Gas vs Electric · Head-to-head running cost
Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Hyundai Tucson: what it really costs to run
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Hyundai Tucson are both Hyundai crossovers, but one runs on electrons at about 3.2 mi/kWh and the other on gas at about 28 mpg, so the calculator below is already set to both to show what that split costs you.
When you come out ahead
Showing cumulative fuel savings. Add the two cars' prices in the controls to plot your exact break-even point.
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Staying inside the Hyundai lineup makes the running-cost gap easy to read. Charge the Ioniq 5 at home, where power runs around $0.17/kWh, and its ~3.2 mi/kWh puts its cost per mile well below the Tucson's, which burns regular near $3.30/gal against roughly 28 mpg. The Ioniq 5 also skips oil changes and other gas-engine upkeep, adding a small per-mile maintenance edge on top. Over a typical ~12,000 miles a year, that fuel-and-upkeep difference stacks up steadily in the EV's favor.
The catch is the sticker: the Ioniq 5 starts around $42,000 versus about $29,000 for the Tucson, a gap the pump savings have to chip away at over time. With the federal EV tax credit gone as of September 30, 2025, only state or utility incentives can shrink that, and they vary by where you live. The Ioniq 5's real trump card is 800V charging that refills fast on road trips, but public DC fast-charging near $0.48/kWh costs far more than home power, so lean on it often and that per-mile edge over the Tucson narrows.
What to keep in mind
- Home charging is where the Ioniq 5's ~3.2 mi/kWh pays off; rely on public DC fast-charging and its cost-per-mile advantage over the ~28 mpg Tucson shrinks fast.
- The roughly $42,000 Ioniq 5 versus ~$29,000 Tucson starting-price gap is real up front and only pays back through per-mile fuel and maintenance savings over many miles.
- The federal $7,500 EV credit ended September 30, 2025; check for current Hyundai, state, or utility incentives, which vary by location.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Hyundai Tucson: common questions
Does the Ioniq 5 actually cost less to drive than a Tucson?
Per mile, yes, if you charge at home. At about $0.17/kWh and ~3.2 mi/kWh, the Ioniq 5's fuel cost runs well under the Tucson's roughly 28 mpg on ~$3.30/gal gas, plus about $0.03/mile less on maintenance. Public fast-charging near $0.48/kWh narrows that gap, so plug your own numbers into the calculator above.
Is the Ioniq 5 good for road trips compared to the gas Tucson?
The Ioniq 5's 800V system charges very fast, so highway stops are short, but it still needs charging stops the Tucson skips with a quick fill-up. Public DC fast-charging also costs far more per mile than home charging, so long trips lean on the pricier electricity. For pure refuel-and-go convenience, the Tucson is simpler.