Compare the2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5VS 2027 Rivian R2

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Ioniq 5 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Ioniq 5 achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Rivian R2 has not been tested.

Both the Ioniq 5 and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Ioniq 5 has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R2’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Ioniq 5 and the R2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The R2 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2026.

The Ioniq 5 comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The R2’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq 5 2 years longer than Rivian covers the R2. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the R2 ends after only 8 years.

There are almost 9 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Rivian dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq 5’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Rivian vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 101 more problems per 100 vehicles, Rivian is ranked 31st, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 14 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq 5 gets better mileage than the R2:

For better stopping power the Ioniq 5 N’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the R2:

For better traction, the Ioniq 5 N’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R2 (275/35R21 vs. 265/60R20).

The Ioniq 5 N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R2’s 60 series tires.

The Ioniq 5 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The R2 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq 5’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the R2 (118.1 inches vs. 115.6 inches).

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 700 pounds less than the Rivian R2.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Ioniq 5 has standard flush composite headlights. The R2 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Ioniq 5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The R2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq 5 has .3 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the R2.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ioniq 5’s rear seats recline. The R2’s rear seats don’t recline.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Ioniq 5’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Ioniq 5 Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Ioniq 5 has a standard rear wiper. The R2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Ioniq 5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The R2 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Ioniq 5 XRT/Limited’s Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The R2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Ioniq 5 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 4 more times in the last 5 years. The R2 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.