Lower than a 12 months 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 try it out. This can be a Hyundai IONIQ by and thru, but it surely options some distinctive design upgrades, together with a brand new drive mode to assist it deal with harder terrain than its siblings.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT is the most recent 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 assessment 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 definitely did the identical final week within the desert outdoors 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 essentially the most rugged BEV on the market, it’s most definitely essentially the most off-road-friendly choice from Hyundai, and the automaker continues to wow us with distinctive design parts which might be each purposeful and simply plain cool-looking. I’ve shared my full impressions beneath.
The 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT is tremendous cool… in the correct colour
The XRT is the second highest trim stage on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 totem pole, beneath 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 any case. The Hyundai staff described this design strategy as an “armor-like aesthetic.” The entrance and rear fascias have been outfitted with distinctive protecting cladding that goes greater up than a typical BEV for added safety from rocks and different particles.
After all, Hyundai needed to embody its parametric pixels within the cladding! This delicate sample, Hyundai calls “digital camo,” seems to be completely 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 brilliant purple restoration hooks, whereas the rear affords greater safety on its corners and an embossed XRT badge. For added off-road capabilities, the IONIQ 5 XRT incorporates a 23mm suspension raise alongside distinctive tuning, providing an additional inch of floor clearance (7″), the next strategy angle (19.8º), and the next 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 possibly can 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 illustration, the XRT is the primary mannequin to return outfitted with a brand new Terrain Mode, which may be activated immediately from the steering wheel.
From there, you possibly can 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 by a desert course with loads of compact and unfastened 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 unfastened sand, as I used to be capable of 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 strategy 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 wonderful 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 significantly better. Nonetheless, I want we may 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 an enormous fan of. That being mentioned, I’d moderately 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 most likely go together with a Rivian as an alternative).
For those who like taking autos out within the mud and filth, the IONIQ 5 XRT might 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 by the terrain modes (if you happen to can drive one out on a course, that will 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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