2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Performance: 800-Volt Fast Charging and Up to 320 Horsepower

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 carries the powertrain that earned it three consecutive KBB Best EV awards, now at its lowest-ever starting price, making it more accessible to St. Louis buyers than any prior model year. From an EPA-estimated 318 miles of range on the long-range rear-wheel-drive configuration to a 4.6-second 0-60 time in the dual-motor AWD setup, the IONIQ 5 covers the full spectrum from efficient daily commuter to genuinely quick electric SUV. Suntrup Hyundai South on South Lindbergh Boulevard carries the full lineup, and no spec sheet tells the story as well as a test drive does.

Single-Motor RWD Performance

The IONIQ 5’s single-motor configuration uses a rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. With the 63-kWh Standard Range battery, EPA-estimated range comes in at 245 miles and the 0-60 sprint takes approximately 8.5 seconds. Opt for the 84-kWh long-range battery on the SE, SEL, or Limited, and range extends to 318 miles while the 0-60 time drops to 7.4 seconds. For a St. Louis commuter running a daily circuit through South County and across the river into Illinois, either setup handles a typical week’s driving on a single charge.

Dual-Motor AWD Performance

Two motors, one per axle, change the IONIQ 5’s character entirely. The dual-motor AWD configuration produces 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of instant torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. On an on-ramp like the I-270 and I-44 interchange, that translates to effortless, linear acceleration with no hesitation and no gear hunting. AWD also brings genuine all-weather traction for Missouri’s ice and rain seasons, with range figures of 290 miles on the SE and SEL or 269 miles on the Limited. The XRT, available exclusively in AWD, adds the only factory tow rating in the lineup at up to 2,700 pounds, covering lightweight boat trailers and utility loads with room to spare.

800-Volt Ultra-Fast Charging

The specification that most consistently separates the IONIQ 5 from its rivals is its 800-volt electrical architecture. On a DC fast charger rated at 350 kW, the IONIQ 5 can go from 10% to 80% charge in approximately 20 minutes using the included CCS adapter. At home on a 240-volt Level 2 charger, a full charge completes in around 7 hours and 20 minutes overnight. For 2026, every IONIQ 5 ships with the NACS (Tesla-style) charging port as standard, giving owners native access to the Tesla Supercharger network without an adapter. On a longer trip from St. Louis to Kansas City or down to Nashville, the combination of broad network access and fast charge speeds makes the IONIQ 5 a practical choice beyond the metro.

Driving Character and Efficiency

The IONIQ 5’s on-road character leans toward refined rather than sharp. Its 118.1-inch wheelbase contributes to a composed, planted feel over Missouri’s varied road surfaces, and the suspension absorbs imperfections without sending vibration into the cabin. Regenerative braking is driver-selectable: a light-coast default mode for highway cruising or a full one-pedal setting that brings the car to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal. Through corners, the car feels stable and deliberate rather than agile. EPA efficiency tops out at 115 MPGe in the most efficient configurations, and the gap between the IONIQ 5’s running costs and a comparable gas SUV compounds quickly over St. Louis commute miles.

Come Experience the IONIQ 5 at Suntrup Hyundai South

Specs describe what the 2026 IONIQ 5 can do, but the 800-volt charging acceleration, instant torque delivery, and one-pedal driving behavior are things you have to sit behind the wheel to fully understand. Suntrup Hyundai South’s full IONIQ 5 lineup is available for test drives at our South Lindbergh Boulevard location, from the long-range RWD models built for efficient St. Louis commuting to the AWD configurations that back up their numbers.

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