As gas prices continue to soar, with no relief in sight, many consumers are considering electric vehicles as an alternative source of transportation. The 2023 Toyota bZ4X is an all-new electric SUV in a growing EV market. Similar to the size of the popular Toyota RAV4, the small crossover is the first mass-produced electric vehicle from the automaker to skip the Japanese market and come straight to North America.

In comparison, the Toyota bZ4X electric SUV outperforms the Hyundai Ioniq 5, holding up to the rest of the competition as a solid contender in a rapidly growing segment. Here are three reasons you should consider buying a 2023 Toyota bZ4X over the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

1. The Toyota bZ4X has a lower starting price

One of the biggest advantages of the Toyota electric crossover SUV compared to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is its lower starting price.

The 2023 Toyota bZ4X base model XLE trim has a suggested MSRP of $42,000, excluding destination fees. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes slightly higher, with an MSRP of $44,000.

According to Car and Driver, the fully loaded Ioniq 5 hits $55,745 for its most expensive trim, the Limited Long Range AWD. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line Toyota bZ4x trim has a starting price of $48,780, with an additional $2,000 optional add-on for dual motors and all-wheel drive.

2. The bZ4X has a better fuel economy equivalent (MPGe)

With a one-speed direct-drive transmission, the front-wheel-drive Toyota EV delivers an estimated EPA combined 119 MPGe. According to Edmunds, the five-passenger SUV gets 131 MPGe city and 107 MPGe highway with an EPA electricity range of 222 to 252 miles and a battery capacity of 71.4 kWh.

The electric engine delivers 201 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque in the front-wheel-drive model and 214 hp in the all-wheel drive variant. The 2023 Toyota bZ4X features four-wheel independent suspension with a front and rear stabilizer bar for better handling.

Consumer Reports says, “Toyota estimates it can run 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. That makes it quicker than any other current Toyota SUV in our ratings that doesn’t plug in. The AWD version, with 13 more hp and an extra motor on the rear axle, is said to sprint to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, just shy of the time we recorded with a RAV4 Prime.”

The 2023 Toyota bZ4X outperforms the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 here, which according to Edmunds, has an EPA combined 114 MPGe, getting 132 MPGe city and 98 MPGe highway. They reported, “the dual-motor setup is an expensive upgrade and reduces estimated range” in the Hyundai electric SUV.

3. The Toyota EV has a higher ground clearance

Another significant advantage the Toyota bZ4X has over the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is its ground clearance of 8.1 inches. It is two full inches higher than the Ioniq 5, which has a low ground clearance of only 6.1 inches. While this measurement may not seem important, it can be an issue for EVs due to the battery placement under the car.

According to Toyota, “Drivers can experience top-notch driving performance thanks to the high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack placed flat under the floor, which gives it a low center of gravity. Drivers can steer with ease due in part to the battery cross-framing structure, which adds to the rigidity of the vehicle.”

CNET explains, “The 8.1 inches of ground clearance potentially give the bZ4X an advantage on dirt roads or poor weather compared to most of the low-slung electric crossovers in this class, particularly when mated with the AWD configuration’s X-Mode system.”