisk and offers good body control through corners. It handles predictably, but the trade-off is a slightly unsettled ride. It can feel a bit jiggly over sharp bumps and a little floaty over longer undulations. Overall, the Hyundai offers a slightly more relaxing drive, but both are capable daily companions.
Technology and Equipment
Hyundai Ioniq 5 technology and equipment score: 5/5
Kia EV3 technology and equipment score: 3/5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 scores highly here thanks to a generous list of standard equipment and an intuitive infotainment setup. You get twin 12.3-inch screens that are easy to navigate, along with features like adaptive cruise control and wireless smartphone mirroring across the range.
The Kia EV3 also features a 12.3-inch touchscreen, but it loses points for its ergonomics. The touch-sensitive climate control panel is partially hidden by the steering wheel, making it tricky to use on the move. Additionally, a heat pump—which helps preserve range in cold weather—is only available as an optional extra on the top trim level, whereas the Hyundai feels a bit more generously equipped overall.
Running Costs
Hyundai Ioniq 5 running costs score: 4/5
Kia EV3 running costs score: 3/5
As an electric vehicle, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be cheap to run if you can charge at home, especially on an off-peak tariff. It is reasonably priced compared to key rivals and benefits from ultra-rapid charging capabilities, making long trips more convenient.
The Kia EV3 has a lower starting price, but it is still quite a lot of money for a compact crossover. It offers strong efficiency and a long driving range, particularly if you opt for the larger 81kWh battery. While the Kia's servicing costs are fairly standard, it does come with the brand's excellent seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, which adds valuable peace of mind.
CarGurus Buyer Insights
|
Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
Kia EV3 |
| CarGurus expert rating |
5 out of 5 |
4 out of 5 |
| CarGurus user rating |
5.0 out of 5 |
0.0 out of 5 |
| Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus* |
24.4% |
22.2% |
| Overall CarGurus rating |
4.4 out of 5 |
3.8 out of 5 |
The Verdict
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Overall CarGurus rating: 4.4/5
Kia EV3 Overall CarGurus rating: 3.8/5
Choosing between these two electric family cars comes down to your budget and space requirements. The Kia EV3 is a distinctive and practical compact SUV with a great warranty and a solid driving range.
However, based on our CarGurus Buyer Insights, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the clear winner in this comparison. It secures a higher Overall CarGurus rating thanks to its superior practicality, more comfortable ride, and better-executed interior technology. Its ultra-rapid charging speeds and vast cabin space make it one of the most capable electric family cars on the market. If your budget allows, the Ioniq 5 is a brilliant choice that is hard to fault.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Pros and Cons
| Pros |
Cons |
| Very spacious and practical interior |
Driving experience could be more polished |
| Packed with safety equipment and technology |
Relatively cheap-looking inside |
| Ultra-rapid charging speeds |
Not as reliable as the related Kia EV6 |
Kia EV3 Pros and Cons
| Pros |
Cons |
| Extrovert styling |
Unsettled ride |
| Loads of space for a car of its size |
Too many touch-sensitive controls inside |
| Long range |
Some cheap-feeling interior plastics |
*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from June 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.
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