If you’re new to Hyundai, you might have not noticed their “N” division. It’s pretty simple like BMW’s M division (and the watered-down M Sport models), The N is the Korean maker’s high-performance arm. (And like BMW, Hyundai also has an “N-Line” trim that’s sporty, but many levels below a true N).
We recently tested a Hyundai Elantra N model and found it exhilarating fun in a small sedan package. So, when they told us they were going to create an N model for the popular Ioniq 5 EV, we were doubly intrigued. So, does it thrill? Let’s take a look.
High-performance Looks
One look at the N, and you know it’s mission in life.
While the regular Ioniq 5 is a handsome, modern hatch, the N takes things to an aggressive new level. Up front, there’s an exclusive gloss black front bumper with functional mesh and side intakes. Like other Ioniqs, the “cube” theme is strong here, especially with the squared off LED headlights. Those in the know will also notice an exclusive radiator grille and three active front air flaps to enhance cooling performance.
The profile builds on the look. The front and rear bumpers are slightly longer, while a contrasting lower panel with a bright red sash really sells the sporty vibe. The most eye-caching features are the unique in-house designed 21-inch alloy wheels that look stunning, perfectly frame the red brake calipers, and really fill out the wheel wells.
At the rear, the cube motif carries the width of the rear and incorporates the square taillight ats that echoed the front headlights. N-exclusive rear spoiler, rear differs and air out lest create leave a sporting impression as you drive away. Finishing things off was our tester’s Atlas White paint job which really sells the modern look – but there are four other colors if the that doesn’t float your boat.
Captain’s Cockpit
The interior is a driver’s dream as well.
Open the door, and the first thing that catches the eye are the unique deep-dish sport bucket seats that wouldn’t look out of place in a Porsche or BMW. They also sit a bit lower than the ones in other Ioniq models. We especially like the N logo in the headrest that illuminates. Very cool. While we were a little surprised to find that these seats are manual with no power adjustments, the deep bolsters really hold you in place, and yet they are relatively easy to get in and out of – something we found kind of tortuous in the BMW M4, for example.
The seats are also accommodating, being both heated and cooled for your driving pleasure.
Adding to that track-inspired vibe is a chunky 3-spoke wheel (also featuring an N logo) and dual toggles above for driver mode and NGB – N Grin Boost, we kid you not! – as well as dual N buttons below as well. Like other Ioniq models, the shift lever sprouts from the steering column. You rotate it forward for Drive, backward for Reverse and push in for park mode. It’s not the most intuitive thing, and we’d still prefer a shift lever in the center, even on an EV.
Behind that steering wheel is more goodness, with seamless dual 12.3-inch screens that create a wall of digital information, and a gorgeous one at that! The instrument display gives you three cool choices – a basic one, similar to what you’d find on any Ioniq, plus two N-performance ones including tachometer – yes tachometer functions – on an EV. We will explain more about that later.
The info-tainment display is excellent with standard Navigation, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Voice recognition and more. All the standard goodies you’d expect from a modern well-connected vehicle.
That center console is unique to the N model, with extra padding to help hold you in place, and an extension on the lower part of the console that includes C-type USB, wireless smartphone charger and cupholders. All the stuff that makes a daytime commuter easier.
In the real world, you’ll also carry passengers, and we could find no difference with other Ioniq 5 models, with a spacious rear seat, and good cargo space. The rear seats fold down, and the large hatch makes it easy to load in large items. So far, performance comes at a no compromise to livability. Very cool.
There’s also eco-friendliness –sustainable materials are applied throughout IONIQ 5 N, including recyclable paperette door decorative garnish, bio-PET yarn from sugarcane, recycled PET yarn from recycled PET bottles, bio TPO from sugarcane, and pure leather. IONIQ 5 N also adds recycled tire pigment paint and recycled poly Alcantara seat cover cloth.
Incredible Performance
All this sounds great so far, right? Well, the best part is yet to come!
Let’s start with the big numbers. 641 (yes, 641!) horsepower and 568 lb.-ft of torque, with dual electric motors, and full-time AWD standard. Actually, the normal number is 601 horsepower, but push that NGB button and you get a 10-second, 40 horse blast. Grin, indeed!
Let that sink in. Those are incredible numbers. Here are more numbers – 0-60 in just over 3 seconds. That’s phenomenal, letting you smoke just about anything on the road except dedicated high-performance supercars.
OK, we’ve seen some other EV’s serve up this kind of thrill, but they can be appliance like. Sure, they are fast, but with little or no noise, it kind of misses on the scintillation scale.
Here’s where some of the genius behind the Ioniq 5 N comes in. Press the N button on the right of the steering wheel, and you’ll see a tachometer on the gauge panel show up and hear the whump of a powerful 4-cylinder engine. Wait, what? Yes, this is trickery, the engine sound is pumped in through the audio. (By the way you can also choose a futuristic EV sound or a Jet Fighter). And you really don’t need a tachometer, do you?
But that’s just part of the magic. As you drive off, the N will impersonate shifting, giving a little pause-kick in the powertrain. This is really good; it convinces you you’re in a traditional gas-powered car with a conventional quick-shifting transmission. And it works, too. We found we liked this setting as our default – it adds so much to the driving experience!
There’s a lot of battery tech involved here, including Hyundai’s first use of an E-GMP, fourth-generation 84.0 kWh battery – the highest capacity battery ever seen in a Hyundai EV! Total range is 221 miles, And the state-of-the-art 800V battery technology allows ultra-fast charging – 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes
The 5 N is more than just a straight-line rocket. It’s an amazing handler, too.
It starts with enhancements to the body-in-white (BIW) structure with 42 additional welding points and nearly 7 feet of additional adhesives.
OK, you’ll have to take Hyundai’s word on that stuff. We can report that Eco, Normal and Sport modes adjust suspension, steering and throttle sensitivity, and it’s a nice blend of civil comfort when you want it, and all-out track capability when you demand it. There’s even a drift mode if you’re into those sorts of things.
The handling is stellar, with great steering feel and response, little or no lean, and great grip, thanks to the AWD system. The limits are so high, you really do need a track to experience them. We’ll just say that on the road, the ability to confidently gobble up terrain is incredible, and you’ll be grinning like crazy as you chew up and spit out your favorite twisty road.
There’s also a great braking system, including an N Brake Regen system that serves up an industry-leading maximum of 0.6 G decelerative force, further enhancing the car’s braking capabilities. As the primary source of brake force, it reduces the risk of brake fade due to the EV’s relative heaviness. Very cool!
It’s clear that Hyundai has done a massive and intense amount of work to create a great drive, and it’s easy to see a bright future for EVs, even for passionate gas-fueled enthusiasts!
Can I afford the Future of EV Performance?
Well, if you ask us, the Ioniq 5 N is a bit of a bargain. You can get into a regular Hyundai Ioniq 5 starting at just $41,800 for an SE Standard Range. It’s a great EV for the majority of buyers.
Now, the 5 N is really a specialist vehicle with an incredible amount of added tech, and even with that all on board, it starts at a reasonable $66,100. Without any available options, you just add in $1,395 for destination, and ring the bell at $67,495.
Competitors would include the sibling 576-horsepower Kia EV6 GT at $62,975. The Kia is a great grand tourer, but Ioniq 5 N is a much more focused on high performance. You can guess where our hearts are!
They probably won’t be crossed shopped but compare it to the Porsche Macan GTS with only 434 horsepower and 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and the 5 N whumps it. And at over $90,000 for that Porsche – well, you get an idea of what a world-beater the Ioniq 5 N is.
Incredible performance, everyday livability, EV goodness with goodies to please any gas-engine enthusiast, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is an amazing driver’s car!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.