2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often seen as a vehicle that blended into the crowd of compact crossovers. Its design was typical of the segment, with a similar "daylight opening" to its competitors, making it hard to distinguish from other models. While there were some unique features like the grille and chromed plastic accents, the CR-V was not a vehicle chosen for its exterior aesthetics. Colour options were limited, with a predominance of neutral tones, and the interior offered a modern look with angular seat designs and upscale materials in higher trims. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 presented a bold and futuristic design. It was the first model in Hyundai's new Ioniq sub-brand, dedicated to electric vehicles. The Ioniq 5's exterior featured a unique Parametric Pixel design, with pixelated lighting elements throughout, giving it a concept car appearance. The interior embraced a "Living Space" theme, offering a minimalist and relaxing environment with sustainable materials. The cabin was spacious, thanks to the Electric Global Modular Platform, and included innovative features like a moveable centre console and a zero-gravity relaxation mode for the driver's seat.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 190 horsepower. It offered smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in about 8 seconds. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional automatic transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. Its suspension setup provided decent handling and ride quality, typical of the segment.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrains, with rear-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. The base model featured a 125-kW motor with 168 horsepower and a range of 354 kilometres. The long-range variant produced 225 horsepower and offered 488 kilometres of range. The AWD model delivered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was middle-of-the-road for its segment, with a 0-100 km/h time of just over 5 seconds in AWD configuration. It featured four drive modes, including Sport, and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative braking.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space for five passengers and their gear. It boasted over 100 litres more interior volume than the Toyota RAV4 and provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V offered manual, power, or hands-free tailgate operation. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional cargo.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform, maximized interior space with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. It offered a total interior volume of 3,786 litres, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's interior featured a flat floor and a moveable centre console, providing flexibility and comfort. The leatherette seats were supportive and comfortable, catering to a range of driver sizes.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had varying audio setups, while higher trims like the Touring featured a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. The CR-V offered multiple charging ports, with wireless charging available on the Touring trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with advanced technology, including a high-voltage energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and over-the-air updates. Its 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, offering standard safety features like a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning. The only feature not standard on the base trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 included Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It featured lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. The Ioniq 5 also offered Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. A head-up display with augmented reality overlays was available, though it could be distracting in practice.