Compare the2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 VS 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Ioniq 5 Limited/XRT has standard Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The R2 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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:

			MPGe
Ioniq 5
	RWD	Standard Range Electric Motor	131 city/100 hwy
		Long Range Electric Motor	129 city/100 hwy
	AWD	19" Wheels Electric Motors	116 city/96 hwy
R2
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	114 city/96 hwy
		21-inch Tires Performance Electric Motors	114 city/96 hwy
		All-Terrain Electric Motors	109 city/89 hwy

The Ioniq 5 has a standard locking charge port, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The R2 doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The Ioniq 5 stops shorter than the R2:

	Ioniq 5	R2
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

The Ioniq 5 XRT’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the R2 Standard’s standard 65 series tires. The Ioniq 5 Limited AWD’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the R2 Premium’s 55 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 Ioniq 5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the R2’s (47.9% to 52.1%). This gives the Ioniq 5 more stable handling and braking.

The Ioniq 5 Limited AWD handles at .85 G’s, while the R2 Performance pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 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 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.

On a hot day the Ioniq 5’s driver can lower the front windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the R2 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Ioniq 5’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from pocket or purse. An advanced key system standard on the R2 doesn’t offer a sensor on any door except the driver’s, so you’ll have to walk to the driver's door to touch the handle.

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 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the R2, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the Ioniq 5 offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the R2.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the Ioniq 5 equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The R2, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Hyundai Ioniq 5 empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

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.