Lower than a yr after its preliminary reveal, Hyundai formally launched its off-road-friendly IONIQ 5 XRT variant within the US and invited us to Palm Springs to check it out. This can be a Hyundai IONIQ via and thru, but it surely options some distinctive design upgrades, together with a brand new drive mode to assist it sort out harder terrain than its siblings.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT is the newest variant to return out of HMG’s design lab. It was initially introduced in March of 2024, simply days after information of a refresh coming to the usual 2025 IONIQ 5, which we additionally examined out throughout this journey (take a look at that evaluation right here).
It wasn’t lengthy after Hyundai confirmed the IONIQ 5 XRT {that a} camouflaged model was noticed in Korea. It presumedly pushed the bounds of a brand new “Terrain Mode” the off-road variant debuts. We actually did the identical final week within the desert exterior of Palm Springs the place we bought a possibility to take the IONIQ 5 XRTs out of a pure terrain course and kick up some mud.
Whereas this will not be probably the most rugged BEV on the market, it’s most actually probably the most off-road-friendly possibility from Hyundai, and the automaker continues to wow us with distinctive design parts which are each purposeful and simply plain cool-looking. I’ve shared my full impressions under.
The 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT is tremendous cool… in the precise coloration
The XRT is the second highest trim degree on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 totem pole, under the Restricted however above the SEL. As such, a number of distinctive options have been added to this new spin on the ever-popular IONIQ 5.
Beginning with the outside, you’ll discover a extra rugged look. XRT does stand for “Excessive Rugged Terrain,” in spite of everything. The Hyundai staff described this design method as an “armor-like aesthetic.” The entrance and rear fascias have been geared up with distinctive protecting cladding that goes larger up than a typical BEV for added safety from rocks and different particles.
In fact, Hyundai needed to embrace its parametric pixels within the cladding! This delicate sample, Hyundai calls “digital camo,” appears totally different in each lighting situation (see close-up photos above). That cladding was additionally positioned above the wheels, that are distinctive to the IONIQ 5 XRT. This variant sits on easy but badass 18″ black wheels with all-terrain tires.
The entrance options two vibrant pink restoration hooks, whereas the rear presents larger safety on its corners and an embossed XRT badge. For added off-road capabilities, the IONIQ 5 XRT contains a 23mm suspension elevate alongside distinctive tuning, providing an additional inch of floor clearance (7″), a better method angle (19.8º), and a better departure angle (30º).
That being mentioned, this off-road BEV doesn’t have a skid plate or underbelly safety. As a substitute, the Hyundai staff mentioned the added safety comes from elevated floor clearance. Let’s transfer into the inside.
As you may see within the picture above, the inside of the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT is murdered out and seems a bit sportier than a few of its siblings. The doorways characteristic extra of the model’s new digital camo sample behind an XRT emblem, the identical of which you’ll discover embossed into the entrance head rests (see photos above).
The remainder of the inside is akin to the usual IONIQ 5s, other than some distinctive tech upgrades. As an example, the XRT is the primary mannequin to return geared up with a brand new Terrain Mode, which may be activated straight from the steering wheel.
From there, you may select between sand, snow, and dust. Whereas we noticed snow up at elevation within the non-XRT variations of the 2025 IONIQ 5, we had been solely lucky sufficient to trek via a desert course with loads of compact and free sand to see what Terrain Mode can actually do.
In all honesty, the XRT was a blast to drive. Terrain Mode and the BEV’s H-Trac AWD let me open it up, however I felt in full management the entire time. I particularly had a blast on the course curves with free sand, as I used to be in a position to swing that again finish round with out feeling like I used to be about to spin out.
The raised experience top and suspension tuning had been noticeable, particularly after having simply pushed the usual IONIQ 5 earlier that day, but it surely was nonetheless a little bit of a bumpy experience out on these rocks, particularly as a passenger. Right here’s some footage of the course:
I really feel the general method to the XRT is barely gimmicky as a result of that is undoubtedly an off-road succesful BEV, however not one thing you’d take to Moab. That being mentioned, Hyundai did a superb job designing it to look rugged and funky.
I used to be not a giant fan of the distinction between the XRT-exclusive cladding and lighter-colored exteriors like Atlas White and Cyber Gray. For my part, the darker exteriors complemented the cladding a lot better. Nonetheless, I want we might have seen the 2 new Hyundai colours unique to the IONIQ 5 XRT – Cosmic Blue Pearl and Final Pink Metallic. Sadly, these colours weren’t accessible for our drive since we bought a number of the first XRT fashions off the meeting line. Oh properly.
General, I loved my time behind the wheel of the 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT, however it is a area of interest variant for a distinct segment viewers, much like the IONIQ 5 N, which I’m additionally a large fan of. That being mentioned, I might fairly have an N or a Restricted trim of the 2025 IONIQ 5 since I’m not a lot of an off-roader (though if I had been, I’d in all probability go together with a Rivian as an alternative).
Should you like taking automobiles out within the mud and dust, the IONIQ 5 XRT may very well be the BEV you’ve been in search of. I like to recommend checking it out in particular person to see the cladding up shut and scroll via the terrain modes (when you can drive one out on a course, that might be even higher!)
The 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT is now on sale within the US, beginning at an MSRP of $55,400 earlier than taxes and charges. It additionally comes accessible in two new colours unique to the XRT solely –
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