2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more premium feel. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid, featured Canyon River Blue paint and a price tag of $41,175, including destination charges. Its conservative styling, with a technical face and tusks framing the lower air intake, gave it a unique look, though it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The best view was from the rear quarter, where Volvo-adjacent taillights and a tidy design lent an upscale appearance. Inside, the Sport Touring boasted leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as a soft-touch dashboard and metal mesh air vent covers, contributing to a sophisticated cabin feel.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive appearance, drawing retro comparisons to the Lancia Delta, with its "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and high rear spoiler. The XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl added to its appeal. New wheel designs were introduced, with 19-inch wheels standard on SE and SEL trims, and 20-inchers on the Limited. The XRT's 18-inch wheels, reminiscent of rally style, were particularly striking. Inside, the Ioniq 5's cabin remained open and uncluttered, with a minimalistic and modern feel. The center console was revised for functionality, and the XRT trim featured a dark interior with all-weather floor mats and debossed XRT logos on the seats.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation Honda two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels, with an EPA rating of 37 mpg in combined driving for the Sport Touring. However, during testing on a mountainous loop, it returned only 32.4 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid offered a compliant ride with predictable handling, though the steering effort was unusually heavy. While it was easy to drive and provided hints of fun, it wasn't suited for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT added a Terrain Mode button with options for Snow, Mud, and Sand, adjusting throttle mapping, wheel slip, and power distribution. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with regenerative braking minimizing the need for manual braking. The Ioniq 5 offered AWD as standard on the XRT, with RWD available on other trims. Battery capacity increased for 2025, with most trims achieving a 318-mile range in RWD configuration. Power output varied, with RWD models producing up to 225 horsepower and AWD models delivering 320 horsepower. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 5 provided a fun driving experience with instant torque.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seating. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, while the rear seat offered generous legroom and comfort. The CR-V's cargo space ranged from 34.7 to 36.3 cubic feet, expanding to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the glove compartment was smaller than expected, and a front seatback pocket was missing.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper and revising the center console. Heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and front seat ventilation available on higher trims. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with ample head and legroom. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 58.5 cubic feet with them folded. The Ioniq 5's transition to the North American Charging System allowed access to Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing its charging capabilities.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 9-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were reserved for the Sport-L and Sport Touring trims, along with a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the walk-away automatic locking feature provided peace of mind.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its dual 12.3-inch screens, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the XRT trim gained access to the Bose Premium Audio system. All trims featured standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB-C ports. A head-up display was available on the Limited trim, and a wireless charging pad was included from the SEL trim level.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The system performed well during testing, though it occasionally faltered in certain conditions. The CR-V earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for 2023, though NHTSA ratings were not yet available.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS and received a five-star rating from the NHTSA. New safety features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with the latter offering lane-changing capability and machine learning. The Ioniq 5's safety suite remained comprehensive, though some features were removed from the base trim.