2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Wants to Go Off-Road, and Why Not?

• Hyundai has updated the Ioniq 5 lineup inside and out for 2025, adding an XRT trim with off-road items and a dual-motor, long-range battery.

• The Standard Range battery goes from 58.0 kWh to 63.0 kWh, while the Long Range pack gets an increase from 77.4 kWh to 84.0 kWh, with both slated to see modest range bumps.

• The Ioniq 5 hatches will gain Tesla's NACS ports starting later this year ahead of a wider switchover, though the first 2025 model-year cars will still ship with CCS ports this fall.

Electric hatchbacks have generally tried to minimize their ground clearance for better aerodynamics, but a new version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will take a page out of Subaru's book.

Dubbed the Ioniq 5 XRT, this version of Hyundai's dual-motor hatch features a suspension raised by 23 mm, or 0.9 inches, in addition to unique 18-inch wheels wearing 235/60R-18 all-terrain tires.

Hyundai has also given the XRT model unique front and rear fascias, adding black side sills in addition to some smaller items including tow hooks, black mirror caps and window surround trim, as well as etched digital camouflage cladding and XRT badging.

On the inside, the off-road trim will feature leatherette seating surfaces with a unique pattern, a black headliner, and XRT badging on the all-weather floor mats.

"The digital camo pattern was created using our Ioniq pixel as the building block," said Brad Arnold, senior design manager of exteriors, Hyundai Design North America. "The matte-black 18-inch wheels also display the same Ioniq pixel theme while providing strength and cooling."

This recipe gives the XRT model a 19.8-degree approach and a 30.0-degree departure angle, buying the EV hatch some extra off-road ability right out of the box.

A choice of two exclusive exterior colors will be on the XRT menu: Cosmic Blue Pearl and Ultimate Red.

Now, at this point you may be wondering just where the idea for this version came from.

We already like the standard Hyundai Ioniq 5 quite a bit, but at no point did we say, "You know what this really needs? A raised suspension and some off-road tires."

"We designed this Ioniq 5 XRT to offer more protection, connection, and functionality. These will be hallmarks of our XRT models going forward," Arnold said.

The Ioniq 5 XRT might also end up doing some pro bono market research for the Rivian R3X when it comes to testing out buyers' appetites for a rambunctious little EV with some off-road skills.

But the addition of the XRT trim isn't the entirety of the changes to the Ioniq 5 for 2025.

Hyundai has dialed up the capacity of both battery packs, taking the Standard Range one from 58.0 kWh to 63.0 kWh, and increasing the Long Range pack from 77.4 kWh to 84.0 kWh. This will certainly buy all versions of the hatch a bit more range, but the official EPA numbers aren't in yet.

However, Hyundai had hinted that at least a couple of versions should see a bump of 20 miles or more.

The standard EV hatch will also feature redesigned front and rear fascias in addition to a new aerodynamic wheels, a rear wiper (previously unavailable), and a redesigned rear spoiler. Three new exterior color have been added to the menu as well: Atlas White Matte, Ecotronic Gray Matte, and Celadon Gray Matte.

On the inside, Hyundai has swapped out the twin 12.0-inch screen for 12.3-inch units, while also redesigning the HVAC controls. A new steering wheel design debuts the 2025 model along with a new center console, with the automaker also adding some physical buttons for heated front seats.

Finally, it's the start of the NACS era for Hyundai, so the new ports will make their way into the refreshed EV in the fourth quarter of this year even though some of the early 2025 models will still feature the CCS ports.

The main event, of course, is access to over 17,000 Tesla Superchargers for Hyundai EV owners, whether with an adapter or with their new native NACS ports.

Coupled with the arrival of the performance-flavored Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai's electric hatch is proving to be more versatile with each passing year.

The 2025 models go on sale this fall.

Will there be much demand for off-road versions of compact electric hatchbacks in the coming years, or are they viewed as mostly decorative absent more serious upgrades? Let us know what you think in the comments below.