A lot of the new cars that are on the market right now are EVs, and not only that, but automakers are also investing in making different types of EVs. That’s why the electric SUV segment is growing so rapidly, but with so many options on the market, EV shoppers may not be choosing the best electric SUV that they can buy. Here’s a look at how the best electric SUV right now isn’t the most popular option with drivers.

This is the highest-rated electric SUV on the market right now

MotorTrend published a list of the best electric SUVs on the market, and the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 had the highest score overall as it got a 9.6 out of 10. As with any great car, the car critic liked the Ioniq 5 for a variety of reasons. The South Korean automaker is selling the electric SUV at a starting MSRP of about $41,500.

That’s pricey for most households but relatively affordable compared to other EVs. Plus, that price tag pays for a lot of features that car shoppers want from a car. For example, the Ioniq 5 has a stylish exterior and a premium and futuristic interior. The seats are spacious and comfortable, and heated front seats are standard.

Additionally, for the 2023 model year, Hyundai gave the car a standard battery heating system, and this should improve its efficiency. It also comes standard with many tech features. The two big ones are the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display and the 12.3-inch touchscreen. Both are standard, but MotorTrend wasn’t fond of this “screen-heavy interior” design.

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is great, but it’s not selling very well

In addition to those features, the South Korean automaker gave the Ioniq 5 a capable powertrain. The standard option has a single electric motor that gets 168 hp, and it’s paired with a 58-kWh battery. The optional powertrains get a 77.4-kWh battery, and that’s paired with either a 225-hp electric motor or two electric motors that get a combined 320 hp.

The standard powertrain gets 220 miles of range, while the longest-range option gets 303 miles of range. The 320-hp option also gets all-wheel drive, but it only gets 260 miles of range. Those are good range numbers, and the electric SUV also charges quickly. When it’s plugged into the fastest charging stations, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. 

Despite the great review and the Ioniq 5’s capable specs, it’s not selling well, according to GoodCarBadCar. So far in 2023, Hyundai has sold about 5,700 units of the electric SUV. Those numbers mean that the Ioniq 5 is selling worse than cars like the Chevy Trax, the Toyota Venza, and the Kia Rio.

These EVs are outselling the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

Not only are the sales sub-par, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s numbers have declined compared to last year. In the same time period in 2022, Hyundai sold about 6,200 units of the Ioniq 5. That means that it’s selling 8% worse compared to 2022. Those weak numbers also mean that the Ioniq 5 is selling worse than many of its competitors.

The Chevy Bolt, for example, is selling well, it’s sold 19,700 units so far in 2023. The Tesla Model Y, however, is dominating the segment. Tesla’s sold 85,000 units of the Model Y so far in 2023. That makes it the fourth-best-selling car overall in the year, and it also makes it the best-selling SUV and the best-selling EV of the year so far.

There’s clearly a discrepancy between quality and popularity, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Hyundai Ioniq 5 should be on your list to consider.