The rugged avatar of the most successful EV from the Korean auto giant is gaining applause everywhere it goes
American Cars and Racing (ACAR) has awarded the best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle of the Year award to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT. The Korean car marque offers various iterations of the Ioniq 5 electric crossover. It has done extremely well on the sales charts, not just in the U.S., but across many international markets in the last couple of years. To have added another feather in its cap is quite impressive.
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Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT Named Best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle Of The Year
The ACAR took into account the best new or significantly updated 2025-model-year vehicles assembled in the U.S. The editorial team determined the winning vehicles by assessing their innovation, appeal, value, and overall excellence. In total, there were 5 categories – Car, Truck, SUV, Luxury Vehicle and Sports Vehicle. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT, assembled at Hyundai Motor Group Manufacturing America (HMGMA) in Georgia, won in the last segment.
Hyundai is adding a new version to its IONIQ 5 electric vehicle lineup – the XRT. This model is built for off-road driving, with higher ground clearance and special suspension tuning. It features a bold new look, including unique bumpers, side skirts, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The XRT also includes a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port and updated design elements. Inside, it offers H-Tex seats with XRT-specific patterns, custom badging, and a black headliner. These updates are based on customer feedback and aim to improve both performance and comfort in tougher driving conditions.
Ricky Lao, Director of Product Planning at Hyundai Motor North America, commented, “The IONIQ 5 XRT is designed to appeal to customers who want to play in the dirt and have all-electric adventures. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) factory-built 2025 IONIQ 5 XRT offers enhanced off-road capability and a more rugged appearance for this Hyundai EV. We are pleased to receive the Best U.S. Built Sports Vehicle recognition.“
Similarly, Gary Gastelu, Executive Editor, American Cars And Racing, remarked, “Hyundai took one of the best compact electric SUVs and broadened its horizons with the IONIQ 5 XRT, which is simply one of the most fun vehicles on sale today at any price. It opens up new roads without giving up any of the everyday comfort the IONIQ 5 is known for and now loves to play in the dirt.“
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Learn Electric Cars Says
In recent times, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, in various avatars, has bagged some prestigious awards and participated in many iconic races. In essence, all this demonstrates the potential and flexibility of this model. It can be moulded into all sorts of iterations. These include performance monsters, off-roading vehicles, racing cars, etc. In fact, we have seen examples of that on many occasions. I must admit I am excited to see what the next iteration of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is going to be.