The Ioniq 5 has been Hyundai’s smallest and most affordable ‘bespoke’ EV globally since 2021, but that is no longer the case. The Ioniq 3 now claims both titles, and while it is unlikely to be offered in North America, it is one of the brand’s most significant EV launches in Europe and beyond.
We had a chance to get up close with the Hyundai Ioniq 3 at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed and examine it in detail. We got to play around with the N-Line and Ultimate variants, and here’s how it differs from the larger Ioniq 5 offered in the U.S.
Design
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 has a dynamic and futuristic exterior. It sits low, features a curvy silhouette, and is honed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Its roofline flows seamlessly into the tailgate.
The Ioniq 3’s split rear window, consisting of a steeply raked, nearly horizontal upper section and a vertical lower section, gives it a unique character. The car has a drag coefficient of approximately 0.26.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has an equally futuristic exterior with retro styling inspired by the Pony from the 1970s. Compared with the Ioniq 3, it takes on a conventional hatchback-like shape and a noticeably long wheelbase. It also has a more mature and understated character, in line with its higher positioning.
While it shares the Parametric Pixel theme with the Ioniq 3, the Ioniq 5 uses conventional single-unit headlamps. Most of its exterior elements have sharper lines, contrasting with the Ioniq 3’s curvier design.
Not surprisingly, the Ioniq 5 is not as aerodynamically efficient, with a drag coefficient of 0.31. That said, in some markets, Hyundai offers a digital side mirror option that would bring that figure down marginally.
Interior
The Ioniq 3 has a more youthful and lounge-like interior. The padded surfaces on the dashboard resemble those of the second-generation Nexo we got up close with last year, and similarly look inspired by tufted sofas. The compact EV’s central AC vents look like a retro hi-fi speaker grille.
The Ioniq 3 is the first EV to feature Hyundai Motor Group’s Pleos Connect infotainment system. It features a compact, free-standing driver instrument cluster, which likely measures 9.9 inches diagonally, paired with a 12.9- or 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5’s interior has a rather elegant appearance and shows more cohesiveness, suiting its more mature character. The simpler rear-end design also provides better rearward visibility. The 12.3-inch cockpit displays have a relatively conventional design and positioning.
The Ioniq 5, being a higher-segment model, comes with several additional or more advanced features, such as front seats with two-way power-adjustable calf support, a 64-color ambient lighting system, and sliding rear seats which can be folded from buttons in the cargo area.
From the driver’s seat, the Ioniq 3 feels noticeably tighter and sportier. At six feet tall, I had to watch my head while entering, although my thighs did not rub against the small, flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Once seated, I had about 3.1 inches of headroom, along with good back, shoulder, and side support. The Ioniq 5 was easier to step into and felt much airier, with excellent headroom, better forward visibility, creating a more relaxed experience.
The difference is very obvious in the rear. In the Ioniq 3, I had only about 1.6 inches of knee room behind my driving position, could not slide my shoes under the front seat, and sat with my knees raised.
Moving the front passenger seat forward created more than 3.9 inches of knee room, but under-thigh support remained average and the rising beltline made the cabin feel enclosed. The Ioniq 5 offered considerably more legroom and knee room, a flat floor, and a reclining backrest, although I would have preferred a slightly lower floor.
Specifications
The Ioniq 3 is a small EV measuring 163.6 in. or 164.2 in. in length, 70.9 in. in width, and 59.3 in. in height, along with a 105.5-inch wheelbase. It is based on a low-cost FWD-biased platform.
Hyundai offers the Ioniq 3 in standard-range FWD and long-range FWD variants. The base variant has a single motor producing 145 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque and a 42.2 kWh LFP battery pack. The top variant uses a 133 hp version of the same motor, along with a 61 kWh NMC battery pack.
The Ioniq 3 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 9.0 seconds (standard-range FWD)/9.6 seconds (long-range FWD) and achieves a top speed of 103 mph. Hyundai is projecting a WLTP range of 213 miles (standard-range FWD)/308 miles (long-range FWD).
At 183.3 in. long, 74.4 in. wide, and 63.0 in. or 64.0 in. tall, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a compact EV. It is based on a RWD-biased platform and has a 118.1-inch wheelbase. It is worth noting here that these figures apply to the U.S. model, which doesn’t come with digital side mirrors.
Hyundai offers the Ioniq 5 in the U.S. in standard-range RWD, long-range RWD, and long-range AWD variants. The standard-range RWD variant has a single motor that develops 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The long-range RWD variant uses a higher-output motor with 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The long-range AWD variant uses a combination of two motors, including a lower-output unit on the front axle. This setup gives it 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. All three variants have the same top speed of 115 mph.
The standard-range RWD variant features a 63 kWh NMC battery pack with an operating voltage of 523 volts. This battery pack takes as little as 20 minutes for a 10-80% charging session and gives the vehicle an EPA-estimated range of 245 miles.
The long-range RWD and long-range AWD variants share an 84 kWh NMC battery pack with an operating voltage of 697 volts. The larger unit also charges up from 10% to 80% SoC as quickly as 20 minutes. It delivers an EPA-estimated range of 318 miles (long-range RWD)/up to 290 miles (long-range AWD).
Price & Availability
Hyundai will launch the Ioniq 3 in European markets in September 2026. It expects to price the new model in the UK from under GBP 25,000 (USD 33,320). This would make the small EV almost 40% cheaper than the Ioniq 5, the prices of which start at GBP 40,695 (USD 54,328).
In the U.S., where Hyundai assembles the Ioniq 5 in Bryan County, Georgia, prices start at USD 35,000. The company sources the Ioniq 5 N, priced at USD 59,900, from one of its domestic plants in Ulsan, South Korea.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
