The tide of automobile manufacturers racing towards full electrification has slowed due to consumer, political and infrastructure issues. “Drill baby drill (for oil),” is the mantra of the current presidential administration. And EV charging infrastructure is lagging in the U.S.
So why is Hyundai continuing to refine and release new EV models?
The reason is simple. Eventually, the big straw stuck in Mother Earth will one day not be able to suck out crude oil at the rates required to support internal combustion engine vehicles. Hyundai’s strategy moving forward is to offer Hydrogen Electric Vehicles (HEV), Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV), Fuel Cell powered Electric Vehicles (FCEV), and full Electric Vehicles (EV). With that lineup, Hyundai states “We’ve made it easier than every to go electrified. To date, Hyundai Motor America has invested over $12.6 billion dollars in their commitment to electrification.
“Our Company is no longer ‘one of the followers in the automotive industry’ and has to take a leap to become a ‘game changer,’ leading the market with innovative ideas.” Said Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair.
So with the new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5, one of the best EVs I’ve ever driven, Hyundai offers the future to consumers at great prices and with a great warranty. Sales stats back up my claim that the IONIQ 5 is legit, as sales have jumped 93% since 2022 (22,982 IONIQ 5 sales in 2020 – 44,400 in 2024).
For 2025, Hyundai has added an off-road-capable IONIQ 5 variant (the XRT) and small but significant changes, including more driving range and innovative features, resulting in improved convenience, performance, and safety. The IONIQ 5 will be the first model range manufactured at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America facility in Georgia.
Also significant is 2025 IONIQ 5 is the first Hyundai model to come equipped with the Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) port.
The addition of the NACS port allows IONIQ 5 owners access to over 17,000 chargers on Tesla’s Supercharger network without using an adapter, doubling the size of the DC fast-charging network available to new IONIQ 5 customers. Even more significant is Hyundai’s work with IONNA – eight major global automakers working together to expand high-powered charging in North America. IONNA’s goal is to build 30,000 high-powered charge points by 2030.
“IONIQ 5 has been a sales success for us since day one,” said José Muñoz, president and global COO of Hyundai Motor Company and president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. “We’re continuing to give customers more of what they want by expanding the IONIQ 5 lineup with a dedicated off-road-capable XRT model, NACS port, design upgrades, and a long list of features developed with customers in mind. The high-performance IONIQ 5 N shows how exciting EVs can be and has been a halo for our entire brand. We’re taking ‘America’s Most Awarded EV Lineup’ from strength to strength.”
IONIQ 5 Exterior
The 2025 IONIQ 5’s styling has always been futuristic and cutting edge. There are minor changes in the refreshed 2025 model, all of which continue the “5’s” impressive look.
The front LED light treatment with cutting-edge “Parametric Pixel” LED elements creates super illumination and visibility, and LED accent lights built into the front and rear bumper are a great styling item. A small, front trunk provides storage for the charging cable.
Along the sides, deeply sculpted door panels and a crisp upper character line create motion that continues to flow into the raised hatchback deck, and non-XRT models feature a new rear spoiler. The rear design treatment also features a full LED display for tail and brake lamps. All new IONIQ 5’s finally have a rear hatch wiper.
The new XRT trim exterior features are conducive to enhancing the XRT’s legitimate off-road chops. XRT-specific features include:
- Dual motor All-Wheel Drive with extended capacity 84 kWh battery
- Increased ground clearance over base IONIQ 5 (XRT-7 inches versus 6.1 inches)
- +23mm suspension lift with unique tuning.
- Unique model-specific black 18-inch wheels, with all-terrain tires
- XRT-exclusive unique front and rear fascias
- Etched digital camouflage cladding
- Black window surround trim, black mirror caps black side sills, and black Hyundai flying ‘H’ badges on the hood and liftgate
- Black mirror caps
- XRT badged all-weather floor mats
- “H-Tex” seating surfaces featuring XRT-unique pattern and logo
- Exclusive XRT exterior colors: Ultimate Red, Cosmic Blue Pearl
- Enhanced approach angle: 8 degrees (non-XRT 17.5 degrees)
- Enhanced departure angle: 0 degrees (non-XRT 25.4 degrees)
“We designed this IONIQ 5 XRT to offer more protection, connection, and functionality. These will be hallmarks of our XRT models going forward,” said Brad Arnold, senior design manager of exteriors, Hyundai Design North America. “The digital camo pattern was created using our IONIQ pixel as the building block. The matte-black 18-inch wheels also display the same IONIQ pixel theme while providing strength and cooling.”
IONIQ 5 Interior
IONIQ 5’s interior is dominated by a continuous raised housing that stretches from the driver’s side to the center dash. A pair of 12.3” screens are in the housing, providing the driver with pertinent road and vehicle info (speed, etc.) and the center screen provides HVAC, navigation, and audio information. Additional interior goodies include:
- Audio/video navigation (AVN) system
- Wireless Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto integration standard
- Hyundai Digital Key 2 Premium (SEL and above)
- Controller Over-The-Air (OTA) update support
- Smart Cruise Control 2
- Five USB Type-C ports (three front/two rear)
It’s a very clean, functional setup that punches at the luxury level, underscoring the tremendous value found in all IONIQ 5’s. With the tall greenhouse and wide body, five real-sized adults can travel in comfort. Second-row seats fold flat, giving IONIQ 5 plenty of cargo-carrying capacity.
IONIQ 5 Drive Experience
While our test vehicle featured optional All-Wheel Drive (AWD- $3,900), the IONIQ 5 is available with several drive motors. Choose battery packs paired with a two-electric motor layout, either with a rear motor only or with both front and rear motors. The top-of-the-line dual motor AWD setup delivers a combined power output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. Depending on setup, the IONIQ 5 can zoom from 0 to 60 MPH in less than five seconds. The single-motor layout with a rear wheel drive motor offers 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
XRT trims are AWD only and offer considerable off-road capability.
The all-wheel-drive-only XRT’s approach and departure angles have been improved compared to other IONIQ 5 models: 19.8 degrees for approach and 30.0 degrees for departure versus 17.5 and 25.4 degrees, respectively, for other models. Functional, red-painted recovery hooks add an extra element of ruggedness to the XRT’s front end, and three terrain-specific driving modes—Snow, Mud, and Sand—can be selected via a button on the steering wheel’s lower spoke.
At an off-road park in Palm Desert, California; sandy trails, rock-strewn hills, and gullies deep enough to go airborne were a piece of cake for the XRT trim. Hyundai encouraged us to experience all “Terrain Modes” on XRT – Snow/Ice, Mud, and Sand. Depending on the mode selected, Terrain Mode can adjust throttle calibration and wheel slip, and “Regen” mode (dubbed Smart Regen System 2) automatically adjusts brake regeneration in Terrain Mode and during normal road travels.
The off-road course was a blast, and kicking up buckets of sand was a ton of fun. XRT’s increased suspension travel, taller tire sidewalls, and increased entry/departure angles give it legitimate off-road chops. The new for 2025 rear wiper came in handy to clear sand and dirt from the rear glass.
All configurations have a top speed of 115 MPH and towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds.
IONIQ 5 Range
When equipped with a single motor, the maximum driving range is an EPA-estimated 318 miles for SE/SEL and Unlimited RWD trims. SE RWD standard range models deliver 245 miles of range. The maximum range of the dual motor all-wheel drive models is an EPA-estimated 269 miles for Limited trim, 290 miles for SE/SEL trims, and 259 miles for new XRT trim. An ultra-fast 350-kW, 800V DC ultra-fast charger using the CCS adapter included with the IONIQ 5 can juice up the EV from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. If the owner only has five minutes to spare, the IONIQ 5 can recoup about 68 miles of range using a 350-kW fast charger. All IONIQ 5’s offer a standard 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid/electric battery warranty.
Unlimited Charging for Two Years
Hyundai Motor America has collaborated with Electrify America to offer owners 250 kWh of included DC Fast charging via the Electrify America app.
IONIQ 5 Safety
With the battery weight built into the vehicle floor, IONIQ 5 has a low enter of gravity and a lower propensity to roll over during a loss of vehicle control.
In terms of safety, the body, front and rear doors, and B-pillar parts have been reinforced to improve side collision protection. The vehicle also features eight airbags, including second-row side airbags for enhanced safety.
All IONIQ 5 models feature a long list of safety gear that is standard or available, depending on trim level.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning for SE trim / Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (SEL trim and above)
- Forward Attention Warning (In-Cabin Camera/Direct Driver Monitoring System)
- Parking Distance Warning – Forward warning in addition to reverse warning
- Rear windshield wiper and washer
- Advanced Rear Occupant Alert – radar type (SEL trim and above)
- Parking Distance Warning – Side (XRT, Limited)
- Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Reverse/(New)Forward/(New)Side (XRT, Limited)
- Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (XRT, Limited)
As expected, the IONIQ 5 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick +, the highest possible IIHS safety designation.
2025 IONIQ 5 Trims/Pricing
- SE/SR – RWD only – $42,500
- SE RWD – $46,550/AWD – $50,050
- SEL RWD – $49,500/AWD $553,000
- XRT (AWD 0nly) – $55,400
- Limited RWD – $54,200/AWD $58,100
All prices are exclusive of a $1,475 delivery charge.
HMA Philanthropy
On a personal note, Pursuitist.com appreciates the vast philanthropic efforts Hyundai Motor America undertakes for the good of mankind.
It’s one thing to sell your vehicles in the United States, and another to build plants here and support U.S. citizens from all walks of life.
Consider Hyundai Hope on Wheels, which supports research towards a cure for pediatric cancer; summer programs that expose young school children in underserved communities to STEM programs, exposing them to potential career pathways; and most recently, Hyundai and luxury brand Genesis supporting Southern California relief efforts after devastating fires. Hyundai’s mantra during this effort is “Los Angeles is Our Community. We Will Rebuild.”
Hyundai Motor America’s headquarters are in the Los Angeles area. Hyundai Motor America has created over 190,000 American jobs through its eight research, development, regulatory, and manufacturing plants and the Hyundai/Genesis dealer retail network.
