2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT First Test: Activate Real SUV Mode!

Motor Trend

2 days ago

Pros Proper fun in mild dirt
Great as an everyday do-it-all crossover
Built-in NACS convenience Cons Off-road gear brings on-road compromises
Using Tesla Superchargers not yet optimal
Price close to high-end Ioniq 5 Limited trim
Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 really an SUV? Despite winning our 2023 SUV of the Year award, the internet seemed stubbornly convinced that Hyundai's excellent EV just wasn't legit. In our (your author's) pursuit to prove its chops, we took our beloved Ioniq 5 long-term review vehicle off-roading, where it performed well despite the slick dirt under its all-season tires. Still, naysayers remained.
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Now, as part of the Ioniq 5's revamp for 2025, Hyundai has introduced an off-road-oriented XRT model. Equipped with rugged hardware and styling cues, the Ioniq 5 XRT seems more SUV-ish than its hatchback-adjacent basis normally suggests. Finding out if that really is the case meant taking the Ioniq 5 XRT out to the trail and track.
Recap: What's New for the 2025 Ioniq 5
Only a few years after its launch, production of the Ioniq 5 has shifted from Korea to Hyundai Motor Group's new Metaplant America facility near Savannah, Georgia, where the new 2025 models have been rolling out with several notable changes.
Primary among them is an increased capacity for its two battery pack options, now at 63.0 kWh or 84.0 kWh, up from 58.0 kWh or 77.4 kWh. The batteries are now charged via a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the interface designed by Tesla that allows for ready use of its Supercharger stations—although caveats to that exist, which we'll get to.
Among the subtle exterior changes, none are more useful than the addition of a rear windshield wiper, a glaring omission from the original iteration.
Inside, the 2025 Ioniq 5 features a revised center console with a relocated wireless charging pad, plus an updated climate control touch panel, both welcome and effective improvements. The infotainment system gains Hyundai's latest user interface, with increased processing power and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The stupendously sporty Ioniq 5 N remains as the lineup's performance standard bearer, and it's now joined by the new XRT, which adopts the name and requisite features emblematic of Hyundai's emerging off-road-inspired subbrand.
Beyond its stark black bumpers, the XRT rides on a raised suspension and 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The enhancements help increase ground clearance to 7.0 inches, up from 6.1 inches. Approach angle grows to 19.8 degrees from 17.5, departure to 30.0 degrees from 25.4, and breakover to 13.5 degrees from 11.8. Drive modes tuned for Snow, Mud, and Sand complete XRT-specific changes.
2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: On the Trail
The XRT might seem like a mere wheel and tire package, but Hyundai set it up with actual capability that spikes the fun factor. With 320 hp and 446 lb-ft on tap, it slings dirt adeptly and makes dust clouds aplenty. This rig is down to get rowdy off-road.
The XRT is more a rally ripper than rock crawler at its core. While its bumper angles limit it from conquering even moderate obstacles, it'll happily pound through dips and articulate over offset surfaces. Toggling through drive modes adjusts the dual-motor AWD system's torque split, such as a relatively balanced distribution in Sand or a more rear-oriented profile in Sport.
Gravel roads are where this Ioniq 5 really comes alive. There, its tires provide tangibly better grip and control, especially while sliding—defeating the traction and stability systems so it can get loose is a blast. Lift off to use the strong regenerative braking to load weight on the nose, then prod the accelerator to get the tail out. It gradually transitions into oversteer, the long wheelbase aiding stability.
Even if the suspension doesn't ride much higher, it's very well calibrated. That slight difference provides more leeway for the wheels and body to move, softening impacts and settling with beautifully smooth damping.
2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: On the Road
Despite its added capability, like any off-road-themed model of this type, the Ioniq 5 XRT will almost assuredly spend most of its time on pavement. There, the raised suspension provides a more commanding view of the road, like an SUV should. But the open tread of the all-terrain tires can lead to increased interior noise, and their taller sidewalls tend to flex more under lateral loads, causing a less steady sensation when tracking through curves—particularly at higher speeds. This isn't to say that the XRT is excessively noisy or unsteady in a general sense, but only relative to the standard Ioniq 5. Overall, the experience is very similar between the two models in most daily driving situations.
As such, the XRT is a similarly terrific everyday vehicle, providing good passenger and cargo space within its stylish, user-friendly cabin. Plenty of real buttons balance the digital touch controls. Hyundai's updated infotainment is quicker to respond and better-looking, and its navigation's on-route charge planning is much improved.
2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: At the Track
Our instrumented testing regimen revealed how much differently the Ioniq 5 XRT behaves at its limits as opposed to our previous long-term model.
Given that its motor output is identical to that of our AWD long-termer, it's no surprise the XRT was essentially as quick in a straight line. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, just 0.1 second off. Both versions posted a 13.2-second quarter-mile time, with the XRT's 102.3-mph trap speed just 1 mph less.
Also not surprisingly, the XRT's knobby tires led to some performance compromises. Its 60–0-mph braking distance is 137 feet, quite a bit longer than the Limited trim's 122-foot distance, which itself isn't a terrific result.
Additionally, skidpad grip of 0.74 g average is far less than the Limited trim's 0.87 g average. In our figure-eight test, the XRT posted a 26.9 second, 0.68 g average lap, compared to 25.6 seconds and 0.72 g average for the Ioniq 5 Limited.
2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: On a Plug
In our road trip range test, the Ioniq 5 XRT showed the worth of its larger 84.0-kWh battery by covering 244 miles, the most of any Ioniq 5 we've tested to date, although we're betting the standard updated Ioniq 5 will go farther.
With NACS built in, the 2025 Ioniq 5 gains access to more than 17,000 Tesla Supercharger stations, massively increasing ease of charging on long-distance drives. If only it were that simple.
Due to current hardware limitations of Tesla's fastest chargers, plugging into those is slower than using other 350-kW DC fast chargers and an adapter for CCS, the interface originally equipped on the Ioniq 5 and most non-Tesla EVs.
At a Supercharger, the XRT gained 90 miles of range in the first 15 minutes after plugging in at 5 percent state of charge. Repeating the test on a 350-kW Electrify America station, it gained 152 miles. A 5–80 percent session on a Supercharger took 32 minutes with an average charge rate of 125 kW. Meanwhile, on Electrify America that charge took 22 minutes with an average 186-kW rate.
Gaining NACS is a big benefit for convenience, and it effectively futureproofs the Ioniq 5 for when and if Tesla improves its Supercharger hardware. For now, though, going with yesterday's method provides faster charging. Read our 2025 Ioniq 5 charging analysis for more insight.
Finally, a Real SUV?
Taken as a whole, the Ioniq 5 XRT strikes a successful balance. It gains a burlier feel and legitimate capability to explore off the beaten path, and it's good fun to chuck down a dirt road.
But it doesn't sink so far into the figurative mud pit that it's not a nice everyday all-electric crossover, as well—it totally is. Anyone attracted to the XRT's black-bumpered, fat-tired aesthetic won't pay much of an on-road penalty.
They will, however, pay for the XRT trim. Our test version listed at $57,700 with extra-cost paint and rubber floormats as the only options. An AWD-equipped Ioniq 5 Limited doesn't cost much more and comes with niceties including a glass roof, ventilated front seats, and premium audio. That's still the better version for drivers who have no intention of heading off-road.
For those who do pony up for an XRT, though, they're in for an endearing, sweet all-electric SUV—yes, an SUV.