2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SEL vs IONIQ 5 Limited

2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SEL vs IONIQ 5 Limited

“2023 SUV of the Year”,“World Car of the Year”,   “Car of the Year” , “EV of the Year”, and “Top Safety Pick +”. Clearly, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has left a great impression over the years regarding its performance, utility, and technology features. Couple these exceptional traits with an affordable starting price of $41,450 (SE Standard Range), and you get the iconic Hyundai IONIQ 5. For those shopping for an IONIQ 5, all the different trims might get confusing. Today, we’ll be discussing the IONIQ 5 SEL and IONIQ 5 Limited, and why the lower-trimmed SEL might be the perfect electric vehicle for you.
*Special Lease Deal: Receive $7,500 in EV Lease Cash when leasing the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5*

Differences: Performance and  Charging

The IONIQ 5 SEL comes paired with a 77.4-kWh battery with standard RWD. This configuration delivers 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with the longest range in the IONIQ 5 lineup at 303 miles! For an additional $3,5000, AWD can be added to the IONIQ 5 SEL. With AWD, performance increases to 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. Range suffers, however, reduced to 266 miles. It’s important to note that the pricier IONIQ 5 Limited does not come equipped with AWD from the factory, and costs  $3,900 instead of $3,500 to upgrade to AWD due to its larger tire dimensions.

Charging rates are still the same. Using a DC charging station at 800-volts will get you from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes!

Differences: Convenience Features

There are a couple of big differences when it comes to convenience features between the SEL and Limited. For starters, the IONIQ 5 Limited brings an impressive glass roof panel, a heads-up display with Augmented Reality functions, and rain-sensing wipers, all of which the IONIQ 5 SEL does not have. In the interior, the Limited offers 8-Way power-adjustable seats with lumbar support and ventilation, to both the driver and front passenger seats. The SEL does not offer 8-Way power-adjustable seats with lumbar support to the front passenger, nor are they ventilated.
The IONIQ 5 Limited also gets:

• Premium 8-Speaker Bose Sound System
• Vehicle To Load (charge other devices with IONIQ 5 battery)
• Relaxation Mode (Reclines seat and extends leg rest for comfortable relaxation)
• Rear Door Sunshades

Differences: Driver Assist and Safety Features

The IONIQ 5 Limited gets a couple of driver assist and safety features not available in the SEL. These include:

• Remote Smart Parking Assist (automatic Parallel and Perpendicular parking)
• 360-Degree Surround View Monitor
• Rear Automatic Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot View Monitor w/ Side Camera

Both trims are still highly safe vehicles, supported by the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating and the IIHS Top Safety Pick + Rating.

So Why the IONIQ 5 SEL over the IONIQ 5 Limited?

So why would anyone choose the IONIQ 5 SEL over the Limited? Doesn’t the Limited have more impressive features? Well, more doesn’t necessarily mean better. Well, they can be better, but how often will you use these features? Like having a fridge full of unused condiments, the numerous features in the Limited might not be relevant or used by you.

For example, the IONIQ 5 Limited comes with a wide glass sunroof (dubbed vision roof). Impressive for sure, but how often will you use this feature? Especially in Virginia, a four-season state? Summer temperatures can get harsh, winter air is frigid, spring brings in a cloud of pollen, and fall, well fall lasts for maybe, 2 months. Is spending $5,000 plus for this feature worth it?

Also, the IONIQ 5 SEL and Limited both come with standard RWD. However, as mentioned before, upgrading the IONIQ 5 Limited to AWD costs $3,900. $400 extra when upgrading the SEL to AWD. Personally, I’d rather purchase or lease the IONIQ 5 SEL and upgrade to AWD if needed. Speaking of which, over the years of living in Virginia, I’ve never once thought to myself “Gee, AWD would be so convenient right now.” Never once.

Let’s also talk about the convenience features that the SEL does not have. The premium Bose Audio system is a luxury, not a necessity. And if you’re someone who’s not an audio enthusiast, chances are you won’t notice or need the extra acoustics that the Bose Audio system delivers. Vehicle to load essentially allows you to charge devices such as your laptop or any outlet-powered device. However, is this necessary in your daily life? When commuting, have you ever thought to yourself ” I really need to charge my portable mini fridge right now?” I mean, maybe you have, but how often? This feature is useful for sure, but the chances of you using it in ur daily life are slim. The last two features, the rear sunshades and relaxation mode are cool for sure, but again, the average driver will not need these in their daily life.

Last but not least, let’s take a look at safety and driver assist features. Sure the IONIQ 5 SEL doesn’t have remote smart parking, a 360-degree surround view monitor, rear automatic emergency braking, or a blind spot view monitor. But it does provide:

• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Parking Distance Warning (Front and Reverse)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Car/Ped/Cyclist Detection, Junction Turning
• Crossing, Lane-Change Oncoming/Side, and Evasive Steering Assist
• Lane Keeping Assist
• Lane Following Assist
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Safe Exit Assist
• Highway Driving Assist II
• High Beam Assist
• Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control with Curve Control
• Rear Occupant Alert
• Backup Camera

Sure, you won’t have a surround-view when you back up your car, but a good old backup camera does the job perfectly fine. Rear Automatic Emergency Braking is another “Cool but will I use it?” feature in my opinion.

Okay, So Who Is The IONIQ 5 SEL For?

At the end of the day, the IONIQ 5 SEL is for the driver who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of the IONIQ 5 Limited. If you are on a tighter budget, a student, a parent picking up and dropping off kids at school, or any daily task, the IONIQ 5 SEL is for you. If having the best of the best, the most features and the most technology is a huge deciding factor for you, the IONIQ 5 Limited is ideal.

We have plenty of 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SEL in stock at our Safford Hyundai Fairfax, Virginia location! Come in and take a look today.

Also, take advantage of our 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Deal below!

We are currently updating our monthly offers. Please check back shortly for updates.

In the meantime, here are some links that you might find helpful: