Compare the2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5VS 2025 Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Ioniq 5’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

The Ioniq 5’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Ioniq 5 and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is safer than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Ioniq 5	Q4 e-tron Sportback
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Ioniq 5, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 3% less likely to roll over than the Q4 e-tron Sportback, which received a four-star rating.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 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, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Q4 e-tron Sportback has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq 5 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q4 e-tron Sportback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Q4 e-tron Sportback ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Audi 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 Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 51 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Hyundai higher than Audi.

The Ioniq 5 N’s standard electric motors produces 306 more horsepower (641 vs. 335) and 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 501) than the Q4 e-tron Sportback’s electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is faster than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Ioniq 5	Ioniq 5 N	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Zero to 60 MPH	4.4 sec	3 sec	5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.5 sec	3.3 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	13.1 sec	11.1 sec	13.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	123 MPH	97 MPH
Top Speed	117 MPH	163 MPH	100 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Ioniq 5 N electric motors is faster than the Q4 55 e-tron Sportback:

	Ioniq 5	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Zero to 60 MPH	2.8 sec	4.7 sec
Quarter Mile	11 sec	13.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	124.9 MPH	98.3 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq 5 gets better mileage than the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

			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
Q4 e-tron Sportback
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Sportback Electric Motors	107 city/92 hwy

The Ioniq 5 can travel longer on a full charge than the Q4 e-tron Sportback on a full charge:

			Miles
Ioniq 5
	RWD	Long Range Electric Motor	318 miles
	AWD	19" Wheels Electric Motors	290 miles
		20" Wheels Electric Motors	269 miles
		XRT Electric Motors	259 miles
Q4 e-tron Sportback
	AWD	Q4 55 e-tron Sportback Electric Motors	258 miles

For better stopping power the Ioniq 5 N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Ioniq 5 N	Q4 e-tron Sportback	Q4 e-tron Sportback
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	14.1 inches	15 inches
Rear Rotors	14.2 inches	11” drums	13.9” drums

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Q4 e-tron Sportback. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Ioniq 5 stops much shorter than the Q4 e-tron Sportback:

	Ioniq 5	Q4 e-tron Sportback
70 to 0 MPH	153 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	102 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the Ioniq 5 N’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (275/35R21 vs. 235/50R20).

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Ioniq 5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq 5’s wheelbase is 9.4 inches longer than on the Q4 e-tron Sportback (118.1 inches vs. 108.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Ioniq 5 is 2.4 inches wider in the front and 3.5 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The Ioniq 5 N handles at .96 G’s, while the Q4 e-tron Sportback pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ioniq 5 N executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (24.1 seconds @ .82 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Ioniq 5 XRT has a 1.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q4 e-tron Sportback (7 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Ioniq 5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 550 pounds less than the Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback.

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Ioniq 5 has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Ioniq 5’s rear seats recline. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Ioniq 5 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q4 e-tron Sportback with its rear seat folded (58.5 vs. 54.4 cubic feet).

The Ioniq 5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Q4 e-tron Sportback uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Ioniq 5 Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 the pocket or purse. Keyless Start standard on the Q4 e-tron Sportback only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle.

The Ioniq 5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q4 e-tron Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Ioniq 5 has a standard rear wiper. The Q4 e-tron Sportback 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

Both the Ioniq 5 and the Q4 e-tron Sportback have standard heated front seats. The Ioniq 5 Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Ioniq 5 Limited/N keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Ioniq 5 is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Q4 e-tron Sportback, 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 Q4 e-tron Sportback.

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback, 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.

Compared to traditional radio, the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio costs extra on the Q4 e-tron Sportback.

The Ioniq 5 Limited has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the rear seat, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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 Q4 e-tron Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The Ioniq 5 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q4 e-tron Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Ioniq 5 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2025 and 4 more times in the last 4 years. The Q4 e-tron Sportback has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 outsold the Audi Q4 by almost four to one during 2024.