Latest news with #HyundaiIONIQ5XRT
Auto Blog
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Ford Isn't Going to Like the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT's Price and Rugged Looks
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Ready or not, off-road-ready EVs are here For a lot of people I know, when you say 'off-road' and 'EV' in the same sentence, the first thing they typically ask is, 'Aren't you worried about running out of battery while you're in the middle of nowhere?' Or, they'll say something along the lines of, 'I definitely wouldn't trust an EV off-road.' I hate to say it, but I was one of those people. Until I reviewed the Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT, which pushed me to become almost obsessed with the development and success of off-road-ready EVs. Especially when a Rivian won the notoriously difficult and very remote Rebelle Rally event, and it was the first EV to do so. It showed me (and many others) that EVs belonged in the off-road space, and weren't as fragile as most people assumed. 0:08 / 0:09 2025 Honda Accord: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More Don't get me wrong, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT is no Jeep Wrangler. It's not going to rock crawl, climb crazy vertical hills, or go deep into any remote forest or desert. Its low ground clearance will make sure of that. However, it worked amazingly as a scouting car while I had it. I was able to log cool trails into my phone to take my Jeep on later. It felt like a peppy, roomy, and very fun rally car, especially when you get the back end loose on the gravel. It's quick, but not blindingly fast, the brakes are sharp, the turning is responsive, and I never left the driver's seat in a bad mood. Even if I was going to the grocery store or bringing my husband some lunch. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, however, is what the XRT is, but on steroids. It's lifted, has more aggressive off-road-oriented drive modes, quite a bit more horsepower, two more inches higher ground clearance, and truer rally-esque styling. So, why should Ford be nervous about the little Hyundai EV? Two 'P' words come to mind: Price and personality. The Hyundai's design language is a lot more fun If I were to describe the looks of both EVs as a genre of music, I feel like the IONIQ 5 XRT would be upbeat techno or EDM music. Its square LED headlights, pixel-y texturing on the black exterior wheel well cladding, front and rear bumpers, and interior accent pieces give the Hyundai a quirky character and help separate it from other off-road EVs. It brought energy, excitement, and an unexplainable buzz into the cabin. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Source: Kristen Brown Those looks paired with the burly Continental CrossContact AT tires that come with it from the factory, immediately reminded me of the old Australian 4×4 videos I'd watch on YouTube, where the spotter was barefoot, shirtless, and on his 14th beer of the night, dancing while instructing a driver over a tough obstacle. Or when Michael Scott rolled into the frame in his convertible PT Cruiser listening to Lady Gaga. These examples are my way of saying that whatever you plan on doing with the IONIQ 5 XRT, you know it's going to be a fun time. The Ford looks lean a lot more on the motorsports angle. Regardless of what color you buy it in, it comes with two matte black racing stripes down the hood and down the trunk, beautiful rally-inspired wheels, and an interior fit for an autocross track. The seats are bolstered to the extreme, designed to keep you steady while you fling mud, dirt, or gravel. Source: Ford There's an interesting mix of microfiber, fabric, and leather on the inside that I couldn't help but dread to clean if you left the windows down while driving off-road. The Hyundai's interior is much simpler, with standard seats, easy-to-clean matte black surfaces, and cargo mats all around. The Mustang takes itself much more seriously than the Hyundai does, which isn't necessarily a bad thing—it's much more than an appearance package. The XRT made for a charming family hauler My two toddler girls were very easy to pack into the Hyundai. The lower anchors were easy to find and secure to the seat buckles, and the top tether was on the back of the seat, though accessing it did require climbing into the trunk (which was much larger than I expected) to tighten it. Once the seats were in, I won't lie—I wished it had a sunroof. My daughters love looking out of the sunroof, especially while we're going off-road, but they did enjoy the large windows in the back. My oldest daughter's favorite feature, however, was how quick the Hyundai was in Sport mode. She was regularly asking me to go 'fasser.' Source: Kristen Brown The lack of a transmission tunnel made the interior incredibly spacious, and Hyundai was very clever to include several cubby holes, shelves, sleeves, and other places to keep my things. The sliding center console (up to 5 inches forwards or backwards) became one of my favorite center console features ever because I could create more space in the front or for rear passengers easily. When it came time to film and take pictures of it, I was able to keep my camera gear on the shelf built into the center console, move it back a bit, and then have my filming bag in front. All of those items, which normally take up a good portion of a car's trunk, took minimal effort to store, and having everything up front made it so much easier to film and photograph. The rear seats are spacious in the Mustang Mach-E, too. I liked the display quality in the giant touchscreen, the digital gauges were responsive and vibrant, and the driver's seat was insanely comfortable. However, I enjoyed the layout of the Hyundai a bit more. It felt more intuitive and less like it was trying hard to be a race car. However, I acknowledge that this is a matter of personal preference and not something to take clinically. I wasn't as scared that my toddlers to spill things as I was in the Mach-E, either. Pricing is a big separator, too Since the Ford is much more of a true rally-inspired build, it's obviously more expensive. The starting price is $60,990 and increases to $64,585 if you opt for the Star White metallic tri-color paint, power cord, and a three-year subscription to BlueCruise. However, it does boast 480 horsepower, a range of approximately 265 miles (thanks to all-wheel drive), and a relatively quick charging speed. The AWD Hyundai starts at $55,500 and has a typical range of around 280 miles. The Hyundai, though, is the only one of the two that still qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit when you buy one. The Mustang only applies for the credit if it's leased. The IONIQ 5 is now built in the company's Georgia plant, while the Mustang is built in Mexico. Source: Kristen Brown Depending on the state in which the Hyundai is bought, the tax break can be applied and used as a down payment, used to reduce the overall price of the vehicle, or put towards the monthly payments when it's leased. You'd just have to do your research before you go in with your guns blazing. So, when you look at it that way, the MSRP for the Hyundai technically drops to $48,050, making it much more accessible to a lot more people. In this economy, a less capable model with more range and passenger space might be more appealing. Final thoughts Both cars come from companies known for their quality EVs. The Mustang Mach-E has been recognized multiple times for its vast trim options, friendly price range, battery and range options (like extended range or standard models), chargeability, reliability, and customer satisfaction. At one point, Ford was literally giving people EV chargers if they bought one. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is popular for the same reasons. The little SUV (which I'll argue is more of a hatchback) is capable, spacious, comfortable, and affordable. Hyundai's screen layout and physical buttons for driver controls will always be the way I'd set up an EV, instead of a giant iPad slapped onto the center of the dash where every single driver control is hidden. Source: Kristen Brown I enjoyed being in the Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT. If I were in the market for an EV, that would be the one I'd buy. Its styling and personality won me over immediately, while it took me a while to warm up to the Ford. I think that's why the XRT model is catching on so quickly—more people are feeling it, too. About the Author Kristen Brown View Profile
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT: This EV Accommodates Nicely, But Is It Comfortable Off-Road?
Take everything that you know and love about the all electric Ioniq 5, add a sprinkle of dirt, a dash of aesthetic armor, and a smattering of super functional changes, and you have an aggressive SUV that's ready for an adventure: The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT. 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 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 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 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. More must-reads: The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas Gives Us Spacious Spa Vibes The Chevrolet Silverado EV May Be the Most Incredible Pickup Truck Ever
