Hyundai provided flights from Washington, DC, to Palm Springs and accommodation so Ars could drive the new Ioniq 5. Ars does not accept paid editorial content.

Inside, the XRT enjoys all the updates for the 2025 model year and features seats with H-Tex synthetic leather and an embossed XRT logo on the front seat backs. The XRT logo also appears on the doors and the all-weather floor mats.

Fun is rarely associated with most EVs. However, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is more punk rock than just about any EV out there. That's a good thing.

Electrification has been the key to Hyundai’s 33% retail growth over the past five years, according to Ricky Lao, director of product planning Hyundai Motor America. In fact, sales were up 31% in 2024 compared to the year before.

This version of the Ioniq 5 gets just about everything right, from built-in access to Tesla DC fast chargers to simpler controls customers asked for.

Through sunny skies, slushy snow, and stormy rain, we put the refreshed-for-2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 through its paces in Palm Springs and the San Jacinto Mountains to see how it copes when life throws weather and winding roads in its way.

So the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has also received several upgrades for 2025, including new, bigger batteries that can provide up to 354 miles of range, more standard equipment – including a heat pump on every model – extra sound insulation around the rear-mounted e-motor to improve refinement and some very subtle styling tweaks.

While just a mid-cycle refresh, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 gets some great upgrades and, most impressively, an XRT model, which we take off-road.

The last few years have been progressive steps forward for Hyundai in the electric vehicle (EV) department. This positive trend stems from the Korean automaker’s popular, efficient, and unique IONIQ

Power and Weight: 641 hp • 4858 lb • 7.6 lb/hp Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4 Elect; 275/35ZR-21 103Y PNCS HN We ran the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 's platform-mate, the 576-hp Kia EV6 GT, at Lightning Lap last year,