• The Ioniq 5 continues to gain traction, with year-to-date sales up 36 percent in 2025.
• Hyundai has reduced the 2026 Ioniq 5 prices by as much as $9,800 across all trims.
• Deep discounts on 2025 models make them still worth considering.
• Buyers must weigh the savings against minor updates for 2026.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is quite popular right now in the US, with sales figures backing it up. As of September 2025, Hyundai has moved 41,091 units of the model – a 36 percent increase compared with the same period last year. That momentum is expected to continue into 2026, thanks to an aggressive pricing strategy that makes the updated model substantially cheaper even without the now-defunct federal EV tax credit.

For 2026, the Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range starts at $35,000 before destination fees, representing a $7,600 drop versus 2025. Higher trims, such as the SEL RWD and SEL AWD, see cuts approaching $9,800.

The price shifts naturally make the Ioniq 5 a more convincing option in the under-$40,000 segment. Still, with 2025 inventories lingering on dealership lots, it raises the question of whether buyers should skip ahead or look back. Interestingly, they should do the latter, considering the prices we’ve seen in current listings.

2025 Ioniq 5 Inventory Prices Reveal Huge Dealer Discounts

A search through inventories found on Cars.com reveals huge price cuts on 2025 Ioniq 5 units across several trims – some well below Hyundai’s new 2026 pricing.

The SE Standard Range is listed as low as $29,940, down from an MSRP of $44,395, roughly $6,600 less than the 2026 version. The SE trim starts at $33,490, a significant drop from its $48,490 MSRP. The SEL is priced as low as $35,238 versus $51,440 MSRP, making it even cheaper than the 2026 SE RWD, which starts at $37,500.

Meanwhile, the Limited trim can be found for $40,100, compared to $56,000 MSRP, which undercuts the 2026 Limited RWD at $45,075. The rugged Ioniq 5 XRT, priced at $42,093, is now $14,907 less than its $57,000 MSRP, and remains below the 2026 XRT’s $46,275.

Even with Hyundai’s sweeping MSRP adjustments for 2026, many 2025 units on dealer lots remain the better value when factoring in current discounts and incentives.

What Buyers Might Miss in the 2026 Update

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 carries no major mechanical changes, but it benefits from minor software refinements, faster charging calibration, and improved UI. Trim levels remain largely the same, though Hyundai has streamlined certain option packages for better inventory management.

That means buyers choosing 2025 models aren’t missing out on much – aside from a new color or software tweak. For most, the choice comes down to whether immediate savings outweigh incremental updates. Given current market pricing, the outgoing Ioniq 5 still stands as a compelling deal, especially for those ready to make the switch to an EV before year’s end.