2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 – A Texas-Sized Week with Hyundai’s Best EV

When I first slipped behind the wheel of a Hyundai Ioniq 5 back in 2022, it wasn’t under the bright lights of a launch event or even during a proper review loan. I was in Georgia for a Hyundai N brand event, there to sample performance cars, but I couldn’t resist carving a few rural roads in an Ioniq 5 that was on hand. It was my first real taste of Hyundai’s EV crossover, and I came away impressed.

Fast forward to 2025, and Hyundai has given the Ioniq 5 its first major refresh. Bigger batteries, longer range, a few subtle styling tweaks, and most importantly, access to the Tesla Supercharger network thanks to a new NACS charging port. Earlier this year I had a chance to try this updated Ioniq 5 at the Texas Auto Writers Association Auto Roundup, but now I’ve had a full week to live with it day-to-day. And that makes all the difference.

For visual context, be sure to check out the full video review on our TXGarage YouTube channel. But for now, let’s dive into the details of what makes this refreshed Ioniq 5 such a standout.

Trim Talk

Hyundai keeps things simple with the 2025 Ioniq 5 lineup. You’ve got the base SE, the value-packed SEL, the fully-loaded Limited, and a brand-new rugged XRT trim designed for those who want an adventurous edge.

My tester this week is the Limited AWD with 20-inch wheels, finished in Atlas White with a dark green interior. It’s the first Ioniq 5 to roll off Hyundai’s brand-new Metaplant in Georgia, and with a sticker price of $59,785 including destination and mats, it represents the top of the range.

Futuristic Style, Refined

Styling has always been one of the Ioniq 5’s biggest selling points. It manages to look futuristic without crossing into strange, blending cyberpunk hatchback vibes with SUV proportions. For 2025, Hyundai wisely chose to enhance rather than overhaul the design.

There are new front and rear bumpers, a slightly reworked rear spoiler, more aerodynamic wheel choices, and new matte paint options. My Limited trim rides on 20-inch alloys that fill the wheel arches nicely and give the car a confident stance.

Even in traffic-heavy North Texas, where Teslas and Tahoes dominate, the Ioniq 5 still turns heads. It’s stylish in a way that feels unique but not out of place.

Space Where You Need It

Pop the rear hatch and you’ll find 26.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and nearly 59 cubic feet with them folded flat. There’s also a small frunk up front, though it’s really only good for charging cables.

For a compact EV crossover, the space is generous. It can easily handle a week’s worth of groceries, sports gear, or luggage for a road trip. While it doesn’t have the cavernous capacity of the Ioniq 9 three-row I drove earlier this year, it’s plenty for everyday family use.

Power and Range

The 2025 Ioniq 5 Limited AWD gets Hyundai’s larger 84 kWh battery paired with dual motors. Output is 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. Range is rated at 269 miles when equipped with the 20-inch wheels, and in my time with the car I never felt limited. I made multiple 30-plus-mile trips one way without worrying about range or charging.

Speaking of charging — this is where the Ioniq 5 makes its biggest leap. For 2025, Hyundai adds the Tesla NACS port. That means you can pull up to any of the 17,000+ Superchargers and plug in directly, no adapter required. And thanks to the car’s 800V architecture, you can go from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes at a 350 kW charger.

I’ve said this in nearly every EV review I’ve done lately: Tesla network access is the single most important feature an EV can have. Whether it’s through an adapter like the Chevy Equinox EV I drove earlier this year, or built-in like this Hyundai, it’s the difference between “maybe I could live with this” and “yes, I could own this.”

Inside the Future

Step inside the Limited trim and the Ioniq 5 feels futuristic but also practical. The dark green interior on my tester is a bold choice, but I think it works — giving off a premium, almost concept-car vibe.

Hyundai made some smart updates for 2025. The HVAC controls are redesigned with physical buttons for heated seats. The wireless charging pad has been relocated to a more convenient spot. The center console is reworked for better ergonomics. And the steering wheel gets a fresh design.

The twin 12.3-inch screens dominate the dash, with one handling the instrument cluster and the other managing infotainment and navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay worked flawlessly for me, and the Bose premium audio system delivered excellent sound.

The cabin itself is impressively spacious. Both rows get plenty of headroom and legroom, and the flat floor makes the rear especially comfortable. Rear passengers in the Limited also benefit from heated seats and sunshades. Add in the panoramic glass roof and ambient lighting, and the whole space feels premium, comfortable, and undeniably modern.

Behind the Wheel

The Ioniq 5’s driving character is what first caught my attention back in 2022, and it’s still what impresses me most. Handling is sharp, braking feels natural thanks to regenerative paddles, and acceleration is brisk. It’s a fun EV crossover to drive, plain and simple.

Ride comfort is excellent. Sure, you notice more road and wind noise without an engine to cover it up, but it’s not intrusive. For everyday Texas commuting and highway cruising, the Ioniq 5 strikes a great balance between comfort and engagement.

Driver assistance tech is solid. Highway Driving Assist 2 and Smart Cruise Control work just fine, but I’ll be honest — Hyundai hasn’t advanced these systems much in recent years. With GM’s Super Cruise pushing the envelope, Hyundai risks losing its edge in this area.

A Rugged New Option

While my tester is the Limited, it’s worth mentioning Hyundai’s new XRT trim for 2025. This one adds a suspension lift, all-terrain tires, and rugged cladding with digital camo accents. It’s not a hardcore off-roader, but it does give the Ioniq 5 a tougher, more adventurous vibe for those who want to stand out.

Price Point

All this tech and style comes at a price. My Limited AWD tester rings in at just under $60,000. That’s a lot for a compact crossover, even an EV.

The good news is that being built in Georgia means it qualifies for at least part of the federal tax credit, and leases still benefit from the full $7,500. But even with incentives, this is not a budget buy.

How It Stacks Up

Against rivals, the Ioniq 5 holds its ground. Tesla’s Model Y is a strong competitor, and the updated version is compelling. But if you want something with more style and personality, the Hyundai makes a great case for itself.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, VW’s ID.4, and the Kia EV6 are all worth cross-shopping. But the Ioniq 5 strikes a better balance of design, usability, and driving fun than most.

Within Hyundai’s lineup, the Ioniq 6 sedan impressed me more than expected when I drove it last year, while the Ioniq 9 three-row SUV proved itself as a spacious family hauler this summer. The Ioniq 5 sits right in the middle — a Goldilocks option that blends practicality with personality.

Final Thoughts

So after a full Texas-sized week with the refreshed 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5, do I still think it’s the coolest EV crossover you can buy? Absolutely.

Hyundai didn’t reinvent the wheel here. Instead, they made smart improvements — bigger batteries, faster charging with Tesla network access, a more user-friendly interior, and a rugged new XRT trim. It’s still stylish, still fun to drive, and now even easier to live with.

At nearly $60,000, it’s not cheap, and Hyundai needs to keep pushing its driver-assist systems forward. But as a total package, the Ioniq 5 remains a standout — not just in Hyundai’s lineup, but in the entire EV crossover segment.

If you want to see more of the Ioniq 5 in action, including walkarounds and driving footage, be sure to check out our full video review on the TXGarage YouTube channel.