Review: The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Is An Electric Dirt Devil

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has moved to America, and just in the nick of time.

The electric compact SUV is now built at a new factory in Georgia, which exempts them from the new tariffs on imported vehicles. It also makes them eligible for the federal tax credit on electric vehicle purchases. It qualifies for $3,750 now, but Hyundai says it will soon get the full $7,500. In the meantime, it’s offering a discount to match that amount.

President Trump has also floated the idea of offering a tax deduction for interest payments on loans for US-built vehicles, so that could be an additional boon for the Ioniq 5.

One caveat, is that the outrageous high performance 641 hp Ioniq 5 N is still imported from South Korea, but now there’s a new model that might be even more fun to drive. Just in a very different way.

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The Ioniq 5 XRT is a rally-inspired off-road trim. The $56,975 XRT comes with 18-inch wheels wrapped in Continental CrossContact all-terrain tires. a suspension tuned for rough roads that increases its ground clearance about an inch to seven inches, redesigned bumper covers finished in unpainted protective cladding and recovery hooks up front.

The all-wheel-drive system is rated at 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque and the 84 kWh battery pack is good for an EPA-rated range of 259 miles per charge. Over a shorter distance on pavement, the XRT can sprint to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

The Ioniq 5 now comes from the factory with a Tesla-style NACS charge port and is compatible with the newest Tesla Supercharger stations through the Tesla app. An adapter for CCS-type fast charging stations is included. The XRT can fill its battery to 80% at the most powerful chargers in about 20 minutes,. It needs about 10 minutes more at a Supercharger, but updates may speed that up at some locations.

The XRT’s gets all-weather floor mats and easy-to-clean H-Tex synthetic upholstery, which are very appropriate for its mission. The entire US-built Ioniq 5 lineup has been updated for 2025 with a new seamless display that encompasses the instrument cluster and infotainment system, along with redesigned controls for the audio and climate systems. The cabin remains very roomy and comfortable in both rows, with a flat floor and a front center console that slides fore and aft. One XRT feature is a Terrain Mode button on the bottom spoke of the steering wheel, which has settings for snow, mud and sand. I spent a day with it on the last of those.

Even with the extra ground clearance, the XRT is definitely a dirt roader, rather than a rock crawler, but it can handle some sizable bumps. The dampers aren’t heavy duty off-road units, just the normal Ioniq 5 equipment, but they have been tuned for off-pavement use and do an outstanding job. Underbody protection is limited to the battery pack’s natural shielding.

The tires and traction management work perfectly in concert with each other and, with the regular drive mode in the most aggressive Sport setting, it’s easy to drive with the throttle on slippery surfaces and get the back to kick out into a drift.

The car is a riot like this and, while many bemoan the silence of electric sports cars, it’s something of an advantage out in the woods. Neither the wildlife nor locals will be annoyed by your nonsense.

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The XRT’s tire and suspension setup is also great for bad city streets and it laughs at most potholes, so it may pay advantages even if you never venture off-pavement. Despite being pricey, it is on par with other high end Ioniq 5 trims and comes loaded with premium features like a climate controlled massaging driver’s seat, a killer Bose audio system and Hyundai’s top-notch Highway Driving Assist 2 lane-centering adaptive cruise control.

As much fun as the Ioniq 5 N is, it costs $67,675, still has the old interior and really needs a race track with smooth asphalt to be ejoyed it to the fullest. It’s a lot easier to find the opposite and have a blast with the XRT without worry about busting your back, or a trim on the commute to work.