2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2025 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive retro-inspired design, reminiscent of the 1986-1991 Lancia Delta, particularly in the high-performance Ioniq 5 N variant. Hyundai kept the styling largely unchanged in this mid-cycle refresh, with only mild revisions to the lower front fascia. The vehicle retained its signature "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and a high rear spoiler. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl were introduced for the XRT, while the overall color palette expanded with Atlas White Matte and Ecotronic Gray Matte. The Ioniq 5's interior saw minimal changes, maintaining its open and uncluttered space with a modern feel. The new XRT trim added a rugged touch with a dark interior, all-weather floor mats, and the XRT logo debossed in the seats.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder, tested in snowy conditions near Mount Rainier National Park, showcased its capability with the Rock Creek trim. Equipped with 3-Peak Mud-and-Snow-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 tires and standard all-wheel drive, the Pathfinder handled the challenging terrain with ease. The Rock Creek trim featured a rugged appearance with beadlock-style wheels, a V-Motion grille with mesh pattern, and stacked LED lighting elements. A metal roof rack and exposed trailer hitch emphasized its adventurous nature. Despite its tough look, the Pathfinder remained a unibody crossover, lacking additional ground clearance and protective skid plates. Inside, the Rock Creek trim offered leatherette-and-cloth upholstery with bright orange "Rock Creek" logos, while higher trims featured more luxurious materials. The Pathfinder's interior was comfortable, with three-zone climate control and adjustable seating options, although some features like a heated steering wheel were limited to higher trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT offered a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to cycle through Snow, Mud, and Sand modes. These modes adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with its all-wheel drive configuration providing 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, offering a range of up to 318 miles in single-motor, rear-wheel drive configuration. The XRT, with its all-terrain tires, had a range of 259 miles. Power output varied with the powertrain choice, with rear-wheel drive models producing 168 to 225 horsepower, depending on the battery.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque in most trims, while the Rock Creek trim offered 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft with premium fuel. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, providing smooth shifts. The Pathfinder's towing capacity reached 6,000 pounds with the Platinum and Rock Creek trims, thanks to a transmission oil cooler. The Pathfinder's ride was soft, suitable for light off-roading but less composed on twisty roads. Fuel economy for the Rock Creek trim was 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined. The Pathfinder offered seven drive modes, including Snow, Sand, and Mud/Rut, with hill-descent control standard across all models.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper. The interior featured a movable center console with fore-and-aft cupholders and a wireless charging pad. Heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel available from the SEL trim. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with generous legroom and cargo space. The Ioniq 5 transitioned to the North American Charging System, allowing access to Tesla's Supercharger network, and included a Combined Charging System adapter for public and fast charging.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder offered ample interior space despite being smaller than some competitors. During a ski trip, it comfortably accommodated four adults and their gear. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 80.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Pathfinder featured three-zone climate control and comfortable seating, with the Rock Creek trim offering captain's chairs and a removable center console. The EZ Flex Seating System allowed easy access to the third row without removing car seats.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its dual 12.3-inch screens for infotainment and digital instruments, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard. The Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT and Limited trims, while SE and SEL trims had a six-speaker system. The Ioniq 5 included standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and multiple USB-C ports. A head-up display was exclusive to the Limited trim.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder's infotainment system lagged behind competitors, with an older interface and smaller screens. The Pathfinder offered a 6-speaker stereo, with a 13-speaker Bose system available on higher trims. NissanConnect supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but wireless projection was limited to Apple devices on the 9-inch screen. The Pathfinder included standard voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Navigation was available only on the SL and Platinum trims, with a head-up display exclusive to the Platinum.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. New standard safety features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with the latter offering lane-changing capability and machine learning.

The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder also earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control and ProPilot Assist were standard on all but the base trim, with traffic sign recognition available on higher trims.