Hyundai's most powerful series-production vehicle is – no surprises here – an electric sport utility vehicle. Developed for driving fun rather than breaking records, the Ioniq 5 N is pretty fast in a straight line. Thomas and James of Throttle House raced the spicy little crossover against a performance-oriented SUV that weighs around the same as the Hyundai, and – not surprising at all – the Ioniq 5 N made easy work of the Urus.
Pictured at Dunville Autodrome in Ontario, the Urus in question is a pre-facelift model rather than the punchier Urus S or the handling-focused Urus Performante. In other words, the Porsche-Audi 4.0L twin-turbo V8 hiding underhood is good for 641 ponies and 626 pound-feet (850 Nm) of torque.
Tipping the scales at 4,844 pounds or 2,197 kilograms in the metric system, the Raging Bull uses the ZF 8HP torque-converter automatic, resulting in a higher top speed than the Ioniq 5 N. That's 305 kilometers per hour or miles per hour versus 260 kph (161 mph) for the Korean model.
Weighing in at 4,861 pounds or 2,205 kilograms, the Ioniq 5 N usually makes 601 horsepower and 545 pound-feet (740 Nm) from a dual-motor setup. There's no transmission for the rear end à la the Porsche Taycan, with the Taycan Turbo GT Weissach Package topping 305 kph (190 mph).
The Ioniq 5 N does have a truck up its sleeve, a trick that makes a world of difference in the quarter mile. In the so-called N Grin Boost mode, it develops a bit more power (641 hp) and near-instant torque (568 lb-ft or 770 Nm) for 10 seconds at a time.
Photo: Throttle House on YouTube
Although the Urus and Ioniq 5 N are pretty much neck and neck from a dig, the zero-emission crossover obliterates the Italian super utility vehicle over the finish line. As co-host James Engelsman says in the video below, "that wasn't even a race."
Thomas Holland then took the Ioniq 5 N for a hot lap around the Dunville Autodrome's 1.375-mile circuit, with 1.375 miles converting to 2.2 kilometers. A surprisingly entertaining and hugely rewarding handful of a car in the corners, the Hyundai clocked a respectable 1 minute 12 seconds and change. This lap time puts it between the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing (1:12.32) and the Tesla Model S Plaid (1:12.44), whereas the fastest car tested by James at Dunville is the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS (1 minute and 6 seconds).
Stupidly impressive for such a heavy vehicle, and even more so because it's the N division's first-ever performance EV. The closest thing to the Ioniq 5 N is the technically similar Kia EV6 GT, which is certainly getting a bit more oomph for MY2025.
For the time being, 577 horsepower and 546 pound-feet (740 Nm) will have to suffice. Both models aren't exactly good in terms of driving range. The Kia is EPA-rated at 218 miles (351 kilometers), while the Ioniq 5 N offers 221 mi (356 km).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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