Driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT: This EV Accommodates Nicely, But Is It Comfortable Off-Road?
When parked next to a standard IONIQ 5, the exterior differences start to make themselves obvious. The XRT is lifted, comes standard with knobby and aggressive tires, more rugged body trimming, and has almost almost a full inch additional ground clearance.
It's also different on the inside. The driver's seat comes with more bolstering to keep you in place when the going gets tough, three distinct (and responsive) terrain modes, and dirt or dust-friendly upholstery.
The XRT is also a little more expensive than the standard IONIQ 5 with a starting price of $55,400, but for an off-road-ready EV SUV that can go over 250 miles on a full charge, it's etching out space in the new category of off-road EVs such as the Mustang Mach-E Rally and the Rivian R1S.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was a guest of Hyundai for this test drive, though all opinions and impressions are my own.
For a while, the N trim was the most expensive trim level of the IONIQ 5 with a price tag of $66,100. However, it was a more performance-oriented EV that was meant to serve as a seamless transition between gas-powered sports cars and all-electric ones.
Now the XRT stands between the N and the standard IONIQ 5, with a starting price of $55,400. But, what do you get for the extra coin? Well, quite a bit.
The exterior design doesn't change much, thankfully—but the changes do help spell out the fact that it's meant to handle rougher terrain, while the N was made for a track, and the standard IONIQ 5 is made for daily driving.
It's not so much that the XRT is built for heavy-duty off-roading – it's not – but it IS built for a little bit more of a beating than its regular counterpart. I was able to test it out on some rocky, dirt roads on a ranch outside of Palm Springs and it was an exhilarating blast. But I was also able to image how great it would handle in my former hometown of Denver, Colorado, on a snow day.
That's one of the great things about the XRT – it comes with terrain mode that has 3 settings: Snow, Mud, and Sand. At the press of a button at the base of the steering wheel, the XRT adjusts vehicle parameters like throttle calibration, wheel slip, AWD, and regenerative braking to improve handling on each terrain.
Kicking it into sand mode as I dipped and bounced on the dirt was super fun, and I could totally see how helpful snow mode would be when you're trying to safely navigate your daily commute. That inconvenient white stuff can make things a little extra challenging. And when that white stuff starts to melt? Mud mode adds even better traction.The Ioniq 5 XRT is loaded with a bunch of features that make it extra capable on rougher terrain. Most visibly, the lower front, rear, and sides are encased in a protective black digital camo cladding uniquely incorporating the trademark Ioniq parametric pixel aesthetic.
A bold, pixelated front grill greets you with 2 bright red recovery hooks in case you or someone else needs a rescue. Black exterior details like the rear spoiler and mirrors add to the toughened look.
And 18' glossy black XRT-exclusive wheels cap off the exterior with all-terrain tires ready for action. The interior echoes the dark trim with plush black textiles, subtle XRT embellishments, and extra bolstering to hold you in place.
These aesthetic features look really cool but some of the most impactful changes aren't visible at all. The XRT has almost a full-inch suspension lift and an improved approach and departure angle. All of which goes to say that you just kind of don't have to baby the XRT on rougher roads. It's ready for the challenge.
The IONIQ 5 is one of the FIRST non-Tesla vehicles to have a built-in NACS port, giving you default access to the Tesla charging network without an adapter. You'll still have to use an adapter to access CCS chargers but Hyundai is providing them for free, though.
When charging at a Tesla charger, you can look forward to going from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes; on a CCS charger with an adapter it's even faster: from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. Hyundai is also providing a free ChargePoint Charger or $400 charging credit to help you take care of your daily charging needs.
And then, Hyundai is part of the Ionna Rechargery network; the company partnered with GM, Stellantis, BMW, Honda, Kia and Toyota to build a charging network promising 30,000 fast chargers by 2030. The network just opened its first location in North Carolina and there are more are on the way.Hyundai finally delivered a change that many fans have been asking for—a rear windshield wiper. This is such an important addition, especially for those of in snowy climates.
They've also made some big changes to the interior. The dual 12.3-inch driver's display and multimedia display are now trimmed by black, creating a seamless blend that looks much more modern than previous model years.
The middle screen is lined by an updated row of tangible buttons for ease of use. The center console has been given an update. Side-by-side cup holders have been exchanged with front and back ones to make room for a wireless phone charger that's much more accessible to the driver.
There's also a new row of buttons loaded with all the most common things that you might be reaching for, like heated and ventilated seats and the parking camera. The wireless phone charger is extra handy since the IONIQ 5 now comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.Hyundai has prioritized usability and functionality without compromising on aesthetics or any of the standout IONIQ 5 features. But I have something to admit. I love the IONIQ 5. A small part of that is because I'm a right-leg amputee.
I drive with my left leg crossed over and that can be a hard thing to do in some cars. Some vehicles don't have that much legroom, but that's not the case with the IONIQ 5. Hyundai has taken full advantage of the flexible EV platform and the IONIQ 5 XRT has a beautifully open cabin with a ton of legroom.
The level of seat adjustability also makes it easy for me to find the perfect position for my extra accommodation needs. On top of that, the IONIQ 5 has lots of interior room but it's only 183 inches long, so it's still nimble and easy to park in a tight spot.
For me, the XRT trim of the IONIQ 5 is the ultimate. All its great features wrapped up into a rugged bundle resulted in a grin plastered on my face non-stop as I barreled and bounced through the dirt on the off-road track.
I wasn't sure I'd love driving off pavement. It took a few minutes for me to get comfortable and find my zone. But I did. And then, back on the street, I was able to settle in even more for a comfortable drive back to my hotel. I credit the Ioniq 5 XRT with that: great interior features and comforts no matter the trim, which isn't always the case for SUVs designed for bouncing around in the dirt. Which is the magic of the XRT: everything we love about the Ioniq 5 paired with a hearty sense of adventure.
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