Hyundai's Ioniq 5 Gets The Off-Road Treatment At Last

It almost seems a crime to make a mildly-lifted hatchy-looking EV like the Ioniq 5 and not make it cooler than “electric toaster that’s very good at going from A-to-B,” thankfully, Hyundai has been working hard to rectify this. The Ioniq 5 N is widely held to be the best-driving performance EV on the market, and now there’s something for off-road enthusiasts with the Ioniq 5 XRT.

In short, Hyundai’s XRT trim is the off-road-lite treatment. Here, the XRT formula means a .9-inch lift for the 5, complete with its own special suspension tuning and 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. There are also aesthetic updates, including a new fascia featuring black plastic with a sort of digitized camo pattern. The trim will also be offered with a pair of recovery hooks alongside model-specific badges and black mirror caps. Inside, you’ll find all-weather floor mats and unique upholstery. Hyundai will fit all XRT models with dual-motor AWD and the 5’s larger battery pack.

This is all part of a broader 2025 model year update for the EV. There are new, larger batteries, up 63 kilowatt-hours from 58 kWh for standard models. The larger long-range battery rises to 84 kWh, up from 77.4. Range now varies from an estimated 240 to 310 miles depending on trim. Charging could potentially be a much smoother experience as well, now that the updated Ioniq 5 carries a NACS port, granting it access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Don’t worry, though, you’ll still get a CCS adapter included with the car.

These mechanical updates also see some accompanying changes, like new front and rear bumpers for all models, a new spoiler, new (and more aero-efficient) wheels, and new colors (Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl are exclusive to XRT models). The cabin also benefits from new USB-C ports and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, Hyundai has removed yet more physical controls from the climate panel. It’s a poor design choice, or perhaps just a cost-cutting measure, but pricing has yet to be announced. However, Hyundai does say it'll qualify for the $3,750 tax credit once it’s on sale.

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