2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT

• American Cars And Racing (ACAR) named the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT its Best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle of the Year, based on innovation, appeal, value, and overall excellence.
  

• The XRT adds a more aggressive front and rear design, unique bumpers, side skirts, and dedicated 18-inch aluminum wheels, along with higher ground clearance and revised suspension tuning for off-road use.
  

• The IONIQ 5 XRT is built at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia and now includes a NACS port, expanding charging compatibility for the off-road-focused EV.

Exterior Design

The IONIQ 5 XRT differentiates itself from other IONIQ 5 trims with a more aggressive front and rear design, featuring unique bumpers and side skirts that give it a visually rougher edge. The trim rides on a dedicated set of 18-inch aluminum wheels, chosen specifically for its off-road-oriented positioning.

Interior Space and Technology

Inside, the XRT gets H-Tex seating surfaces with trim-specific patterning, along with dedicated XRT badging and logos throughout the cabin, plus a black headliner that rounds out the more purposeful interior look.

Practical Usability

Higher ground clearance and revised suspension tuning give the XRT more capability away from pavement than the standard IONIQ 5, positioned by Hyundai as a way to bring off-road driving into the brand's EV lineup. The addition of a NACS port also means XRT owners gain access to a wider charging network for daily use, on top of the trim's off-road-focused hardware.

Market Positioning

The recognition comes from American Cars And Racing (ACAR), which named the 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT its Best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle of the Year as part of awards spanning five categories: Car, Truck, SUV, Luxury Vehicle, and Sports Vehicle. ACAR's editorial team based its picks on innovation, appeal, value, and overall excellence among new or significantly updated 2025-model-year vehicles assembled in the U.S. The IONIQ 5 XRT is built at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, one piece of a broader U.S. manufacturing footprint that also includes the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant, a North American headquarters in California, and several R&D facilities — operations Hyundai says contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy alongside its network of 850 independent dealers. ACAR executive editor Gary Gastelu praised the XRT for expanding what one of the segment's stronger electric SUVs can do without giving up everyday comfort, while Hyundai's Ricky Lao positioned the model as built for customers who want off-road capability alongside daily electric-vehicle ownership.

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