2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Came to Los Angeles Just To Be the Perfect Nuisance for Tesla

There has to be a multiverse out there, right? Because otherwise how do you explain the very existence of something like the IONIQ 5 N? It feels like yesterday they were just coming out with the likes of the Elantra GT Line, and now, they’re leveraging 641 horsepower in a hatchback-style family crossover. That’s insane.

I actually mean that in a serious way. It’s insane. Who’s going to be buying these IONIQ 5 N models, I wonder? You already get 320 horsepower in the regular IONIQ 5, which is more than enough for this type of vehicle. It’ll still get you to 60 mph in under 5 seconds, which a little over a decade ago would have been “supercar quick”.

But no, Hyundai had to go and make us an N variant, which on paper seems more than capable of taking on a Tesla Model 3 Performance, or a Model Y Performance for that matter, seeing as how it walks such a fine line between those two segments.

“We are confident that both current Hyundai customers and new buyers will be impressed with the exceptional performance and technology of our new IONIQ 5 N,” stated Hyundai Motor North America president and CEO, Jose Munoz. Who knows, maybe he's right.

We’ve already covered the highlights, but let’s run through a few of them just for kicks, starting with the so-called Corner Rascal capabilities. Yeah, that’s an actual name for an actual function, supported by enhancements to the structure with 42 additional welding points, reinforced motor and battery mounting, plus enhanced front and rear subframes. The steering feel has also been boosted thanks to the quicker ratio and enhanced torque feedback logic.

While that all sounds pretty good, I wonder where exactly the generic IONIQ 5 N buyer is going to experience these types of characteristics. Certainly not at the racetrack, right? Nobody’s going to be taking their IONIQ 5 N to the racetrack, because that would look kind of silly? I don’t know, maybe I’m just having trouble imagining it.

The drag strip on the other hand is definitely the place for this EV, because with an estimated 641 horsepower (with N Grin Boost engaged), you don’t need to fear many cars in a straight line. By the way, that N Grin Boost thing will maximize acceleration for a 10-second interval, which surely won’t last you for an entire quarter mile, but it should be close. This will probably end up being an 11-second car.

As for how this thing looks, it’s alright. I like that they went with a Performance Blue exterior for the LA Auto Show display vehicle, as opposed to White, like the press car.