2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was an electrified spinoff, distinctly different from the original Ioniq that debuted in 2016. Hyundai aimed to make Ioniq a separate EV brand, much like its N performance sub-brand. The Ioniq 5 was the first model to debut under this new branding, designed with a numeric naming strategy—sedans with even numbers and crossovers with odd numbers.

The Ioniq 5 featured a polished exterior with minimal character lines, avoiding the aggressive "Look at me!" styling. It had what Hyundai called a Parametric Pixel design—a tech-infused aesthetic reminiscent of pixelated graphics from older video games. These pixel designs were evident in all the lights: headlights, taillights, daytime running lights, and integrated turn signals. Even the car's lighting elements used tiny dot-matrices to create an illusion of larger pixel shapes.

Further adding to its unique design were aerodynamic wheels with progressively ornamental designs that extended into the fender flares, accompanied by five horizontal lines creating silver-contrast plastic bits around the bottom half of the vehicle. Inside, the cabin offered a stark contrast to the exterior's busy details. Hyundai's "Living Space" design provided a mellow environment with hues of black, gray, and dark green, complemented by "Relaxation" mode seats that allowed the driver to recline in a zero-gravity resting position. This serene interior was further enhanced by the use of sustainable materials like recycled fibers and bio-materials, making the Ioniq 5 both comfortable and eco-friendly.

In comparison, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design, which, though elegant, was less flashy than its competitors. Land Rover limited attention-grabbing options to flashy paint colors and diamond-turned multi-spoke 23-inch wheels.

Our test vehicle came in subdued Eiger Gray paint paired with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, which lent the SUV a classy yet understated look. Inside, the Range Rover Sport exuded luxury with its Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, featuring aluminum and shiny black trim. It was available in multiple trims, including SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e, each offering various external and internal features designed to enhance comfort and style.

Key highlights included the slimmest LED headlights ever for a Land Rover, flush-mounted door handles that deployed upon sensing your presence, and surface LED technology on taillights. These design elements helped the SUV achieve a drag coefficient of 0.29, contributing to its aerodynamic performance. The cabin emphasized ultra-luxury materials like Windsor leather upholstery and Ultrafabrics, supported by tech enhancements that provided a high-tech, luxurious atmosphere.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. Available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, the Ioniq 5 came standard with rear-wheel drive (RWD) but offered all-wheel drive (AWD) across all trims. The base model SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 hp and a 220-mile range. The extended-range lineup offered a 168-kW rear motor offering 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 303-mile range. Opting for AWD changed the dynamics with a dual-motor system, providing a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, albeit with a reduced range of 256 miles.

Our test vehicle, the AWD Limited trim, handled the varied terrain of San Diego County with composure, thanks to its four drive modes, including Sport mode. While Sport mode added excitement, it also significantly reduced range, something to keep in mind for long trips. The Ioniq 5 came with paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking levels, which added an element of engagement in driving. Hyundai also ensured cabin quietness with features like aerodynamic wheels with acoustic tires and sound-deadening materials.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to merge refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement. It came with various powertrains; the SE and SE Dynamic featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The SE Dynamic boasted up to 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, while the SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft.

A plug-in hybrid drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e trim, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 51 miles of electric-only range. Early models also offered a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine, though its availability was uncertain at the time. The Range Rover Sport accomplished 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, plus a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds.

On-road, the Range Rover Sport combined a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness with adaptive damping air suspension for a smooth, controlled ride. Standard driving modes and advanced brake and roll stability controls contributed to its capability. While the SUV excelled in quiet and comfortable highway cruising, it fell short compared to sport-tuned competitors from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz in terms of agility on twisting roads. Off-road, however, the Range Rover Sport was unbeatable with its advanced suspension system, air-suspension adjustable ground clearance, and myriad off-road tech features.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), designed for advanced EV capabilities and maximizing interior space. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5 was sized like an electric SUV. It featured a longer wheelbase of 118.1 inches, surpassing both the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade (114.2 inches) and competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E (117.4 inches) and Volkswagen ID.4 (108.9 inches).

The Ioniq 5 offered 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume and a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, making it roomier than its competitors. The cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet, which, while less than the Volkswagen ID.4 (30.3 cu-ft) and Ford Mustang Mach-E (29.7 cu-ft), highlighted the vehicle's preference for passenger comfort. Features like a moveable center console, leatherette seats, and soft touchpoints throughout the cabin contributed to the "Living Space" theme, enhancing both comfort and usability.

For the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the redesign preserved the Range Rover Command Driving Position, providing a tall, airy feel when behind the wheel. The vehicle's air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. Front seats offered 20-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and optional massage features. However, the rear seat, though bucketed and supportive, was tight for taller passengers and had a notably reclined angle.

Cargo capacity in the Range Rover Sport measured 31.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 53 cubic feet with them down. While this was more than the Ioniq 5's cargo space, the vehicle had some practical storage solutions like deep bins and a useful contraption with integrated straps to secure smaller items. Nonetheless, the narrow rear entry and the hard front seatback panels detracted from the otherwise luxurious rear seating experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was packed with cutting-edge technology. Its high-voltage, energy-dense battery system supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity within 18 minutes. The vehicle-to-load capability allowed it to charge other devices and even power homes. Hyundai's partnership with Electrify America offered two years of free fast-charging sessions at numerous stations, a notable advantage for EV owners.

Internally, the Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app for EV charge management, over-the-air updates, digital key functionality, and superbly designed 12.3-inch screens for both the instrument cluster and infotainment system. These screens were finished with an anti-glare coating, ensuring clear visibility whether you are wearing polarized sunglasses or not.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which provided haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, the Pivi Pro system was reported to be confusing and difficult to navigate, which took away from its usability. The onboard digital assistant struggled with simple commands, further complicating user experience.

On the plus side, the Range Rover Sport boasted impressive Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts, coupled with Active Noise Cancellation technology for a high-quality listening experience. A wireless smartphone charging pad was conveniently tucked under the infotainment screen.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system that adapted to the driver's behavior through machine learning. A head-up display with augmented reality overlays was available, although some users found it distracting.

Official crash safety ratings for the Ioniq 5 were not released at the time, but Hyundai's recent history of high IIHS Top Safety awards suggested that the Ioniq 5 would perform well in safety evaluations.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included a host of advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also featured parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and Wade Sensing for safe water crossings.

Adaptive cruise control with steering assist was part of our evaluation, although its performance was found lacking in responsiveness and smoothness. The steering assist technology struggled on freeway curves, requiring the driver to frequently override the system.