What We Found Testing the Hyundai Ioniq 5's Upgraded Battery

Wouter Smit · 2026-09-18

Hyundai's Ioniq 5 was already turning heads. It wasn't just another electric SUV; it had that cool, retro-futuristic vibe and a driving experience that felt genuinely fun. Then, for the 2025 model year, Hyundai decided to give it a significant boost where it counts most: under the floor. That's right, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 received bigger batteries. On paper, that sounds like a straightforward win—more range, right? But as anyone who's lived with an EV knows, the real-world story is often more nuanced. We had to get behind the wheel and see if this upgrade truly makes an already-impressive vehicle even more appealing, or if it's just a numbers game. ### The Heart of the Upgrade: Bigger Battery Packs Let's talk specifics. The 2025 Ioniq 5 now offers two larger battery options compared to its predecessors. The standard-range pack gets a meaningful bump, while the long-range version sees an even more substantial increase in capacity. We're not talking about tiny, incremental changes here. Hyundai pushed for a notable upgrade that directly targets the number one concern for many potential EV buyers: how far can I go? The promise is simple. More kilowatt-hours stored in the battery pack should translate directly to more miles on the odometer between charges. But it's not just about adding more cells. The engineering team had to integrate these larger packs without compromising the Ioniq 5's celebrated interior space or its sharp handling. That's a tricky balance to strike. ### Putting the Extra Miles to the Test So, does it deliver? We took the updated Ioniq 5 on our standard mixed-drive evaluation loop—a combination of highway cruising, suburban errand-running, and a bit of spirited backroad driving. The goal was to mimic how you'd actually use it. The first thing you notice is that the driving character hasn't changed. It's still that quick, quiet, and surprisingly agile EV we liked before. The magic happens when you glance at the range estimator. Starting a day with a full charge shows a number that inspires more confidence. On a typical day of mixed driving, we consistently saw range figures that exceeded the old model's performance by a clear margin. Here are a few key observations from our testing: - **Highway Efficiency:** The Ioniq 5 handles highway speeds well. The larger battery means you can cover longer stretches between charging stops, which is a game-changer for road trips. - **Around-Town Dominance:** In city and suburban driving, where regenerative braking shines, the added capacity feels like a massive buffer. Range anxiety just fades away. - **Charging Speed:** A crucial point—the fantastic 800-volt charging architecture remains. So, while you have more battery to fill, the incredibly fast charging speeds mean you're not spending proportionally more time at the plug. ### Is It Worth the Upgrade? This is the big question. If you're comparing the 2025 Ioniq 5 to the previous model, the answer leans heavily toward yes. The increased range is tangible and addresses a primary concern without any downsides we could find. The vehicle doesn't feel heavier or less nimble. The interior is just as spacious and well-designed. For someone considering an EV and looking at various options, the 2025 Ioniq 5 with the bigger battery now competes even more fiercely in its segment. It bridges the gap between daily practicality and longer-distance capability more effectively. As one engineer told us, "We didn't just add more battery; we added more usable freedom." That sentiment rings true after a week behind the wheel. The upgrade isn't about a spec sheet war. It's about reducing the mental math of EV ownership. You think less about where the next charger is and more about where you want to go. For many drivers, that shift in mindset is the most valuable feature of all. Hyundai took something that was already excellent and made it decisively better where it mattered most. The 2025 Ioniq 5 with its bigger batteries isn't just a minor refresh; it's a meaningful evolution that solidifies its place as a top contender in the electric SUV arena.