Cadillac OPTIQ vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5
Cadillac OPTIQ
VS.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Electric SUV Comparison
You may not think it, but the OPTIQ and IONIQ 5 have quite a few things in common—they’re both all-electric SUVs, and they both have some genuinely impressive range and performance numbers.
However, they also have some key differences, with vastly different levels of luxury and standard features. If you’re in the market for a new EV, read on to find out which one might work best for you.
| 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ | 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard horsepower | 315 hp | 255 hp |
| Standard range | 317 miles | 245 miles |
| All-wheel drive | Available | Available |
| Standard touch screen | 33-inch | 12.3-inch |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay® | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Self-driving | Yes | No |
Cadillac OPTIQ vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5: Range and Charging
First, let’s check perhaps the most important thing when it comes to EVs—how far can they run on a single charge?
When optioned with single-motor rear-wheel drive, the OPTIQ has a max range of up to 317 miles, making it a rock-solid contender compared to other electric SUVs in its class. It can also be bought with dual-motor all-wheel drive, which drops the range down to 303 miles, but that’s still an undeniably decent figure.
The IONIQ 5 also has multiple available ranges. The base-level Standard Range model gets only 245 miles on a single charge; if you want the maximum range, you’ll need to buck up for a higher trim. With AWD, it gets up to 290 miles, and with RWD, it can get as much as 318 miles.
So, while their maximum ranges are neck-and-neck, the OPTIQ provides far more standard range for shoppers, as well as a higher range for all-wheel drive models.
Cadillac OPTIQ vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5: Performance
Apart from offering both single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD models, both also have souped-up high-performance models—shoppers who need a little (or a lot) more thrust should check out the the OPTIQ-V and the IONIQ 5 N.
Here’s a look at the 2026 OPTIQ’s specs:
2026 Cadillac OPTIQ:
- OPTIQ RWD: 315 hp & 332 lb-ft of torque
- OPTIQ AWD: 440 hp and 498 lb-ft of torque
- OPTIQ-V: 519 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque
Meanwhile, here are the power specs for the 2026 IONIQ 5:
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5:
- IONIQ 5 RWD: 255 hp & 258 lb-ft of torque
- IONIQ 5 AWD: 320 hp & 446 lb-ft of torque
- IONIQ 5 N: 641 hp & 568 lb-ft of torque
While the standard Cadillac OPTIQ leaves the IONIQ 5 in the dust, the IONIQ 5 N actually has the highest output of all, at least in terms of horsepower. Still, the OPTIQ is no slouch no matter which model you pick, as all of them benefit from the instant torque from the electric motor and a handful of other performance-enhancing features like Cadillac’s Velocity Max mode and Hyundai’s N Grin Boost.
It’s also worth noting, if you have your sights set on the IONIQ 5 N, you’ll end up paying significantly more for that speed, as it starts out at over 30 grand more than the base-level IONIQ 5.
Cadillac OPTIQ vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5: Dimensions
Now, let’s take a look at which of these two battery-powered SUVs offers the most interior space for shoppers in South Carolina:
| 2026 Cadillac OPTIQ | 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Head room (front/rear) | 39.6 / 38.7 in | 39.8 / 38.7 in |
| Shoulder room (front/rear) | 57.0 / 56.0 in | 57.7 / 57.7 in |
| Hip room (front/rear) | 55.0 / 51.0 in | 53.9 / 53.6 in |
| Leg room (front/rear) | 41.6 / 37.8 in | 41.7 / 39.4 in |
| Cargo volume (behind rear seats) | 26.0 cu ft | 26.3 cu ft |
| Cargo volume (behind front seats) | 57.0 cu ft | 58.5 cu ft |
Both come very close in terms of their dimensions, and while the IONIQ 5 ekes out an extra cubic foot of cargo volume, most shoppers aren’t likely to notice, so we’ll call this one a tie.
Cadillac OPTIQ vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5: Interior
One of the biggest differences between the pair is their interior feel and tech features, which makes sense, considering the OPTIQ is a luxury EV while the IONIQ 5 is intended as more of a mass market cruiser.
The stand-out feature in the OPTIQ is Cadillac’s 33-inch curved display, which comes standard in all trims and serves as both a driver information screen and center infotainment display. Other standard features include Google built-in compatibility, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi, a thumping 19-speaker AKG Studio Surround system, and premium upholstery materials.
The IONIQ 5 gets a dual 12.3-inch driver info display and center touch screen setup, along with wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ and in-vehicle Wi-Fi, but upgraded features like wireless charging and a premium sound system don’t come standard. Overall, the interior certainly doesn’t feel cheap, but it simply can’t reach the levels of opulence that the OPTIQ has across all trim levels.
Cadillac OPTIQ vs. Hyundai IONIQ 5: Price
As one might expect, the luxe-focused OPTIQ carries a heftier price tag than the more pedestrian IONIQ 5. Here’s a look at 2026 OPTIQ pricing by trim level:
2026 Cadillac OPTIQ pricing:
| Luxury | $50,900 |
| Sport | $51,500 |
| Premium Luxury | $53,100 |
| Premium Sport | $53,600 |
| V-Series | $67,300 |
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 pricing:
| SE Standard Range | $35,000 |
| SE | $37,500 |
| SEL | $39,800 |
| XRT | $46,275 |
| Limited | $45,075 |
| N | $66,200 |
Clearly, the IONIQ 5 takes the cake for most affordable EV of the two. But, make your way up the trim lineup, and its price increases steeply while the OPTIQ’s pricing remains quite stable until you reach the top-spec V-Series.
Perhaps the more important question is this: which one offers the most bang for your buck? The OPTIQ has more range, better performance, and far more standard features, which makes it an incredibly attractive option despite its bigger price tag.
Shop Cadillac OPTIQ Models in Columbia, SC
There’s no doubt that the IONIQ 5 is a sweet ride, but if you’re interested in experiencing a higher caliber of EV, Visit Jim Hudson Cadillac to test drive a new OPTIQ today. With an excellent selection of models and trims, we’re your go-to destination for luxury in South Carolina.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check our new vehicle specials and Cadillac lease deals to find the best opportunities to save. Contact us online or call us at (803) 757-4503 to learn more.
