The Hyundai Ioniq 5 won our EV of the Year award not once but twice, so its continued inclusion on our 10Best Trucks and SUVs list may seem like a foregone conclusion. But Hyundai isn't resting on its laurels. Even though the Ioniq 5 has been our most decorated electric SUV since its debut, in the spirit of continuous improvement, Hyundai treated the 2025 model to numerous updates.
Hyundai fixed flaws big and small. The 2025 model now has a rear wiper, a feature missing on our 2023 long-term car. It seems like a minor change, but without it, the rear glass became grimy enough to block the rear view in winter. Inside, several interior controls are now easier to use. Range is up too, with the longest-range version now hitting an EPA-estimated 318 miles.
In addition to those various improvements, Hyundai has also broadened the Ioniq 5's lineup. There's a new rugged-looking XRT trim, although it doesn't suddenly turn the 5 into any sort of rock crawler. You've surely heard of the other addition to the Ioniq family, the Ioniq 5 N performance model. It is a transformative effort from Hyundai's N division. The 641-hp dual-motor powertrain is just one element of the character swap. The N's performance is hugely entertaining. It gets to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds, making it the quickest Korean car we've ever tested.
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But lots of electric cars are quick. What sets the Ioniq 5 N apart is its commitment to driver engagement. The various drive-mode configurations can seem overwhelming at first—and they are, with settings for everything from engine noise to gearshifts. Some staffers decried the N as a faker, given that it has neither an exhaust nor gears. But ultimately, the whimsy and fun factor of an EV that drives like a powerful gas car won us over. The Ioniq 5 N succeeds because it layers these fun elements on top of an already stellar package with solid chassis tuning and a stout powertrain.
The same idea applies to the entire lineup. The Ioniq 5 is a practical, usable, well-built EV with an extra measure of appeal thanks to its smart, distinctive design inside and out. It's that winning combination that helped the Ioniq 5 secure its third 10Best trophy.
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Specifications
Specifications
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Base: $43,975–$67,495
Power: 168–641 hp
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 3.0–7.8 sec
EPA Combined: 78–114 MPGe
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
