2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD review: Big time range

Mitchell Weitzman
14 hours ago
5 min read

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD review | The Road Beat

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

As if there weren’t already enough reasons to call the Hyundai Ioniq 5 one of the best EVs on sale, Hyundai has gone ahead and given us another. Tested here is the entry rear-wheel-drive variant (I’d only sampled the AWD versions before), now featuring a larger battery pack and a remarkable real-world range of 300 miles. No caveats, no asterisks — this car genuinely goes 300 miles between charges in summer driving, even with the A/C running. Now that it matches Tesla’s range, this stands as the best EV at that coveted and fiercely competitive $50,000 price point.

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Lovely as ever, this compact hatchback channels design cues from 1980s icons like the Renault 5 and Lancia Delta, resulting in a neo-modern design triumph. Even years after launch, the shape remains fresh and intriguing. Matte paint isn’t the most practical finish for long-term ownership, but this pewter-gray coat of velvety paint work looks fantastic for now and complements the proportions well.

Cabin space impresses for a vehicle measuring 183 inches long thanks to the stretched 118-inch wheelbase, with clever packaging that creates an airy greenhouse and excellent visibility. Headroom is generous thanks to the low floor, and the wide, uncluttered view forward enhances the sense of openness. A large, sliding center console between the front seats offers abundant storage and further flexibility. Material quality and tactile feedback throughout are a notable step up from competitors like Volkswagen’s ID.4, which can often feel comparatively toy-like. Rear legroom isn’t exceptional but is adequate enough for adults, though I wouldn't enjoy being back there for hours on end.

Charging performance is another highlight. The Ioniq 5 can take advantage of high-power 350 kW chargers to impressive effect (not fully, but still faster than most rivals), and now natively adopts the Tesla NACS charge port. That means easy access to the vast and reliable Tesla Supercharger network without an adapter. For home charging and other stations with SAE plugs, Hyundai includes an adapter so you truly get the best of both worlds. Expect roughly 24–30 minutes for a 10–80% top-up on a Tesla Supercharger, and as little as 20 minutes on a 350 kW DC charger.

Ride and handling continue to impress, maintaining composure and comfort across a wide range of surfaces. Even on rough local roads — the kind that can trip up underdamped crossovers — the Ioniq 5 remains cool, composed, and supple.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD Limited exterior rear three quarter

Power here isn't amazing with 225 horsepower in single motor RWD format, but it's quick and instant to make all real world situations easy. And I like Hyundai's use of paddles mounted behind the steering wheel to easily adjust and tailor the amount of regenerative braking to your liking.

Steering lacks true feedback but remains quick and reassuringly responsive, lending viable confidence through corners. Grip levels are high thanks to modern rubber and a strong enough natural balance to the chassis, resisting understeer admirably in sane driving. While this RWD model lacks the torque-vectoring ability of its AWD sibling, it feels more natural and old-school — even a bit BMW-like in how it powers through bends with power coming from the back. Occasional traction slip aside, the RWD setup is more than sufficient for most drivers. It’s not quite “tossable” like a proper and aggressive hot hatch, but agility is still impressive for a vehicle of this approachable purpose.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 RWD review by the Road Beat

Efficiency is where this version truly shines. The upgraded battery 84 kWh pairs with stellar real-world efficiency, averaging 3.3 miles per kWh — up from about 2.7 miles per kWh in prior AWD models. That’s a near 25% improvement, translating directly into that headlining 300-mile range. Paper numbers aside, this efficiency makes the Ioniq 5 one of the most usable EVs in real-world conditions, especially when combined with ultra-fast charging and seamless Tesla Supercharger access. This feels like the complete EV package many have been waiting for.

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Few meaningful drawbacks exist. For some, even 300 miles of range and widespread charging may still not feel sufficient, though that’s more a reflection of EV hesitancy and the charging lifestyle than a flaw of the Ioniq 5 itself. In practical terms, this Hyundai is about as convenient and accessible as an electric car has ever been at this price.

Living with the car, the only recurring frustration was visibility of the digital HVAC controls during bright daylight. Whether due to my seating position or the harsh summer sun, they were often difficult to read — a surprising oversight considering Hyundai’s usual attention to detail. Surely someone in development noticed the same thing during daytime testing. Also, the infotainment display can have an overwhelming number of menu app selections.

A full monty

After four separate stints behind the wheel of different Ioniq 5s, I only seem to like it more each time. While updates have been subtle rather than sweeping, they’ve added up nicely, reinforcing that the core formula remains a triumph. It still looks fantastic, drives with sophistication, and now finally delivers the range it always deserved. In this segment, Hyundai has produced a decisive winner — one that rightfully stands as the benchmark for mainstream EVs today. Tesla may still hold an edge in overall technological integration with its refreshed Model 3 and Y, but neither comes close to matching the Ioniq 5’s sheer design brilliance.