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2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 GLS 2WD Long Range Review

It’s been with us for three years, and it’s only gotten better since.

Jerome Tresvalles
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 GLS 2WD Long Range Review

The IONIQ 5 is Hyundai’s first proper electric vehicle (EV), marking the true beginning of the brand’s modern EV lineup. While Hyundai had dabbled in EVs as early as 1991 with the Sonata Electric Vehicle, followed years later by the Ioniq Electric in 2016, it can be argued that the IONIQ 5 was the model that truly put the brand on the map in the EV market when it launched in 2022.

At launch, the IONIQ 5 quickly rose to stardom, winning multiple accolades in the years that followed. It wasn't just because it looked different. It was also a genuinely good EV to drive and live with. Even we at AutoDeal weren't immune to the IONIQ 5's charms, naming it our Car of the Year in 2023, the same year it officially launched in the Philippines.

Three years on, Hyundai has given the IONIQ 5 numerous updates to its powertrain and features to keep it relevant. Our question with this 2026 model is simple: how do you improve on something already great? Read on to find out our verdict.

4.5 / 5
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 GLS 2WD Long Range Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 4.5/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 5.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 5.0/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 3.5/5
What You Will Like
  • Superb ride comfort
  • 530 km of driving range
  • Quality fit and finish
What You Won't Like
  • Top-of-the-line variant is still quite pricey compared to other EVs
How We Do Our Reviews

The best updates from a refresh are those with no price increase, even with the added kit. The IONIQ 5 we have on test is the GLS 2WD Long Range, and it comes in at P3,698,000, while the mid-range GLS 2WD Standard Range comes in at P3,068,000, followed by the entry-level GL 2WD Standard Range at P2,840,000. If those prices feel familiar, that’s because Hyundai has not changed the prices for the first two models. Furthermore, the new GL variant brings the price below the P3 million mark, meaning the IONIQ 5 is more accessible than ever. 

Under the hood, or shall we say, under the floor, is where you’ll find most of the changes for the IONIQ 5. For the update, Hyundai has fitted both the Long Range and Standard Range variants with bigger battery packs, 84 kWh and 64 kWh, respectively. Now, the Long Range variant can travel up to 530 km on a full charge, while the Standard Range delivers a lower but still mighty respectable 440 km. 

Power has been upped for the Long Range variant as well, while torque figures are unchanged at 350 Nm of torque, hp figures now sit at 226 hp.

On the charging front, the IONIQ 5 supports DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, allowing it to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes. In that time, it can recover roughly 330 km of driving range.

Our Senior Car Reviewer, Caco Tirona, also put those figures into perspective with a bit of quick math. If you drive around 50 km a day, you'll cover about 250 km over a typical workweek. Even if you add another 70 km of driving on both Saturday and Sunday, you still won't come close to depleting the Long Range variant's battery. He also pointed out that if you’re able to plug the IONIQ 5 in at around 6:00 PM, it will be fully charged and ready to go by 4:00 AM the next morning.

As for charging costs, a full top-up would cost less than P1,500 added on top of your electricity bill. That's still cheaper than filling up a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle, even when fuel prices were around P50 per liter.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Front
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Side
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Rear

On the exterior, nothing much has changed for the IONIQ 5 except for a new set of front bumpers, which have a bit more depth and texture compared to the pre-facelift model. Aside from that, this EV looks largely the same as the one we’ve come to love back in 2023. The wheels have been updated to feature a more pinwheel-like design compared to the geometric design from before. While we honestly prefer the look of the previous wheels compared to the new ones, we can say it still looks way better compared to other EVs on the market. Ground clearance still sits at 160 mm. 

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Tailgate
Hyundai IONIQ 5 2nd Row Folded
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Cargo Bay

Open up the power tailgate, and it reveals 527 liters of cargo space, good enough for two balikbayan boxes side by side. Fold the second row seats down via a push of a button, and it doubles the space to accommodate more cargo. There are cubby holes on the false floor for equipment like your tire repair kit and air compressor, as well as a 12V socket to power appliances from the back of the car.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Dashboard

Inside, Hyundai's smart use of space translates to a roomy and comfortable cabin. Starting with what the brand got right, we like that the panoramic sunroof still comes with a retractable shade, so the cabin doesn't become unbearably hot on sunny days.

We also appreciate the positioning of the rear air vents on the B-pillars instead of behind the center console. In our experience, this setup cools the rear cabin more quickly than conventional center-mounted vents. Other amenities include a pair of USB Type-C charging ports, a center armrest with cupholders, and bottle holders in the doors.

One last feature we want to highlight before moving on are the second-row seats. They slide on rails and can be adjusted at the press of a button. The range of adjustment is impressive, allowing the seatbacks to recline to a near lounge-like position. Having this level of comfort in a compact crossover is a welcome surprise.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Steering Wheel
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Infotainment
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Center Stack

Comfort continues up front, where the power-adjustable seats make it easy to find the ideal driving position. Amenities include a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, paired with a Bose sound system that delivers a rich listening experience no matter where you're seated.

Despite the abundance of technology, Hyundai hasn't done away with physical buttons. Every major function has its own dedicated control, so there's no need to dig through menus in the infotainment system just to adjust a setting.

Charging options are plentiful as well. You'll find USB Type-C ports and a 12V socket, multiple storage cubbies, a wireless charging pad beside the cupholders, and a central storage compartment that's deep enough to accommodate a variety of items. Speaking of the center console, it can also slide forward or backward, giving you more flexibility when carrying larger items up front.

All in all, we like Hyundai's updates to the IONIQ 5's cabin. The brand hasn't removed the features that already worked well and has instead continued refining them. Hopefully, the same holds true for the way it drives.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Rolling Shot

On the road, the IONIQ 5 is just as good as we remember it, slightly better in fact. Hyundai has tweaked the suspension to make it less floaty or wafty; now, it’s just the right amount of firmness in terms of stiffness and compliance. Power delivery is unlike most EVs, where it launches you forward with a jab of the throttle. In the IONIQ 5, power is delivered linearly; it’s not delayed, where it hesitates to give you power immediately, but rather a smooth surge of power that keeps on coming as long as you’re on the throttle.

Ride comfort is superb, not like it wasn’t before. Thanks to the weight being so low down, the car feels planted and confident on the road, with body roll being kept to a minimum. In addition, excellent NVH insulation and proper suspension tuning mean small ruts and bumps won’t bother the IONIQ 5 in the slightest; in fact, you hardly notice them on the move.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Rear Quarter

From 2023 until now, we've felt that Hyundai got it right with the IONIQ 5. It has always felt like a future-proof EV. A lot has changed in the EV landscape since it first launched. Charging stations are now more common, EVs are more widely accepted than ever, and we even have ride-hailing services operating fleets made up entirely of electric vehicles.

That's what makes the IONIQ 5 so impressive. When it first arrived, Hyundai built an EV that was so well-rounded it barely needed to play catch-up as newer competitors entered the market. It remains one of the most stylish EVs on the road, it's still packed with features, and its performance continues to impress. Better yet, Hyundai has introduced meaningful upgrades for 2026 without increasing the price. If the IONIQ 5 didn't win you over back then, there's a good chance it will now.

Specifications

Engine

n/a

Energy Source

Electric

Performance

226 hp @ 0 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV GLS 2WD Long Range
Body Type Crossover
Price ₱3,698,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

Hyundai IONIQ 5 - Atlas White Atlas White
Hyundai IONIQ 5 - Cyber- Gray Metallic Cyber-Gray Metallic
Hyundai IONIQ 5- Gravity Gold Matte Gravity Gold Matte
Hyundai IONIQ 5 - Phantom Black Pearl Phantom Black Pearl

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