It is often fun to see an automaker do something weird simply because it could actually. That is exactly what is happening with Hyundai and the 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT. Leading the charge of the refresh of this popular compact electric crossover is an off-road-focused variant with a questionable face and an entire lot of hoonable character. I’m undecided who was really asking for an off-road version of the Ioniq 5, but I’m sure thankful for whoever did. This crossover is a lot fun on the dirt that you will forget it looks unfinished from the back and front.
Principally, what Hyundai did was take a standard all-wheel-drive Ioniq 5, jack up the suspension, give it more rugged front and rear bumpers, add some all-terrain tires and unique drive modes and call it a day. On the face of it, that may not sound like enough to make a compelling off-roader, but there’s just something about this automobile that’s undeniably fun when you’re off the pavement.
Full Disclosure: Hyundai flew me out to Palm Springs, California, put me up in a lovely hotel and fed me copious amounts of food all so I could drive the 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT on an off-road course.
It’ll grow on you
Sometimes you simply take a look at a brand new automobile and think to yourself “Who asked for this?” That was my exact response after I first saw the Ioniq 5 XRT unveiled back in September of 2024. I just didn’t get it. I assumed the front and rear fascias with their black pixilated camo pattern looked silly and just assumed the entire thing was a farse meant to get gullible people to pay extra to seem like they’re adventurous, as is the case with so many “off-road” trims on other cars. Well, I used to be mistaken.
Admittedly, I didn’t get a likelihood to drive the Ioniq 5 XRT on the road, but I did have ample opportunity to take this thing through some off-road trails within the desert outside Palm Springs. There, the XRT shined. It isn’t a rock crawler by any means, but it could actually tackle a dust or sand road like no one’s business. The best way the XRT delivers power with traction and stability control turned off is just a lot goddamn fun. The second you step on the accelerator within the Sand drive mode a boot stuffed with power is thrown to the rear wheels, and since it is so well balanced and the middle of gravity is so low, it rotates like a dream, kicking up dirt in the method.
Eminently huckable off the beaten path
Except for the modified looks, which include the aforementioned front and rear fascia updates, unique 18-inch wheels wrapped in Continental CrossContact all-terrain tires, functional tow hooks and a few black accenting, Hyundai made some real changes to the Ioniq 5’s suspension to get it ready for a world of soft-roading. It re-tuned the suspension setup and raised it by 0.91 inches to seven inches of total ground clearance. That, together with the reworked bumper shapes means its approach angle is now 19.8 degrees (versus 17.5 in the traditional Ioniq 5) and the departure angle is 30 degrees (versus 25.4). Those aren’t massive improvements, nevertheless it is sufficient to make the Ioniq 5 XRT higher equipped to go down a rutted dirty trail without worrying about ruining the unprotected underside of the automobile.
The XRT also gets a handful of latest Terrain drive modes — Snow, Mud and Sand — chosen with a brand new button on the underside spoke of the steering wheel. Each of them calibrates the automobile’s throttle response, wheel slip, traction control and other functions to be sure you may have as much fun as possible while not getting stuck in a ditch. I’ve got to say, in Sand mode it does a remarkable job of letting you kick the tail out again and again by pushing power rearward. The Ioniq 5 XRT’s relatively compact size means the automobile is eminently huckable into even the tightest corners. What more could you ask for?
The Ioniq 5’s inherent goodness stays
Mechanically, the XRT is not much different from a daily Ioniq 5 AWD. It has the identical 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque from a pair of electrical motors, one at each axle. The XRT’s range does take a little bit of successful though, which is to be expected due to design changes and fewer efficiency-minded tires. Hyundai says the XRT can travel as much as 259 miles on a full charge. That is a reasonably serious penalty from the 290 miles the SE and SEL AWDs get. It also gets a NACS charging port so you may plug in at Tesla Supercharger stations.
Inside, there aren’t too many differences from a standard Ioniq 5 SEL, the trim the XRT relies on. You get all the updates for the 2025 model yr, a Bose stereo and a full safety suite of features like surround-view cameras and a blind-spot monitor. Setting the inside aside from other Ioniq 5s are pixel camo touches on the doors and an XRT badge stitched into the front seats. Sadly, the one interior color option is black, and you can not get a sunroof. Too bad.
There are some more options on the surface, thankfully. The XRT will be had in eight different colours. There are your usual smatterings of blacks, grays, whites and silvers, nevertheless it has a handful of more interesting colours like Digital Teal, Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl. The latter two are exclusive to the XRT.
It’s a reasonably good value, too
Pricing is available in right between the AWD SEL and the AWD Limited. For the privilege of driving a automobile with a face only a plastic mother could love, Hyundai will charge you $56,875 including destination. That may sound like a whole lot of money, but while you take a look at the XRT’s closest competitor, the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, it isn’t too bad. That automobile starts at $57,880 including destination. It’s nearly a price, the XRT.
I do know the XRT is not for everybody. Its looks are divisive to say the least and its practical applications probably aren’t that abundant, but I do not care. It’s rarely that a automobile this charming comes along, and it’s even rarer that one exists because an automaker just desires to have some fun. That is something we ought to be celebrating. Sure, the styling leaves a bit bit to be desired, but you are not going to care what color the bumpers are while you’re kicking up dust in your all-electric rally automobile. I can promise you that much.
This Article First Appeared At www.jalopnik.com
