Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT Named Best U.S.-Built Sports Vehicle of the Year by American Cars And Racing

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 XRT has been named the Best U.S.- Buit Sports Vehicle of the Year by American Cars And Racing (ACAR). The publication’s awards honor the best new or significantly updated 2025-model-year vehicles assembled in the U.S. The American Cars And Racing’s editorial team determined the winning vehicles by assessing their innovation, appeal, value, and overall excellence. The awards were given out in five categories: Car, Truck, SUV, Luxury Vehicle, and Sports Vehicle.

“The IONIQ 5 XRT is designed to appeal to customers who want to play in the dirt and have all-electric adventures,” said Ricky Lao, director of product planning at Hyundai Motor North America. “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.”

Hyundai is continuing to give customers more of what they want by expanding the IONIQ 5 electric vehicle lineup with a dedicated off-road-capable XRT model, NACS port, design upgrades and a long list of features developed with customers in mind. IONIQ 5 XRT boasts a more aggressive front and rear design with unique bumpers, stylish side skirts, and a set of dedicated 18-inch aluminum wheels. These features emphasize the model’s heightened capability in the rough stuff, advancements made possible by XRT’s higher ground clearance and suspension tuning. While the XRT’s interior cabin creates an immersive, dynamic driving environment thanks to features including H-Tex™ seating surfaces with XRT-unique patterning, XRT badging and logos, and a black headliner.

“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,” said Gary Gastelu, executive editor, American Cars And Racing. “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.”

American Cars And Racing
American Cars And Racing aims to bring its audience the latest on automobiles built by American brands, as well as vehicles made in the USA by foreign automakers, plus news and features from across the American racing, custom, collector and car culture scenes.