When it comes to comparisons, it’s hard to top the experience of real-life owners.
While we automotive journalists love to compare vehicles, it’s just not the same as living full-time with them. But in this week’s video we’ve found an owner that has both the Tesla Model S and Hyundai Ioniq 5 in his garage.
Howard Schoenberger has an AWD Ioniq 5 and RWD Model 3. In the video at the top of this post he goes through a wide range of comparisons.
You’ll learn how he thinks such things as handling, infotainment, charging, sunroofs, build quality, and much more compares.
If you’ve got any questions or comments about the video, post them here and if you enjoy this episode, please give it a like and subscribe to the EV Rider YouTube channel.
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Selected Video Transcript Highlights
Editor’s Note: The transcript has been condensed from what you’ll see and hear in the video and lightly edited. Watch the video to hear Howard’s additional comments.
EV Rider
This week we’ve got a direct comparison between Tesla’s Model 3 and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5. What makes this comparison unique is Howard Schoenberger owns both, so we’ve got real world experience. Howard, let’s go ahead and start by having you tell me what made you pick these particular two EVs?
Howard
I had seen the Ioniq probably about a year-and-a-half ago and said, wow, that’s an interesting looking car. I’ve never seen lines like this. I got online, researched a little, and tried to buy one and waited. It took me ten months to get one.
I decided with the tax credits and all that’s changing now and Tesla dropping the price of the Model 3, we decided to pick one of them up, which we did about three weeks ago. I’m very pleased with it. It’s a very different car than the Ioniq. My wife drives it mostly and it’s something that’s more in tune to the way she drives than the way I drive.
EV Rider
So if you would, give me the strengths and weaknesses between the two.
Howard
I think one of the nice things about Ioniq is the ride. The Tesla is a much firmer ride. It’s fun, but if you’re doing a trip, it’s (Model 3) not as comfortable for passengers. Also, the Ioniq is an all-wheel drive, whereas this is a rear wheel drive Tesla.
I also love the Ioniq’s paddle shifters rather than using one pedal driving all the time so that that’s a difference. The economy, though, I think is better on the Tesla, the aerodynamics and the way it operates. You use less electricity than you do with the Ioniq, so as I said, they are pluses and minuses to each one of them. They’re very different.
In the Tesla you have what looks like basically an iPad. That, and I think for someone that isn’t into computers in a big way, it can be a little intimidating.
The Ioniq has two longer – but narrower – screens, one that’s more traditional like a dashboard and the other is the infotainment.
EV Rider
Do you find yourself at all missing the gauge cluster in the Tesla?
Howard
You you get used to not having the gauge cluster to some degree. But I do miss some of the stuff. It’s somewhat cumbersome to have to go to the menu, whereas it’s easier to get to in the Ioniq. It’s more like a normal car,
EV Rider
You’ve said the software is a little better in the the Tesla. You said the app is better in the Tesla. When you put it all together, when you consider the physical buttons versus the software and all the rest, pick a winner between the two.
Howard
That’s a tough question. If you ask me, you get one answer. If you ask my wife, you get a different answer.
The reason I say that is I like playing with things, adjusting things, and I find it easier in the Ioniq to be driving and doing those things, where with the Tesla I have to go through screens. She likes to just get in the car and drive and for that I think the Tesla is better.
EV Rider
Both these cars are among the fastest charging available, especially in the case of the Ioniq on the CCS side. Talk to me about the overall charging experiences between both.
Howard
With the Ioniq you have the CCS network, which is not the greatest. Fortunately for me, I get two years of free charging at Electrify America with it. So if I am on the road, I tend to use that.
My experience has been better than some people. I went from Connecticut to Florida and had no problems whatsoever, and I’ve been down in South Florida. Not a problem either.
Tesla, that was nice. I mean, we went with my wife’s a couple of times and you just go there, plug in and you don’t do anything and it comes with an adapter. So I can charge it at home based on the Juice Box that I already have.
I am concerned going down the road with Tesla going to more of the Magic Docks (CCS Supercharger adapters) that you’ll have more CCS cars charging there. And in fact, I picked up very cheaply an adapter to use the CCS on the Tesla, which is nice to have because I don’t know where things are heading. The Ioniq, though, is amazing, that you can go from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes. You you can’t beat that.
EV Rider
What’s 18 minutes get you on your Model 3?
Howard
I know that it charges at a lower rate than what the Ioniq does. I’ve seen as high as 245 kW on the Ioniq and I think this rear wheel drive Model 3 is limited at 170. Same thing charging at home. The Model 3 that I have is limited to 32 amps. Where you can do 48 amps on the Ioniq.
Howard goes on to discuss the autonomous features of both cars along with the build quality. He compares the sunroofs, design aspects and more. Watch the video to hear his additional comments and see both EVs up close.