2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5

The Ioniq 5 has won our Best Buy Award in the electric vehicle (EV) class two years in a row. From its design to its practicality, from its effective powertrains to how easy it is to live with on a day-to-day basis, this is exactly how an EV should be. Two of the most crucial areas with an EV are how much distance it can cover and how quickly it can charge. Hyundai has endowed the Ioniq 5 with the ability to impress in both respects. Overall, we’ve enjoyed ourselves so much whenever we’ve been in an Ioniq 5 that time has indeed flown. This is now the third year of its existence, during a period in automotive history where change is happening almost daily. Yet the Ioniq 5 has the goods to keep its lofty position, an assertion backed by the vast majority of our owner reviews.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and researching this generation of electric SUVs, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Ioniq 5 offers two battery capacities, both expand for 2025. This will have a positive effect on range by as much as 20 miles on rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) models.  This is the first year for the XRT grade, which adds a bit of off-road credibility with 18-inch wheels, increased ride height, a surround view camera, a few exterior upgrades, and more. The high-performance Ioniq 5 N also arrives this year, blending electric propulsion with enthusiast appeal.

The SE price we list is for rear-wheel drive with standard range. To bump up the SE range by enlarging the battery will set you back about $4,000. SEL versions tend to be the better sellers, with pretty much an even split between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. No matter the trim level, except the standard all-wheel-drive XRT, factor in about $3,500 for all-wheel drive, which also brings the bigger battery and a second electric motor.

The Ioniq 5 is in the same financial ballpark as rivals such as the Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, Tesla Model Y, Toyota bZ4X, and Nissan Ariya.

Before buying a new Ioniq 5 electric vehicle, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values are about typical for the class. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The popular Ioniq 5 SEL with all-wheel drive features a muscular 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai might even boost output this year. In which case, it could sprint from standstill to 60 mph quicker than 2024’s extremely rapid 4.5 seconds. An equivalent Ford Mustang Mach-E has similar power and speed.

We really like driving the Ioniq 5. One aspect is that it’s easy to just get in, select Drive and go. The learning curve is far from steep. Another aspect is that the Ioniq 5 can be many things to many drivers. Around town and on the freeway, it’s comfortable and quiet, maneuverable and responsive. Ask it to corner faster and brake harder, though, and it still delivers.

With brake energy regeneration set to its highest level, the Ioniq 5 can come to a complete stop just by keeping the right foot off the accelerator. This is one-pedal driving, a neat trick exclusive to electric vehicles, and not so tiring in city traffic compared with the usual frantic dance between the accelerator and brakes.

The new-for-2025 Ioniq 5 N comes with a phenomenal 601 horsepower, or 641 horses in boost mode. That will send it flashing to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. It also has a bespoke chassis made for enthusiastic driving, plus sport fronts seats, upgraded brakes, and extra body stiffening.

Something as contemporary as an Ioniq 5 electric vehicle should surely come with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. But up until now, it’s been cable connection all the way. Let’s see if Hyundai takes it to the next level this year. However, if the main gripe about this car can be remedied by a $5 cord with a USB-A plug at one end, then the company has still done an amazing job.

The tech is impressive, as demonstrated by the 12.3-inch driver information display and 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen combined into one sleek unit. The SEL adds wireless device charging and ambient cabin lighting, while the Limited trim comes with a head-up display enhanced by augmented reality (AR).

The top Limited version also has a huge single-pane glass roof, bringing extra airiness to a cabin that’s already spacious for what is essentially a compact SUV. The rear seats split, fold, slide and recline. Maximum rear legroom is 39.4 inches, more than a Toyota RAV4. And it’s a flat floor throughout.

Cargo space goes from 27.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats to 59.3 cubic feet when they’re folded, making the Ioniq 5 one of the most practical in its class. There’s also a storage area of just under one cubic foot up front, beneath the hood. It’s somewhere to throw smelly gym clothes and/or a charge cable — but not much else.

At this point, we’ve probably all seen an Ioniq 5 in the wild and formed our own opinions. We appreciate how the clean, sharp lines of the body are contrasted with ornately mathematical alloy wheel designs. Aerodynamic considerations also contributed to the clamshell hood and flush-fitting door handles. The raised ride height nudges this vehicle into the SUV category — its ground clearance will help a bit when driving through snow.

Ultra-fast charging
The Ioniq 5’s batteries can cope with an 800-volt DC fast charger. On a 350-kilowatt unit, all it takes is 18 minutes to go from 10% to 80% capacity, making the Ioniq 5 one the fastest-charging EVs out there. It’s still a relatively quick 25 minutes on a 400-volt, 150-kilowatt charger.

Digital Key
Standard in the SEL, this allows users with an Android-based phone to access the Ioniq 5. It’s easy to set up and authorize other people. Apple iPhone owners have been able to use a key card in the past, but Hyundai may update that technology this year.

Hands-free tailgate operation with auto-open
Detecting the key’s proximity, the powered tailgate opens automatically, so there’s no need to wave a foot under the bumper. This comes in at the SEL trim level.

Driver’s seat leg support
In the short-ish time it takes to recharge an Ioniq 5 EV, drivers can relax by reclining their power-adjustable seat and extending the leg support — like an airplane seat in business class. This is exclusive to the Limited trim, though.

Reverse charging
The correct jargon is vehicle-to-load, or V2L. It means that electricity can also be taken out of the battery (as long as it has more than 20% juice) to power an air fryer while camping or keep the fridge running during a power outage, for instance. It’s another standard feature in the Limited model.

Remote Smart Parking Assist
The Limited trim gets all the really cool stuff. Like this feature allowing drivers to inch their Ioniq 5 into or out of a parking space using remote control, while standing outside the vehicle.

The standard-range SE version of the 2025 Ioniq 5 with rear-wheel drive sees a modest boost in battery size and an increase in estimated range from 220 miles to 240 miles. SEL and Limited models receive a bigger battery, too, which will push their 2024 estimated range of 303 miles (rear-wheel drive) to at least 310 miles: the same as the long-range Tesla Model Y. All-wheel-drive versions of the Ioniq 5 enjoy an increase from the 2024 estimated 260 miles to somewhere between 250 miles to 280 miles, depending on wheel size. These improvements make the Ioniq 5 quite competitive within its class.

It’s also competitive in terms of charging, taking as few as 18 minutes to go from 10% to 80% capacity using a 350-kilowatt DC fast charger. That’s comparable to a Tesla, and puts the Ioniq 5 comfortably above many other rivals. Speaking of Tesla, the Ioniq 5 now has access to the more than 17,000 Tesla Superchargers across the country.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Hyundai has some of the longest warranties in the business. The company’s new-vehicle coverage lasts five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains and the Ioniq 5’s battery have warranties of 10 years or 100,000 miles. Hyundai also includes three years of free scheduled servicing.

Safety Ratings

The Ioniq 5 has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety equipment includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and Safe Exit Assist.