Hyundai’s 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: A Bold Steal of Subaru’s Genius

Equipped with enhanced ground clearance due to a new trim and featuring all-terrain tires, the refreshed Ioniq 5 demonstrates its adaptability.

In many parts of these United States, you could lift a stone, toss it in almost any direction, and there’s a good probability it would land on a Subaru Crosstrek.

The reason for its overwhelming popularity doesn’t lie in being a remarkable and captivating car. Instead, it stems from the effectiveness of the strategy employed: Choose an average hatchback—a Subaru Impreza, in this instance—and enhance it with increased ground clearance along with tougher aesthetics.
perhaps add some off-road tires
Next, you sell it to people residing in snowy regions, often traveling on untreated streets or simply enthusiasts of outdoor escapades. The final step involves merely tallying up your earnings.

I’m convinced this is the playbook Hyundai is trying to bring to the electric vehicle world with the all-new
Ioniq 5 XRT
After driving one through some dusty backroads near Palm Desert, CA, I’m equally persuaded that the concept holds merit.

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Full Disclosure:

Hyundai took care of my travel and accommodation expenses to California for this test.

What Is It?

Hyundai has been adding
more rugged XRT trims
It has had crossovers and the Santa Cruz truck for some time, but this is the first fully electric model. The XRT on the Ioniq 5 is a U.S.-specific trim level positioned just beneath the top-tier Limited version.

This upgrade provides an additional 0.9 inches (23 millimeters) of ground clearance, bringing the total to seven inches. It also features distinctive suspension adjustments. This increased clearance enhances steeper maximum approach (19.8° compared to 17.5°) and departure (30° versus 25.4°) angles, allowing better handling of larger ditches and barriers. Visually, the most noticeable change is the redesigned front and rear panels adorned with a “Digital Camo” black pattern and highlighted by two crimson tow hooks at the front end.

Undoubtedly, the most crucial aspect is the tire selection: The vehicle comes equipped with 235/60R-18 Continental CrossContact ATR all-terrain tires. Additionally, the XRT provides extra driving modes accessible via a “TERRAIN MODE” button located on the steering wheel—namely Snow, Mud, and Sand. In comparison, a regular Ioniq 5 includes only the Snow mode and lacks these camouflage-pattern accents inside the cabin.

Certainly, it may come across as somewhat foolish, and it won’t appeal to everybody. “Is it any less cringe-worthy when seen in real life compared to how it appears in pictures?” asked the Deputy Editor,
Resident IEV off-road driver Mack Hogan
Sure, Mack, it certainly is; I would say that it offers an intriguing appearance while managing to be much more understated.
Your typical Jeep Wrangler Cry for Help Edition
that’s about to hit the same trail.

The idea presented isn’t completely original. Even Hyundai acknowledges this.
Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally
Operates within the same market, and let’s include the Rivian R3 in that mix as well (even though it’s not imminent). Despite American enthusiasm for venturing off-road, this remains an underexplored area in the electric vehicle sector. It surprises me that nobody has tackled this before. A Hyundai product strategist mentioned their anticipation that it will have moderate appeal but remain niche; approximately 10% to 15% of newly sold Ioniq 5s are expected to feature the XRT package.

From what I’ve gathered from off-roading experiences, the key takeaway is understanding your limits. Keep in mind; these upgrades prepare the Ioniq 5 for mild off-road adventures rather than intense rock crawling. While those front hooks work well enough, the back end relies solely on a conventional tow hook for rescue purposes. The vehicle lacks adjustable suspension or differential locks—features typically found on specialized off-road vehicles.
There isn’t even a backup tire.
.

Let’s assume the Rivian R1S doesn’t lose any sleep over this vehicle either. To put it differently, consider the Crosstrek rather than the 4Runner.

Nevertheless, Hyundai made certain compromises to enhance its off-roading capabilities. These changes include new tires and increased ground clearance but result in reduced driving range. The XRT version comes solely equipped with a twin motor system paired with an enlarged 84 kWh battery pack. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this setup provides only up to 259 miles of travel distance—a decrease of over 30 miles compared to the Ioniq 5 SEL and about 10 miles less than the fully-loaded AWD Limited variant. (Should you require four-wheel drive powered by two electric motors along with extended cruising range, consider opting for either the SE or SEL trim levels of the Ioniq 5).

When testing most Hyundai electric vehicles, they tend to exceed their advertised ranges during everyday use, although this figure remains relatively modest compared to competitors nowadays. It might be worthwhile considering whether the additional capabilities justify the cost for you. On a mild day with temperatures around 80°F (or about 27°C), my vehicle indicated an estimated range of approximately 190 miles when charged up to 85%. This was similar to what I experienced with my Kia EV6 under chilly conditions.

On the positive side, similar to all non-Ioniq 5 models, this vehicle is manufactured in the U.S. and comes equipped with a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector, offering built-in Supercharger compatibility right out of the factory.

How Does It Drive?

To be honest, I initially had my doubts about the Ioniq 5 XRT. I considered it a pseudo-SUV, merely an opportunistic marketing move designed to make it appear more American. It seemed similar to how European station wagons often receive additional ground clearance and exterior trim when marketed in the U.S.

What an oversight on my part! Driving the Ioniq 5 XRT turns out to be incredibly enjoyable. Despite having just experienced it briefly on a somewhat informal off-road track with moderately steep inclines and no actual road driving, I must say this particular model was rather pleasing.

I recently penned a tale exploring how electric vehicles (EVs) perform remarkably well in snowy conditions.
It includes several features such as a lower center of gravity, better weight distribution, and quicker traction control compared to gasoline vehicles.

In off-road conditions, the same rules still hold true. When we left the paved surfaces behind, the XRT demonstrated remarkable stability and consistency, not to mention being quite enjoyable. After switching to Sand Mode, I navigated through the track with ease, impressed by the instant torque from the twin electric motors combined with flawless traction management. This allowed me to achieve higher velocities than anticipated, all while maintaining better command over the vehicle. Despite pushing the XRT aggressively, it remained steadfast without ever losing grip or composure.

You receive the same 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque found in any all-wheel-drive Ioniq 5, which provides ample power for enjoyable driving once you leave the paved roads behind.

Certainly, you can achieve a controlled drift at the back when driving on loose surfaces, though this requires significant skill or recklessness. The process is fast; the steering offers good feedback, and the suspension seems comfortable even with those particular tires. However, further evaluation should be done on paved roads for a conclusive assessment.

I appreciate the Ioniq 5 XRT’s overall design, yet I find myself wishing it offered better capabilities with rough terrain through its camera system. While these vehicles excel in providing helpful views during parking maneuvers, they fall short when tackling steep inclines. It would be beneficial to maintain full functionality of the cameras so drivers can clearly observe their immediate environment and judge distances from foliage or obstacles nearby. However, once a specific threshold speed is reached, this feature switches off—just as it does on standard models of the Ioniq 5. To allay concerns and enhance user experience further, Hyundai might consider implementing an update via over-the-air software which could enable continuous camera operation regardless of vehicle speed. This enhancement has potential to garner widespread approval among consumers.

I’ll add that there’s an undeniable charm in watching numerous Ioniq 5s racing over a dusty track, reminiscent of a retro-futuristic rally. Given the Ioniq 5’s inspiration from designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, this scene brought to mind classic cars such as the old Audi Quattros or Lancia Deltas—only larger and fully electrified.

Ultimately, I felt a bit down about returning it and switching to the standard Ioniq 5. I wished for more time with the XRT.

Pricing And Verdict

The Ioniq 5 XRT version starts at $55,400 excluding destination charges, which adds an additional $6,000 compared to the SEL AWD model I tested during the same event. This particular configuration likely appeals to many buyers. Although the XRT may seem expensive, it remains approximately $3,500 less costly than the mentioned Mach-E Rally. However, these models might not be perfectly aligned because the Ford offers 160 extra horses under the hood and positions itself strongly as a performance vehicle—think of comparing a WRX STI with a Crosstrek. Still, this comparison was initiated by Hyundai rather than myself.

If rock climbing is your weekend activity of choice, the Rivian R1S remains the top pick among electric vehicles—but you might find a bare-bones used Jeep or Toyota 4Runner even more suitable. However, this isn’t the optimal scenario for the Ioniq 5 XRT.

If your home is situated on a long dirt road, or you often encounter severe weather conditions and challenging landscapes, or you regularly get stuck under heavy snowfall, then this electric vehicle stands out as an excellent choice. In my case, living in Upstate New York, I fall into the last group. This past winter was particularly snowy for us, and having additional ground clearance coupled with specialized all-terrain tires would definitely provide me with significant advantages.

For example: One week after returning from Palm Springs, I drove my Kia EV6 on a twisting road close to my house that was paved with a mix of asphalt and gravel and had accumulated quite a bit of snow. Thanks to the vehicle’s capabilities in snowy conditions and my own driving skills, the EV6 handled the situation well.

The Ioniq 5 XRT could have performed much better. Even if it doesn’t match Crosstrek sales figures, that achievement would still be attractive to many buyers.

Contact the author:
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