SUV comparison
Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Subaru Forester
Which costs less to own over 5 years? Compare purchase price, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation — then customize with your own numbers.
Both vehicles are in the suv class — a fair apples-to-apples comparison.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Subaru Forester: Quick Verdict
Based on average driving (12,000 miles/year), the Subaru Forester costs approximately $874 less over 5 years compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The gas vehicle's lower purchase price outweighs the EV's fuel savings at this mileage.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
$41,800
purchase price
Subaru Forester
$33,695
purchase price
Gas saves
$874
over 5 years
Customize your mileage, gas price, and electricity rate below to get a personalized comparison.
Your Numbers
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Average American drives ~13,500 miles/year
Charge at home overnight — cheapest option
Too Close to Call
Gas saves you
$874
over 5 years
EV saves per month
$108
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
4.9 years
within ownership
The difference between the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Subaru Forester is small — only $874 over 5 years.
Gas saves you
$874
over 5 years (all-in)
EV saves per month
$108
fuel + maintenance
Operating cost payback
4.9 years
achievable within ownership
Vehicles compared
Ioniq 5 · Forester · RAV4 Hybrid
EV · Gas · Hybrid
Full Cost Breakdown
| Hyundai Ioniq 5Electric | Subaru ForesterGas | Toyota RAV4 HybridBestHybrid | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $41,800 | $33,695 | $35,385 |
| Monthly Fuel | $38 | $121 | $88 |
| Annual Fuel | $452 | $1,448 | $1,050 |
| Total Fuel | $2,262 | $7,241 | $5,250 |
| Total Maintenance | $2,750 | $5,250 | $5,000 |
| Total Insurance | $9,750 | $8,750 | $9,250 |
| Resale Value | $22,990 | $22,239 | $24,062 |
| Total Cost of Ownership | $33,572 | $32,698 | $30,823 |
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Electric
Subaru Forester
Gas
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Hybrid
Cost Over 5 Years
Why This Result
At your inputs, neither option has a decisive cost advantage. Small changes in gas prices, electricity rates, or driving habits could tip the balance either way. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid may offer a good compromise between cost and efficiency.
Fuel vs Charging
Charging the Ioniq 5 costs about $452/year vs $1448/year for gas in the Forester. That's $996/year in fuel savings alone.
Maintenance
EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, less brake wear, no transmission fluid. The Ioniq 5 saves roughly $2500 in maintenance over the ownership period.
Depreciation & Resale
The Forester holds 66% of its value vs 55% for the Ioniq 5. Purchase price and resale value are often the largest factors in total cost of ownership.
Insurance
EV insurance tends to run higher due to specialized repair costs. We've included $1,950/year for the Ioniq 5 vs $1,750/year for the Forester in the total comparison.
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EV vs Gas is a close call for me — only $874 difference over 5 years. Check yours → isevworthit.com
About the Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a fully electric suv with an efficiency of 0.29 kWh per mile. Priced at $41,800, it costs around $550/year to maintain and $1,950/year to insure.
About the Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is a gas-powered suv achieving 29 MPG. Priced at $33,695, it costs around $1,050/year to maintain and $1,750/year to insure. This is a direct apples-to-apples comparison within the same vehicle class.
How We Calculate Total Cost
Total cost of ownership includes purchase price, fuel or charging costs over your ownership period, annual maintenance, annual insurance, minus estimated resale value based on depreciation. This gives you the true all-in cost of each vehicle — not just the sticker price.