2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2025 Hyundai Palisade

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which was a refreshing departure from the typical rugged off-roader styling cues. Its angular and technical look, introduced in the 2023 refresh, replaced the previous chubby-cheeked face, sparking mixed reactions but generally appreciated for its upscale appearance. Inside, even the base SE trim offered a modern and upscale feel, with premium materials like leather and artificial suede in higher trims. However, some metallic-surface control markings were difficult to read in daylight. The Palisade was packed with thoughtful details, such as USB charging ports in the front seatbacks and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert feature. It was available in seven trim levels, with prices ranging from $37,200 to $54,500, excluding destination charges.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its distinctive appearance, drawing retro comparisons to the Lancia Delta, especially in the high-performance Ioniq 5 N variant. The mid-cycle refresh brought minor revisions to the lower front fascia while retaining the iconic “Parametric Pixel” headlights and taillights. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a digital camouflage pattern. The Ioniq 5's interior remained open and uncluttered, with a minimalistic and modern feel typical of Hyundai EVs. The XRT trim leaned towards a rugged aesthetic with its dark interior and all-weather floor mats. The Ioniq 5 was available in various trims, with new wheel designs and an expanded color palette for 2025.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and averaged 22 mpg in combined driving, or 21 mpg with AWD. Despite its age, the Palisade's driving dynamics held up well, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer feel on highways. The powertrain was smooth and refined, with the automatic transmission delivering silky shifts. However, it was not very fuel-efficient, recording 16.9 mpg in city driving and 19.8 mpg overall during testing. The steering and suspension provided a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, offering Snow, Mud, and Sand options that adjusted throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with AWD as standard. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, offering a range of up to 318 miles in RWD configuration, while AWD reduced the range to 259 miles for the XRT. Power output varied with the powertrain choice, with RWD models producing up to 225 horsepower and AWD models delivering 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 5 offered plenty of fun with its instant torque.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with a seven-passenger arrangement featuring second-row captain’s chairs in the Calligraphy trim. The front seats were power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, with a massaging driver’s seat. The second-row seats were also heated and ventilated, with good thigh support and legroom. The third-row seat was heated, a rarity in this segment, and offered USB-C charging ports and air vents. The Palisade provided generous storage space, with adjustable cupholders and a hands-free Smart Liftgate. Cargo space measured 18 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.4 cubic feet with all seats folded.

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 ventilation available only on the Limited trim. Interior dimensions remained unchanged, with generous legroom and cargo space measuring 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up. The Ioniq 5 transitioned to the North American Charging System, allowing access to the Tesla Supercharger network, and included a CCS adapter for public and fast charging.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the tech appeared dated compared to newer Hyundai models, it was fully functional with features like two-device Bluetooth support, wireless smartphone charging, and Bluelink+ connected services. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system delivered commendable sound. The Palisade also offered a head-up display and a surround-view camera system.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its pair of 12.3-inch screens, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose Premium Audio system was available on the XRT trim. The Ioniq 5 featured standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and five USB-C ports. A head-up display was available on the Limited trim, and the wireless charging pad started at the SEL trim level.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, offering standard driver-assistance features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The HDA system combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024 but missed the accolade in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA awarded it five stars for frontal impact and four stars for rollover resistance.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and secured five stars from the NHTSA. New safety features included an enhanced driver attention system and parking-distance warnings. The Ioniq 5 offered Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2, with the latter adding lane-changing capability and machine learning.