An EV that let’s you play in the dirt. But you can’t get too carried away. . .

By Gary S. Vasilash

The stylists who created the Hyundai IONIQ 5 pulled off a feat that is not at all easy to accomplish.

They devised a design that looks absolutely futuristic but—and here’s the tricky bit—doesn’t make one think that it is too advanced to be on the road with other vehicles that, well, don’t have appearances that would make them relevant in, say, 2030.

Realize that the IONIQ 5 was launched as a model year 2022 electric vehicle and is still striking.

So for MY 2025 they made a bit of a swerve with the IONIQ 5, a swerve that takes the vehicle off road.

Now we’re not talking Jeep Trail Rated terrain here.

But the XRT trim is more capable than the SE, SEL or Limited models.

For example, there is modified suspension tuning and the suspension is lifted by 0.9 inches—but lest one gets carried away, realize that this brings it to 7 inches. (The ground clearance for a Jeep Cherokee is 8 inches.)

There are off-the-beaten-path approach and departure angles: 19.8 degrees and 30 degrees, respectively.

There are red-painted recovery hooks on the front fascia that are said to be functional. (Those are something that you’re not likely to utilize in your daily commute unless your commute takes you through some tough territory.)

There is a composite cladding on the fascias, around the wheel arches and on the door panels that has a subtle pixelated camo pattern to provide a more-capable appearance. (The XRT wouldn’t look out of place driving on Mars thanks to this addition.) There are XRT black 18-inch wheels wrapped with 235 / 60 R 18 all-terrain tires.

As mentioned, the IONIQ 5 XRT is an electric vehicle. One of the aspects of this 2025 model (and the other trims) is that it comes equipped with the NACS port, standard, which means it can be used at the Tesla Supercharger network, adapter-free. (Which ought to annoy owners of the Tesla Model Y, given the aforementioned still-fresh design of the Hyundai and the aging Tesla exterior, Juniper update tweaks notwithstanding.)

It is worth noting that for those who aren’t using a Supercharger there is a CCS adapter that comes along for the ride.

And while this doesn’t matter as much as it did before the tax credits for EVs were pulled but is still non-trivial: the 2025 IONIQ 5 is built at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, Georgia.

The vehicle is, of course, all-wheel drive.

There is a 99-hp permanent magnet synchronous AC motor in the front. A 221-hp motor of the same type in the rear.

The system output is 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque.

It has a liquid-cooled 84-kWh battery pack. The peak DC fast charge rate is 250 kW, which means that the battery, on a DC fast charger, can be charged from 10 to 80% in 20 minutes. The EPA estimated range is 259 miles.

On the inside there are H-Tex seating surfaces (a synthetic leather that offers easy clean-up, because let’s face it: this trim wants to get dirty) featuring XRT-unique pattern and logo. And there are XRT badged all-weather floor mats (because you’re going to take this out in, well, all types of weather that you’re likely to bring into the vehicle with you when you go out in it).

Hyundai has some of the best screens in the business, with a 12.3-inch screen for the driver’s info and a 12.3-inch screen for infotainment. There are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging. There is BlueLink+, the connected vehicle service that provides capabilities from remote starting to receiving diagnostic alerts to performing automatic collision notification and more.

And the BlueLink+ services are free, not for a trial period, but for as long as you own the vehicle.

While on the subject of costs, the MSRP for the 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT is $55,400. The one I drove had an optional paint color (Atlas White Matte) that added $1,000; carpeted floor mats for $210; and $1,475 for inland freight and handling, to a total sticker of $58,085, which is in keeping with average transaction prices for EVs.