Still considered one of the best electric vehicles on the market, the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 continues to rack up praise and awards for its styling, maneuverability and practicality in the EV category.

You can get into the base SE Standard Range trim for a starting $36K US, and that will get you Rear-Wheel Drive, 168 horsepower, an estimated range of 245 miles, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and 19-inch alloy wheels.  Not bad really.  And yes, that’s basic by many measurements.

The IONIQ 5 is technically a compact SUV, but it also operates well as a tall sedan, having the functionality of a car that can go anywhere and fit into just about any space possible as long as you charge it up.

U.S. News and World Report puts this year’s IONIQ 5 at No.1 in the Electric SUV category, citing its “spacious cabin”, “user-friendly tech” and how it is “fun to drive”.

Edmunds.com has chosen the 5 as one of its Top Rated EVs of the year, citing how it can charge rapidly and has a relatively quiet cabin, even when pushed on the highway.

And I could not agree more.

As always, there are a few downsides, and when it comes to subcompacts, it’s always about the interior space

There is 26.3 cubic feet of cargo room if you leave the backseats up, and almost 60 feet of cargo space if you fold them down.  That ain’t bad, really.

Where it gets cramped is if you try to get your in-laws back there for that family trip to the beach or the mountains. Throw in the picnic baskets and a pet who gets car sick easily and, well, fun could ensue.

A subcompact should be only for a single person or a couple with one or two small pets.  If you have children, get a bigger vehicle, plain and simple.  My guess is the diaper bag alone may need a vehicle all its own, and as they get older, the sports equipment will need more than just a fold-out third row of seats.

That said, the 2026 IONIQ 5 is a great little EV SUV.  But please, test it first.  And unless you have a garage, I really would advise against getting an EV.  Not having a dedicated space to charge it will have you creating new swear words, especially during your first adverse weather event.

I know all of you who read gaywheels.com are some of the smartest, most well-read people on the planet.  And I know that you take care of the things you own, as well as the people you love.

Which is why I want to draw your attention to photos of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln as it was seen recently in Thailand. Notice how even from afar, you can see the visible rust. This is not good, and despite what anyone says, it’s arguable if the ship can ever be completely rid of it.

Understand that while rust is not the problem it used to be for cars on the road today, it can still be a major concern.  Be sure to wash your car regularly, especially after a field trip.  That under-carriage cleaning that is offered at the carwash may seem frivolous, but it is worthwhile to get on occasion.

Once rust sets in, so does the permanent damage.  And like an ugly mindset, you can never completely get rid of it.  I question whether or not the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln will ever function at full proper strength again.  Don’t let that happen to your car.

Take care of your car.  Nowadays, it is far too expensive to get a new one.

Just imagine how expensive it would be to get a new aircraft carrier that has been sitting in salt water for too long, doing nothing but, well, whatever it was doing.