Hyundai isn’t content to rest on its electric vehicle laurels. For 2025, it gives the Ioniq 5 a meaningful refresh that keeps it competitive in the ever-growing EV crossover segment. This isn’t an all-new vehicle,

Barrelling through the fine sands of Coachella Valley, we discover just how well Hyundai's new XRT variant of the Ioniq 5 handles the "extreme rough terrain". Is it just another "soft-roader" for Patagonia-clad schoolteachers,

However, the high-performance EV4 GT, which Kia has yet to confirm at this point, will have another Ioniq 5 N feature that the other variants won't have. The supposed top-spec GT will reportedly get a fake rev limiter, which mimics the way combustion engines hit the rpm red line, prompting the driver to change gears.

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.

The Ioniq 5 XRT EV is a lot of fun off-pavement, if not ready for all that a rally stage or off-road trail might throw at it.

All of the tweaks Hyundai made for the XRT make the Ioniq 5 a smidge more capable off-road, and they even bring a dash of added on-road playfulness. Just don't take the Extreme Ru