Hyundai IONIQ 5 Named One of Autotrader’s 10 Best Electric Cars for 2025

Hyundai IONIQ 5 makes Autotrader’s 10 Best Electric Cars list for the fourth year, praised for design, range, fast charging, and diverse lineup including N and XRT.

As of September 15, 2025, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has again made Autotrader’s 10 Best Electric Cars—its fourth consecutive appearance. Editors praised its bold exterior, thoughtfully packaged and spacious interior, broad powertrain variety, and overall balance. The lineup spans the track-ready IONIQ 5 N (601 hp, up to 641 hp with a 10-second N Grin Boost) and the more adventure-oriented XRT. Autotrader’s editors also underscored day-to-day practicality—yes, a mountain bike fits in the back.

Autotrader’s selection criteria focus on pure EVs with wide U.S. availability and sub-$100,000 pricing, with the final list shaped by hands-on editorial testing and comparisons. The 2025 cohort alongside the IONIQ 5 includes the BMW i4, Cadillac Optiq, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Kia EV9, Nissan Ariya, and Volvo EX30—evidence of intense competition and the significance of IONIQ 5’s continued presence.

For the 2025 model year, Hyundai broadened the IONIQ 5’s technical base: battery capacities rose to 63 kWh (Standard Range) and 84 kWh (Long Range), with EPA estimates up to roughly 318 miles and U.S. pricing starting at $43,975. The car adopts NACS from the factory (with a CCS adapter) while retaining its 800-volt architecture and ultra-fast DC capability: in typical conditions, 10–80% takes about 20–24 minutes on a 350-kW charger.

The IONIQ 5 N remains the emotional flagship, with short-burst power up to 641 hp and chassis tuning for circuit work. The XRT provides a more outdoorsy take with added light-off-road practicality. That spread—from efficient long-range trims to a performance halo and an adventure variant—helps explain the model’s broad appeal.

Market context supports the trend: U.S. sales climbed three years running—23,331 units (2022), 33,918 (2023), and 44,400 (2024). On the supply side, localization matters: on March 26, 2025, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia held its official grand opening, with IONIQ 5 production for the U.S. market underway—an anchor for availability and shorter logistics.

Blend the design, charging speed, lineup breadth, and localized manufacturing, and it’s clear why the IONIQ 5 keeps securing a spot on Autotrader’s list. Amid accelerating competition, this is more than another accolade—it’s a signal of sustained form and a coherent Hyundai EV strategy.