2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD XRT - A very nice EV, but still an EV

If you read my stuff, and I hope you do, you know that I have mixed feelings about EVs. Some days I like them (never love), some days I don't. I do not hate the concept of EVs, it is more the current (pun intended) charging situation.

I do not like the focus on acceleration, the lack of charging stations, or the time it takes to recharge. I also think the ride quality of many EVs is unacceptable. And far too many EVs just look weird. 

The Ioniq 5 is not weird-looking. It could be any small(ish) SUV. I think the style will age gracefully.

There is one design item I question, and it is because I lived in areas with snow and ice. I can't help but wonder how well the pop-out door handles work with frozen rain or snow.

When you walk up to the Ioniq the flush door handles pop out to greet you. I have to believe that Hyundai, like just about every auto maker, has done cold weather testing so maybe my worries are misplaced, but I've seen more than my share of ice encrusted cars. I've had to chip away at ice covered door handles and windshields. Hyundai is not alone in using pop out door handles.

A styling add-on for the XRT version is the front tow hooks. Although the XRT has more ground clearance than other Ioniq 5 models (7.0" versus 6.1"), I wouldn't call it an off-road version. 

So the question is, does the Ioniq 5 need tow hooks or are they just an affectation? There is no "Off-Road" terrain setting so I'm going with an affectation.

So many cars today have settings for performance, normal, economical, etc. In an EV I think the only setting should be GET THE MOST RANGE! (Eco). I did 95% of my driving in Eco and you know what? It drove just fine, and accelerated darn fast. If you want to buy an EV race car try the Ioniq 5 N with the little "N Grin Boost" button.

This Ioniq 5 AWD XRT has 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. The version tested has a range of 259 miles. 2WD Ioniq 5 versions have up to 318 miles of range. If you use the CCS adaptor at a fast charging station, you can charge from 10% to 80% in twenty minutes. Still not as fast as filling your tank with gasoline, and there is always the problem of finding a charging station, but far better than the 7 hours and 20 minutes needed with a Level II charger.

I drove the Ioniq 5 AWD XRT like I would drive any car. No pussy-footing, no racing. And you know what? It was fine, it's a car, and it drives like a car (almost). The only real difference, and this is something common to almost every EV, is the ride.

Most EVs including the Ioniq 5 AWD XRT ride like an over-loaded vehicle that's sitting on the bump stops. (The main purpose of a bump stop is to serve as a cushion when the suspension finally bottoms out.) In other words it doesn't feel like there is much suspension travel.

The Ioniq 5 AWD XRT comes standard with all-terrain tires. When I see all-terrain, or all-season attached to a tire I think "not optimum for any season." I have been involved in winter tire testing and while all-season tires do an adequate job in mild winter conditions, when it really snows and the roads ice up, real winter tires are needed. Out here in California where is it mostly sunny (we've had a little rain recently) the 235/60R18 all-terrain tires were fine, maybe better than fine because they were not noisy. 

Speaking of noise, why have car companies decided to offer make believe car sounds for EVs? What are you, ten years old? My very first car was a non-running, 1949 Chevrolet. My friends and I would sit in it, making car sounds while pretending to run it through the gears. I really appreciate the silence of an EV; there is simply too much noise in the world today. I listen to music and when there is a lot of background noise,  I have to turn up the sound system, which only adds to the noise. As The Tremeloes sang "Silence Is Golden." 

I can't think of a car I've driven in the past few years that had uncomfortable seats. Long gone are the days where if you didn't wear a seatbelt you'd side across a bench seat (been there, done that). Sometimes I might take my wallet out of my back pocket on a long trip but otherwise seats are comfortable and supportive.

There was more than enough leg room in the rear seat to stretch your legs. The front seats were excellent. 

Out back in the cargo area there is 26.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and 58.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. Up front where a gas engine might fit is a "frunk" (front trunk) with 0.85 cubic feet of space (a bit more than one plastic grocery bag).

I generally liked the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD XRT. If I didn't go on long trips, and if I had a home charger (I rent) I would be tempted to buy an EV. I like the Ioniq 5 because it isn't overly weird. I don't like weird. The Ioniq 5 is a good-looking, comfortable, 4-person (Hyundai says 5 will fit) SUV. It isn't too big (thankfully), it handles well, it is easy to maneuver and park. Top it off with the fact that it is easy on Mother Earth.

Now the hard part, at least for me. The price. A 2025 Ioniq 5 starts at $42,600, the XRT at $55,500. 2026 versions start at $35,000 (yes, less than a 2025), and the 2026 XRT is $46,275. Prices are according to hyundaiusa.com as of 11/7/2025.