Hyundai Ioniq vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?

Hyundai Ioniq

$19,395 - $42,950

2021 price

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Lexus LS

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2023 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2021 Hyundai Ioniq

2023 Lexus LS

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

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Twin Turbo V6, 3.4L

Vehicle type

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Premium Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

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10.0L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

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Battery capacity

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Seating

Likes

Well-tuned electric drive
Range is about right
Excellent energy consumption

Business class interior
Japanese feel and quality
Thumping turbo V6

Dislikes

Feels very heavy
Design won't be for everyone
Still a little too pricey for mass adoption

Feels a bit old-fashioned to drive
The hybrid would be nicer to be driven in
Dated multimedia software

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Summary

Hyundai's Ioniq range is nothing if not a flex in the face of Toyota.

Sure, Toyota has a dominating position in the Australian market, with its well-received range of hybrid models, but what happens after hybrid? Hyundai takes on the blocky Prius formula with not only a directly competing hybrid model, but a plug-in and a fully electric version, too.

This expansive range is as though Hyundai is trying to demonstrate it's ready for any future, near or far, and guess what, Toyota? Anything you can do; the Korean juggernaut thinks it can do better.

These cars aren't really designed to sell so much as they are offerings for early adopters, but a few years after its launch, with a host of rivals set to take it on, and an entire sub-brand based on the Ioniq just around the corner, is Hyundai's top-spec Ioniq electric worth a look? I took one for a week to find out.

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2023 Lexus LS Summary

Surprisingly, for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves, there are quite a few options available in the large luxury sedan market.

While on the whole sedans have fallen from favour, this niche corner of the market continues to let the three-box design thrive.

The options here have changed a bit in the last few years, though, so how does the Lexus flagship, the LS fit into the picture? I drove one around for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Hyundai Ioniq 2023 Lexus LS

Verdict

Just like the Kona EV, Hyundai's Ioniq is still one of the best EV options on the market today. It strikes an excellent balance by offering significantly more range and better energy consumption than the more affordable Nissan Leaf or MG ZS EV, while providing the familiarity of the Hyundai spec and drive experience at a price only a little higher than a top-spec Prius.

Its relatively high score is a product of these factors, but also the way in which its interactivity offers the early adopters the engagement they will be searching for.

Verdict

The LS500 is the least logical version of the most logical option in the ultimate luxury sedan segment in which logic doesn’t often apply at all.

Take from that what you will, but if it was me being driven around I would definitely be opting for the hybrid version of the LS instead for its smooth electrified driving characteristics and lower operating costs.

Hyundai Ioniq vs Lexus LS What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Hyundai Ioniq vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?