2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Review: Real Off-Road SUV or Just a Lookalike?

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Is the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT a real SUV or just tough-looking? We took it off-road, hit the trails, and pushed it to the limit to find out! With raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and a powerful dual-motor AWD setup delivering 320 hp, the XRT is Hyundai’s boldest EV yet. In this first test, we break down everything—from off-road performance and handling to range, charging, and daily driving comfort.  Watch as we dive into what makes the XRT different from the standard Ioniq 5, including new features like the NACS charging port, rugged design upgrades, and improved battery capacity. Can it handle dirt, sand, and mud? Is it worth the price tag? Let’s find out!  👉 Subscribe for more real-world EV reviews, SUV tests, and 2025 model insights! 🔔 Don’t forget to turn on notifications!  #HyundaiIoniq5XRT #EVOffRoad #Ioniq5Review #SUVTest #ElectricSUV2025 #HyundaiXRT

Transcript

00:00Toggling through drive modes adjusts the dual-motor AWD system's torque split,

00:05such as a relatively balanced distribution in sand or a more rear-oriented profile in sport.

00:11Gravel roads are where this IONIQ 5 really comes alive.

00:15There, its tires provide tangibly better grip and control,

00:19especially while sliding, defeating the traction and stability systems so it can get loose as a blast.

00:25Lift off to use the strong regenerative braking to load weight on the nose,

00:30then prod the accelerator to get the tail out.

00:33It gradually transitions into oversteer, the long wheelbase aiding stability.

00:38Even if the suspension doesn't ride much higher, it's very well calibrated.

00:42That slight difference provides more leeway for the wheels and body to move,

00:48softening impacts and settling with beautifully smooth damping.

00:52Despite its added capability, like any off-road-themed model of this type,

00:56the IONIQ 5 XRT will almost assuredly spend most of its time on pavement.

01:03There, the raised suspension provides a more commanding view of the road, like an SUV should.

01:09But the open tread of the all-terrain tires can lead to increased interior noise,

01:13and their taller sidewalls tend to flex more under lateral loads,

01:17causing a less steady sensation when tracking through curves, particularly at higher speeds.

01:23This isn't to say that the XRT is excessively noisy or unsteady in a general sense,

01:29but only relative to the standard IONIQ 5.

01:32Overall, the experience is very similar between the two models in most daily driving situations.

01:38As such, the XRT is a similarly terrific everyday vehicle,

01:43providing good passenger and cargo space within its stylish.

01:47User-friendly cabin

01:48Plenty of real buttons balance the digital touch controls.

01:53Hyundai's updated infotainment is quicker to respond and better looking,

01:57and its navigation's en-route charge planning is much improved.

02:02Our instrumented testing regimen revealed how much differently the IONIQ 5 XRT behaves at its limits,

02:09as opposed to our previous long-term model.

02:12Given that its motor output is identical to that of our AWD long-termer,

02:17it's no surprise the XRT was essentially as quick in a straight line.

02:22It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, just 0.1 second off.

02:29Both versions posted a 13.2 second quarter mile time,

02:33with the XRT's 102.3 mph trap speed just 1 mph less.

02:39Also not surprisingly, the XRT's knobby tires led to some performance compromises.

02:45Its 60 to 0 mph braking distance is 137 feet,

02:51quite a bit longer than the Limited trim's 122-foot distance,

02:56which itself isn't a terrific result.

02:58Additionally, skip pad grip of 0.74 g average is far less than the Limited trim's 0.87 g average.

03:07In our figure 8 test, the XRT posted a 26.9 second, 0.68 g average lap,

03:15compared to 25.6 seconds and 0.72 g average for the IONIQ 5 Limited.

03:23In our road trip range test,

03:24the IONIQ 5 XRT showed the worth of its larger 84.0 kWh battery by covering 244 miles,

03:34the most of any IONIQ 5 we've tested to date.

03:37Although we're betting the standard, updated IONIQ 5 will go farther.

03:42With NCS built in, the 2025 IONIQ 5 gains access to more than 17,000 Tesla supercharger stations,

03:50massively increasing ease of charging on long-distance drives.

03:54If only it were that simple.

03:56Due to current hardware limitations of Tesla's fastest chargers,

04:00plugging into those is slower than using other 350 kW DC fast chargers and an adapter for CCS.

04:08The interface originally equipped on the IONIQ 5 and most non-Tesla EVs.

04:13At a supercharger, the XRT gained 90 miles of range in the first 15 minutes

04:19after plugging in at 5% state of charge.

04:22Repeating the test on a 350 kW Electrify America station, it gained 152 miles.

04:31A 5-80% session on a supercharger took 32 minutes,

04:35with an average charge rate of 125 kW.

04:39Meanwhile, on Electrify America, that charge took 22 minutes,

04:45with an average 186 kW rate.

04:49Gaining NCS is a big benefit for convenience,

04:51and it effectively future-proofs the IONIQ 5 for when and if Tesla improves its supercharger hardware.

04:58For now, though, going with yesterday's method provides faster charging.

05:03Read our 2025 IONIQ 5 charging analysis for more insight.

05:08Taken as a whole, the IONIQ 5 XRT strikes a successful balance.

05:14It gains a bullier feel and legitimate capability to explore off the beaten path,

05:19and it's good fun to chuck down a dirt road.

05:22But it doesn't sink so far into the figurative mud pit

05:25that it's not a nice everyday all-electric crossover as well, it totally is.

05:30Anyone attracted to the XRT's black bumper,

05:33that tired aesthetic won't pay much of an on-road penalty.

05:37They will, however, pay for the XRT trim.

05:41Our test version listed at $57,700 with extra-cost paint and rubber floor mats as the only options.

05:51An AWD-equipped IONIQ 5 Limited doesn't cost much more and comes with niceties

05:56including a glass roof, ventilated front seats, and premium audio.

06:01That's still the better version for drivers who have no intention of heading off-road.

06:05For those who do pony up for an XRT, though, they're in for an endearing, sweet all-electric SUV.

06:13Yes, an SUV.

06:15Is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 really an SUV?

06:18Despite winning our 2023 SUV of the Year award,

06:23the internet seemed stubbornly convinced that Hyundai's excellent EV just wasn't legit.

06:28In our, your author's, pursuit to prove its chops,

06:32we took our beloved IONIQ 5 long-term review vehicle off-roading,

06:36where it performed well despite the slick dirt under its all-season tires.

06:41Still, naysayers remained.

06:43Now, as part of the IONIQ 5's revamp for 2025,

06:48Hyundai has introduced an off-road-oriented XRT model.

06:51Equipped with rugged hardware and styling cues,

06:54the IONIQ 5 XRT seems more SUV-ish than its hatchback-adjacent basis normally suggests.

07:02Finding out if that really is the case meant taking the IONIQ 5 XRT out to the trail and track.

07:08Only a few years after its launch,

07:11production of the IONIQ 5 has shifted from Korea

07:13to Hyundai Motor Group's new Metaplant America facility near Savannah, Georgia,

07:18where the new 2025 models have been rolling out with several notable changes.

07:24Primary among them is an increased capacity for its two battery pack options,

07:29now at 63.0 kWh or 84.0 kWh,

07:35up from 58.0 kWh or 77.4 kWh.

07:41The batteries are now charged via a built-in North American Charging Standard, NCS,

07:46port, the interface designed by Tesla that allows for ready use of its supercharger stations,

07:53although caveats to that exist, which we'll get to.

07:56Among the subtle exterior changes,

07:59none are more useful than the addition of a rear windshield wiper,

08:03a glaring omission from the original iteration.

08:06Inside, the 2025 IONIQ 5 features a revised center console

08:11with a relocated wireless charging pad,

08:14plus an updated climate control touch panel,

08:17both welcome and effective improvements.

08:20The infotainment system gains Hyundai's latest user interface,

08:25with increased processing power and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android auto connectivity.

08:30The stupendously sporty IONIQ 5N remains as the lineup's performance standard bearer,

08:37and it's now joined by the new XRT,

08:40which adopts the name and requisite features

08:42emblematic of Hyundai's emerging off-road-inspired sub-brand.

08:47Beyond its stark black bumpers,

08:49the XRT rides on a raised suspension

08:51and 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires.

08:55The enhancements help increase ground clearance to 7.0 inches up from 6.1 inches.

09:02Approach angle grows to 19.8 degrees from 17.5,

09:07departure to 30.0 degrees from 25.4,

09:11and break over to 13.5 degrees from 11.8.

09:16Drive modes tune for snow, mud, and sand complete XRT-specific changes.

09:21The XRT might seem like a mere wheel and tire package,

09:25but Hyundai set it up with actual capability that spikes the fun factor.

09:30With 320 horsepower and 446 LBFT on tap,

09:36it slings dirt adeptly and makes dust clouds aplenty.

09:40This rig is down to get rowdy off-road.

09:43The XRT is more a rally ripper than rock crawler at its core.

09:46While its bumper angles limit it from conquering even moderate obstacles,

09:52it'll happily pound through dips and articulate over-offset surfaces.

09:56With your hands,

10:01the XRT is once ready for the XRT synopsis.

10:04With your hands,

10:06this rig went across two hours to take air.

10:07This rig is not rich and yogurt.

10:10It's a tiny one where we can� 현재 see the찮ümü button.

10:12The XRT has been by the XRT,

10:14it's a huge opportunity that will reach the FARC to dry.

10:17With your free powers,

10:17the XRT allows the XRT allows you to acquire a Laravel.

10:19emotive Miikin with its own heritage and�� structures.

10:21The XRT has been designed by as well with the XRT.

10:22This saves more circuits the XRT seems tocast direction.

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