Ioniq 5 SEL vs Limited Side by Side Comparison | Worth an Extra $5500?

After nearly a year of ownership, I'm finally able to spend some time with an Ioniq 5 Limited so I can compare it with my 2022 Ioniq 5 SEL. If you're in the same boat as me trying to decide whether you want to keep an Ioniq 5 SE or SEL or trade it in for a Limited trim, this is the video for you! If you're in this predicament, leave a comment below with what you decided to do.
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0:00 Intro
1:58 Exterior Differences
9:05 Interior Differences
22:19 Wrap-Up

[@pittsites]

Thanks for all the useful information you provide. We're in our 80s, and early last year we decided to get a new car. Since it would probably be the last car for us, we wanted to get an EV. After doing a lot of research, we decided that the only car we wanted was an Ioniq 5 Limited in either Atlas White or Lucid Blue. We were on a waiting list at most dealers in California and one in Nevada. Fortunately, a relative had a connection with someone who owned a dealership in Southern California, and in July we were able to get a Limited AWD in Atlas White at MSRP. The features exclusive to the Limited trim that are most important to us are the HUD, the sunroof, and the blind spot view monitor (BVM). I don’t think you mentioned the BVM in your video, but isn’t it exclusive to the Limited trim? We've had the car for almost 8 months, but we haven't yet tried the parking assist feature. We've taken a couple of road trips, and the fast-charging network in California and Northern Nevada is terrible. Fortunately, most of our driving is local, and we have a Level 2 charger in our garage.

[@TheSpartan948265]

Just got my 2023 Limited AWD in Abyss Black. I waited 4 months and got it last week. Thank you for these super helpful videos. I love mine!!!!

[@jeffreywong6842]

I reached out to a lot of dealers last March in search for a limited and lucked out and found one in NY that had one incoming and was willing to sell for MSRP. Picked up May 2022 and drove it all the way back here in California. Drive was well worth it (and savings compared to what CA dealers markup). Got 9k miles on it now, additional $$ for Limited trim is well worth it for what you get IMO.

[@leonbenjamin7891]

Thanks for a great review!

[@lanceareadbhar]

I have a 2022 RWD model and I'm split on upgrading to get the battery preconditioning as I don't normally travel much in the winter, but the few times I have, it certainly would have been nice to have. I'm also considering the SE Ioniq 6 if I upgrade for that range boost, but sacrificing storage space. Great video as always.

[@brucejankowitz4501]

this is great, I'll be getting one of these. One of the other differences are the turn signal enabled side view in the dash on the limited.

[@ltkwok]

nice detailed comparison. The nerdier the better.

[@MegaSn0wb0ardJunkie]

It seems there are so many reasons to upgrade...except the cost. I'm hoping I get my car back and fixed properly so I don't lose the front lighting system or else I will be "forced" into limited. I hate that the 23 SEL has the base model outside lighting system as the SE now. I guess we'll see what happens. It's been 107 excruciating days without my car now. Crossing my fingers that Hyundai can get this taken care of soon. Its nice to see people getting their car back from the 12v battery issues. Great video once again abd look forward to more as usual!

[@axion8788]

Good work. My 2021 Sante Fe Calligraphy has 95% of the cool electronics and they all work remarkably well. Waiting (maybe forever🤔)for the absurd lease price for the LTD to come down.

[@oliverkentish9468]

Always look forward to your informative videos, Corbin! My 2022 AWD (which where I live they call 'Comfort') only differs from the Limited trim in only a handful of things: I have no memory seats, or calf-rest, but great electrical adjustments for driver and front passenger. No panoramic roof and no electrically-operated rear seats and there is no fancy camera/parking assist and no blind-spot indications on the cluster. However, I do have the moveable console and V2L under the rear seat and also the luggage cover. The subwoofer is a real space-stealer, I could so easily live without that. Otherwise, everything is the same as the Limited - did Hyundai do a "Premium" Limited for the US and a "Not-so-great" Limited for Europe, i wonder?

[@4thdistrict476]

How are your tinted windows on the front side windows holding up? I am considering the same, but I've never had any before thus no experience to base it on so I am concerned about deterioration and durability. Thanks for the review. We waited almost 10 months for our Limited AWD in Lucid Blue with white interior, my wife's first choice. The Digital Teal was my first choice. The dealer had both for us to choose from. My wife got to choose, so Lucid Blue it is. We've had it for less than four weeks.

[@daviddun1389]

Good job, I love my Ultimate. Live in Canada, the battery pre conditioning will not be available until summer. So fast charging for now is limited to 45kw, not the desired 150 or 200kw

[@bibian2523]

I can’t wait for your final decision , I was indecisive at first but the price upgrade wasn’t worth it for me (12k in August 2022)

[@davebryer6133]

Great job on mentioning the headlight downgrade in the 2023 SEL. Sadly still no rear window wiper. I hope they soon get their route planning to chargers up to Tesla specs.

[@cathrynreimanis6803]

Can't agree more! No Level 3 charging stations from Caspar, WY to Billings, MT. Lack of window wiper means frequent trips to the car wash, but it is such a sweeet car. couldn't be happier. And Mr, Ioniq Guy, you are my hero! You have made this transition into EV land totally doable!

[@OrionDC]

Spy shots of the "N" version of the 5 seem to indicate that a rear window wiper is coming.

[@lanceareadbhar]

I'll just hope for better route planning. It's hard to match Tesla given the amount of funding they have, but they can definitely do better.

[@imSterling]

I'd say that the panoramic glass roof is worth going for the Limited and since it has a built in shade, there's no worries about heat during the summer 👍

[@pinocleen]

And you also get seat ventilation in addition to "rear defroster", aka, heated seats.

[@GunitEngage]

All the included Options in the Limited are good value. In Germany Sun roof, relax seats, 20" wheels, safety Tech, Bose cost a lot more. I will come to 80k€...i have the very base model with 58kWh now. Very Happy for now.

[@kmonto1971]

Just got a 2023 Hyundai ioniq5 SEL as there were zero Limited ones available. The only issue my wife has, it's her daily driver now, is no memory seats, no front forward camera for parking, and no cool seat feature. Don't think that would be worth 5K. SO I think we did good on this and enjoyed the 3750 off MSRP.

[@BassKlef1]

If I upgrade (I have the Limited) I would go for the Ioniq 5 N, but jury is still out on if the N is worth the upgrade. I love my Limited.

[@donmacgregor2374]

For the additional money I wonder if the additions are worth it? I would rather have a solar panel than the sun roof.

[@SriSri-fo2je]

Ionic 5 vs 6? Your recommendation? Thanks

[@GL1800TP]

Nice job! I have a deposit for a 2025 Ultimate AWD (Canada)… it will be interesting to see what changes are made in the next 2 model years.

[@robbourgonje1928]

At the moment I have a 2022 limited ioniq 5 and waiting (for 18 months ) for a 77Kw Limited 2023 I wonder if you will notice the difference from the new backh suspension dempers and if the LFA is working without the constant adjustments I like your videos 👍👍

[@TheIoniqGuy]

I compared part numbers on the rear suspension when I had both and they have the same part numbers. Since it was never announced on our press release, I think markets out of the US are the only ones that got the fancy dampers

[@ltkwok]

I would like the Limited trim with the smaller wheels.

[@4thdistrict476]

Ride quality with the larger wheels is quite good. I honestly can't tell the difference between the two sizes after having test driven both. I believe that Hyundai has tuned the limited AWD suspension specifically for these wheels.

[@PeterKyllesbeck]

The my23 does come with frequency dampers on the rear axel

[@TheIoniqGuy]

Are you in Europe? I compared part numbers on the rear suspension when I had both and they have the same part numbers. Since it was never announced on our press release, I think markets out of the US are the only ones that got the fancy dampers

[@argystar]

What about the heat pump? My Ioniq 5 Epiq (as the top of the line AWD model is called in Australia) has the heat pump as standard which has superior cooling and heating capacity with lower energy consumption. My Epiq also has as standard the digital rear view cameras instead of exterior rear view mirrors. Everyone told me that they would not show depth, and would be no good in the dark and other scary things. Let me tell you they are fabulous. In wet weather there is no wet driver's window to obscure the view, you have more pan and tilt than the mirrors AND zoom as well. And the pixel lighting built around each camera housing is seriously impressive as well as being a great safety feature. Each jurisdiction has idiosyncratic laws that must drive manufacturers nuts. You aren't allowed the digital rear view cameras, or at least not in many States, and in Australia the auto lane changing is prohibited - no idea why! Also interested to hear that you only have a 2,300 lb tow hitch rating whereas we get significantly more with 1,650 kg even for an unbraked trailer.

[@erwingvargas2272]

Yeah, I've now test driven Tesla Y, ionic 5 SEL, and Mach e premium and i can tell you Hyundai falls short on what features they include for their SEL trim for similar pricing of other companies, i dont know why really

[@ELMS]

One thing I have never been able to get to work on my limited is the voice command system. It doesn’t matter what I say to it, it just fails to recognize the instruction. If you get a chance it would be interesting to see a video on that. Thanks for these videos, they’re very informative.

[@pinocleen]

Your phone needs to be connected via USB cable and android auto/car play connection for that to work.

[@howardschoenberger3526]

@@pinocleen No, when you are connected via Carplay Siri takes over the voice recognition and the car's built in does not operate.

[@pinocleen]

@@howardschoenberger3526 Not sure then, I use android and assumed Apple would be the same.

[@4thdistrict476]

@@pinocleen Nope. The on board voice commands are separate.

[@4thdistrict476]

I use mine all the time. Seems to work fine. It's limited with the commands that are recognized - as most are - but works for the commands it is set up to recognize. I use voice commands to set the cabin temperature, change the fan speed, turn on or off the seat warmers, etc.

[@allenrosenblatt4376]

You forgot about the Blind spot monitoring that shows on the console when signaling left and right!

[@TheIoniqGuy]

Indeed I did

[@russellmulvihill157]

This November I will finally have enough money to buy a limited outright. mostly so that I can get that roof. Do you know the measurements of the back cargo area? a lot of places mention the volume but I'm more interested in how many inches from side to side, and back of rear seats to hatch.

[@TheIoniqGuy]

47in wide on the upper side of the trunk opening and 41in on the bottom of the tailgate. 38 inches deep

[@russellmulvihill157]

@@TheIoniqGuy awesome thank you. I look forward to being an ioniq owner. It just might be a bit tight for the 4 dogs.

[@roadstoride-norway101]

i got an awd 2023, with all the features of your limited. but without the sun roof. so its like i am in between SEL & Limited?🤔 i got confused Lol

[@TheIoniqGuy]

You must not be in the US then, right?

[@roadstoride-norway101]

@@TheIoniqGuy nope! norway 🇳🇴 i got mine last week👌 thanks for keeping us updated here 🙂

[@tubelator]

I got the all options AWD with panoramic roof. I keep it closed.. :) so usless option.

[@alanrichins2382]

Just to mention, you missed one of the most important features on the Limited that's not on the lower trim models. The moving/sliding back seats. You mention that the subwoofer takes up space, but the sliding rear seat allows one to be increase the space behind the seat. I was able to fit two full sized suitcases and four carry-on roller bags in back and four passangers. Can't carry that many suitcases and passangers in a RAV4!!!

[@TheIoniqGuy]

My SEL has sliding seats, that’s why I didn’t mention it. This was meant to compare SEL with limited. They’re extremely useful though for cargo flexibility. Definitely a great feature no previous car of mine has had

[@alanrichins2382]

@@TheIoniqGuy Thanks for the clerification. I didn't know that. I thought it was limited to the Limited!

[@steffenjensen9350]

That subwoofer can easily be removed for additional space. It’s only a box with a speaker, connected via plug in front of box,,,buy a new floor mat, or cut in the original.

[@volcalstone]

It's just a shame that they would downgrade the SEL and only after just a year. I hope they did decrease the price due to this but I'm pretty sure they didn't. I feel like the new SEL should just be the SE. They should create a new SEL that has some of the Limited stuff. This way not everyone will need to go after the Limited trim. Hyundai knows that most people are willing to shell out more money to get some additional creature comforts. I also feel like they should add on to the Limited trim as well by giving rear heated seats & auto up/down rear windows. I feel like they need to improve in general by giving us an opening sunroof pano roof instead, rear wiper, & walk way auto-close. If all of these could be met honestly there is on reason to get any Genesis products at all but of course they're not going to give us everything we want at an entry level brand. They want you to pay more to get everything you want. They're now releasing the electronic GV70! It seems to check all the boxes but for me the Ioniq 5 is still the best looking semi affordable EV to me. It's just one of kind if you ask me in a world full of basic looking EVs (looking at you Telsa).

[@AeschylusShepherd]

IMHO I would hold off on upgrading until Hyundai IONIQ 5 can qualify for the $7500 Federal tax discount. I know many people were talking about Tesla Model Y is cheaper. But Tesla is not an option for me, due to poor build, poor paint quality and you don't get the three year of free Electrify America either. If it wasn't for the Federal Tax discount and the 3 year free EA charging I probably would never of purchased my IONIQ 5. I also had the dreaded 12 volt issue back November and did not get my car fixed and returned until a few days ago. Don't get me wrong, I love my IONIQ 5, the ride and build quality it on point. My main concern is the electrical system design and reliability. So far since I have had my I5 back, it has been behaving as expected. The only thing I am bothered by is the fact you can lose 1-2% state of charge over night. I've started plugging in my I5 with the Level 1 charger over night so it's a way to mitigate it. Thanks for the comparison! My car is a 2022 Hyundai IONIC 5 Limited AWD.

[@dabug74]

I have a ‘22 SEL. I would have loved the panoramic roof and maybe the v2L, otherwise it’s a few nice-to-haves and a bunch of things I don’t really want. The $4500-5000 price difference just wasn’t worth it for those two things I wanted.

[@howardschoenberger3526]

I thought that before I got my Limited, but I found I absolutely love the HUD feature, and the ventilated seats. Did not think I would value either, but definitely do.

[@dabug74]

@@howardschoenberger3526 I forgot about the HUD. That is definitely nice-to-have feature IMO. I haven’t really found the ventilated seats to be something i’d need. I should have also mentioned my other reason for saving that money, which is that I figured it would take a big chunk out of the cost of a solar install, which I got back in August.

[@keithmaher9576]

Have you made a decision? I can't find the follow up video

[@TheIoniqGuy]

Haven’t edited that video yet but I’ll hopefully get to it soon

[@merkeydizzle]

If you could only afford an SEL why not get a Niro Wave. More affordable but with all of the features. HUD, upgraded stereo, heated and ventilated seats, memory seats, auto wipers, all LED lights, sun roof, most importantly a rear wiper 🤣, and there are a few more I’m missing.

[@YeOldeTraveller]

For me, the glass roof is a negative. The shade helps, but heat or light is not why I don't want one. It is sad to hear about the downgrades on the SEL. The '22 SEL was the best fit for me with what I really wanted and nothing I don't want.

[@youtubetrollking1880]

How is the white interior wearing. I like how it looks, but dread the upkeep.

[@TheIoniqGuy]

Looks as good as the day I bought it

[@ahmadalanjary2020]

Model Y suspension is double A arm (like a high end German car , or real truck / suv), Not a McPherson strut like this ioniq. Not as good for handling , and not as good for modifying (either for track use or even lifting it for off road use). At least the vehicles weight is the same as tesla Y, which is very hard for most other EVs to match , so good job there Hyundai.

[@scottobrien963]

No comparison. Go Limited!!!

[@cedricchim3014]

Wireless charging and carplay

[@GeoffJohnson]

My SEL has both of those

[@MAGApepe]

well really no ev is worth it being 50% more over the ice car