Lexus NX Hybrid vs Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid presented a bold and intricate design, characterized by its large, dark spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. Its aggressive front end was complemented by a sporty yet understated profile, featuring smooth, rounded edges and body-coloured fender flares. The F Sport elements, including dark trim and 20-inch wheels, added to its road-focused appeal, while the fastback roof shape echoed the style of coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX Hybrid combined sportiness with modern technology, offering a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen that created a cockpit-like feel. The interior was further enhanced by dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and optional two-tone Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, providing a high-quality and upscale atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 blended a 1980s hatchback aesthetic with modern crossover elements, resulting in a unique and attractive design. Its profile was defined by angular lines and a triangular shape, with dark cladding around the wheels adding to its crossover flavour. The front featured a visor slit with rectangular headlights, while the rear boasted an integrated spoiler and darkened panels. Inside, the Ioniq 5 prioritized utility with a touch of technology, offering cloth upholstery as standard and synthetic leather in the Ultimate Package. The interior was equipped with dual 12.3-inch screens and touch controls for the climate system, creating a somewhat sterile but modern EV environment.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, specifically the NX 350h F Sport 3, offered a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, delivering a total of 240 horsepower. Despite its sporty name, the NX Hybrid was more about controlled handling than agility, with a firm suspension and adaptive dampers. It had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres, which contributed to some lean in corners. The ride was firm yet comfortable, and the power delivery, while not exhilarating, was sufficient for everyday driving. The NX Hybrid's 0 to 96 km/h time was quoted at 7.2 seconds, and it featured steering wheel paddles for simulated downshifts.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a choice between a single-motor RWD powertrain with 225 hp and a dual-motor AWD setup with 320 hp. The Ioniq 5 N performance model pushed the envelope further with 641 hp. During testing, the dual-motor powertrain provided robust and quiet power, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 5.3 seconds. The Ioniq 5 featured five settings of regenerative braking, allowing for one-pedal driving in the i-Pedal Max setting. While the steering was direct, it lacked feedback, and the handling was pleasant but not overly agile due to its weight of around 2,000 kilograms.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered comfortable front seats with good bolstering and ample room for tall adults. The interior featured power seat and steering wheel adjustments, heated and ventilated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The rear seats provided enough space for two average-sized adults, with 950 millimetres of headroom and 917 millimetres of legroom. Cargo space was relatively low for its class, with 643 litres behind the rear seats and 1,328 litres with them folded down, partly due to the coupe-like roof shape.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted spacious front seats with standard eight-way power adjustments for the driver and optional ventilated front seats in the Ultimate Package. The rear seat offered generous legroom of 1,002 millimetres, accommodating two adults comfortably. Cargo space was slightly smaller than average, with 745 litres behind the rear seats and 1,655 litres with them folded down, plus a 24-litre front trunk. The steep angle of the rear hatch affected cargo usability, but the Ioniq 5 still provided ample space for most needs.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid came equipped with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, both standard. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with SiriusXM satellite radio compatibility. Optional features included a head-up display, a wireless phone charger, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The NX Hybrid also offered a three-year Remote Connect subscription, allowing remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a volume dial and embedded temperature controls for easy access.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, both under a single piece of glass. Standard technology included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in navigation, and a wireless smartphone charger. The Ultimate Package added a head-up display and a Bose eight-speaker audio system. The MyHyundai app allowed for remote vehicle management, including preconditioning and charging schedules. The infotainment system was intuitive, with voice commands and separate climate controls for convenience.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid excelled in safety, earning the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, which included blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, and more. Optional safety features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control was slightly complex to set but functioned well during testing.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 also prioritized safety, with standard features like blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Ultimate Package added a surround-view camera system and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Ioniq 5 received the Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were not available. The lane keep assist and blind spot camera system were particularly effective.