The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a bit more expensive to lease this month, but it’s still a great deal

This one is about a car lease deal, not a home energy upgrade, so it falls outside what Retrofit Relay usually covers. Still, here's the gist for anyone weighing an electric vehicle purchase alongside home upgrades.

Hyundai's IONIQ 5 electric SUV starts at $35,000 for 2026, one of the cheapest EVs on the market. Lease prices ticked up slightly this month: outside California, leases now start at $319 a month for 24 months with $4,999 due at signing, about $10 more than August, with up to $5,000 in total savings available. California buyers can lease starting at $329 a month and may qualify for an extra $3,500 discount through Hyundai's MyFirstEV program. Buyers can also choose 0% financing for up to 72 months with no payments due for 90 days.

Compared to other EVs, the IONIQ 5 still looks like one of the better deals. The Toyota bZ, Tesla Model Y, and Kia EV3 all cost more per month once fees and upfront payments are factored in, except the EV3 Wind, which comes in cheaper but with less range, cargo room, and charging speed than the IONIQ 5.

For homeowners thinking about pairing an EV with home upgrades like a heat pump or a Level 2 charger, this is mainly useful as a snapshot of current pricing rather than a rebate or incentive tied to your house. No federal tax credit applies here since that program expired last year.