The World Car Awards has selected the Ioniq 5 N as its 2024 World Performance Car, marking the South Korean brand's seventh WCA title in the last three years. Twinned with the Kia EV6 GT, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is that little bit sportier both inside and out, as well as under the sheet metal.
The first electric vehicle to wear the N badge wasn't developed to race Model S Plaids at the strip but rather to put a smile on the driver's face in every imaginable driving scenario. The dual-motor EV was developed in accordance with the N division's trademark pillars of Racetrack Capability, Everyday Sportscar, and Corner Rascal. Given the weight of the Ioniq 5 N, the latter may seem like a fallacy.
Tipping the scales at 2,275 kilograms (5,015 pounds), the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N fights the laws of physics and provides driver enjoyment in many ways, beginning with the 21-inch forged aluminum wheels for less unsprung weight and the high-grip Pirelli P-Zero 275/35 by 21-inch rubber shoes. The largest automaker from South Korea further improved the breed with 42 additional welding points over the Ioniq 5, plus 2.1 additional meters (approximately 6.9 feet) of structural adhesives.
Definitely worthy of being called a world-class performance car, the Ioniq 5 N also features reinforced electric drive unit and high-voltage battery mounts, enhanced front and rear subframes, a beefier steering column, larger brakes, and an enhanced battery thermal management system. Hyundai also worked its magic on the powertrain, with the front and rear drive units rated at 21,000 revolutions per minute in N Grin Boost mode.
"By combining our E-GMP platform with N's motorsport expertise, we have created a groundbreaking high-performance EV that has set a new benchmark in the industry,” said N division head Till Wartenberg. "With Ioniq 5 N, we are not just redefining what a performance car is, but also shaping the future of electric driving fun."
Photo: Hyundai
It should be highlighted that Ioniq 5 N isn't the first-ever performance electric vehicle. However, as opposed to the likes of the Tesla Model 3 Performance and soon-to-be-revealed Model 3 Ludicrous, the interior of the Ioniq 5 N is far more in line with the car's go-faster ethos. From the N-specific steering wheel and steering wheel controls to the heavily bolstered seats, checkered flag theme on the door scuff panels, knee pads, shin supports, and an extension to the lower part of the console for enhanced rigidity, the Ioniq 5 N truly means business.
It also impresses on paper, with Hyundai quoting 601 horsepower as is or 641 horsepower when N Grin Boost is activate. NGB increases maximum power 10 seconds at a time, whereas N Launch Control sweetens the deal with three different traction levels. In perfect conditions, and with NGB and NLC active, the Ioniq 5 N launches to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in 3.25 clicks.
Priced $66,100 before destination charge in the United States, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has two more tricks up its sleeve: N Drift Optimizer and Torque Kick Drift. The former maintains the desired drift angle, whereas the latter is designed to simulate a clutch kick for initiating a drift.
Topping at 162 miles per hour (260 kilometers per hour), the Ioniq 5 N can charge at up to 238 kilowatts when connected to a 350-kW fast charger. It takes around 20 minutes to juice up the 84-kWh battery from 10 to 80 percent. The EPA has yet to publish the driving range estimate on a full charge. Over in Europe, the WLTP rating for the combined test cycle is 448 kilometers (278 miles).
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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