Hyundai Tucson vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: fuel economy and fuel cost
In model year 2026 the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $800 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Ioniq 5 Standard range, 115 MPGe combined), against $1,720 for the Hyundai Tucson (Tucson Hybrid Blue, 38 MPG combined). That is $920 a year, or $4,600 over five years.
One of the two is electric-only; the other has no electric configuration in this model year. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.
The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.
- Hybrid
- Small SUVs
Hyundai Tucson
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Tucson Hybrid Blue
Plug-in versions (electric or plug-in hybrid) are not used for this headline; see the powertrain table below.
$11.47 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
5 configurations in MY2026
- Electric
- Small SUVs
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Lowest fuel cost configuration
Ioniq 5 Standard range
$5.33 per 100 miles
15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
245 mi EPA range · 29 kWh/100 mi
7 configurations in MY2026
What the fuel costs
Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration
- Hyundai Tucson$1,720 a year · $11.47 per 100 mi
- Hyundai Ioniq 5$800 a year · $5.33 per 100 mi
Difference per year
$920
Hyundai Ioniq 5 costs less to fuel
Over 5 years
$4,600
$920 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices
Head to head, MY2026
| Measure | Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost configuration | Tucson Hybrid Blue | Ioniq 5 Standard range |
| Powertrain | Hybrid | Electric |
| Combined rating | 38 MPG | 115 MPGe |
| City rating | 38 MPG | 131 MPGe |
| Highway rating | 38 MPG | 100 MPGe |
| EPA range | — | 245 mi |
| Electricity use | — | 29 kWh/100 mi |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,720/yr | $800/yr (better) |
| Cost per 100 miles | $11.47 | $5.33 (better) |
| Annual cost range, all configurations | $1,470–$2,470 | $800–$1,310 |
| Configurations in MY2026 | 5 | 7 |
| EPA class | Small SUVs | Small SUVs |
Best configuration by powertrain
| Powertrain | Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai Ioniq 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 28 MPG · $2,360/yr Tucson | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Hybrid | 38 MPG · $1,720/yr Tucson Hybrid Blue | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Plug-in hybrid | 35 MPG gas-only · $1,470/yr Tucson Plug-in Hybrid | Not offered in MY2026 |
| Electric | Not offered in MY2026 | 115 MPGe · $800/yr Ioniq 5 Standard range |
Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.
Where each one comes out ahead
Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.
Hyundai Tucson
- Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Ioniq 5 does not
- Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Ioniq 5 does not
- Offers plug-in hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Ioniq 5 does not
Hyundai Ioniq 5
- Lower annual fuel cost: $800 vs $1,720
- Offers electric configurations in MY2026; the Hyundai Tucson does not
Ratings in MPG and MPGe are not compared directly here; annual fuel cost is the common yardstick.
Year by year
| Model year | Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combined | Per year | Combined | Per year | |
| 2026 | 26–38 MPG | $1,470–$2,470 | 71–115 MPGe | $800–$1,310 |
| 2025 | 26–38 MPG | $1,470–$2,490 | 71–115 MPGe | $800–$1,310 |
| 2024 | 25–38 MPG | $1,430–$2,570 | 99–114 MPGe | $820–$930 |
| 2022 | 26–38 MPG | $1,430–$2,550 | 98–114 MPGe | $820–$940 |
Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to fuel, the Hyundai Tucson or the Hyundai Ioniq 5?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is cheaper: about $800 a year against $1,720 for the Hyundai Tucson, a difference of $920 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.
How much would the Hyundai Ioniq 5 save over five years?
About $4,600 ($920 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.
Can MPG and MPGe be compared?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is rated 115 MPGe and the Hyundai Tucson 38 MPG. MPGe is the EPA's way of expressing electric efficiency per 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. It is a different measure from gasoline MPG, so annual fuel cost ($800 vs $1,720) is the better yardstick.
How is the annual fuel cost calculated?
Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.
Are the Hyundai Tucson and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 in the same class?
Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.
Explore these cars
- Hyundai Tucson: ratings, trims and every model year
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: ratings, trims and every model year
- 2026 Hyundai Tucson: all configurations
- 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5: all configurations
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