Just a little inside data on how being a automotive critic works: there are folks whose job is to carry automobiles to and from journalists. They know as a lot about automobiles as any knowledgeable you see on TV or learn on-line (Hello!). They usually have poker faces.
Automakers pay firms to take care of and clear automobiles, schedule them for publications like ours, drop them off, and decide them up.
The drivers who work for these firms are a number of the solely individuals who have pushed as many automobiles as KBB editors have. Their shoppers don’t need them to say something that influences what we would write. So, they’re nice poker gamers, by no means revealing a desire. They could possibly be dropping off an financial system automotive or an unique six-figure convertible; all they may touch upon is your backyard.
I let you know this to let you know this: The driver who dropped off the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for me to check smiled. He shook his head. He reluctantly handed me the keys. The Ioniq 5 N broke his skilled cool.
Concerning the Ioniq 5 N
The Ioniq 5 N is a track-ready, ultra-high-performance model of Hyundai’s midsize electrical SUV, the Ioniq 5. I’m on document saying the Ioniq 5 could also be the perfect all-around electrical car (EV) anybody has constructed but.
However the Ioniq 5 N is one thing else fully. The high-performance model boasts as much as 641 horsepower, a drift mode, a drag mode, and a setting that makes it burble and snarl prefer it has an engine. It’s an automotive marvel with a number of — and just some — compromises as an on a regular basis automotive. However per week driving it left me considering it’s the appropriate alternative for only a choose few. I liked it. I don’t advocate it until you propose to order time at an area monitor repeatedly.
My take a look at mannequin had solely two added-cost choices: Atlas White paint ($470) and carpeted ground mats ($210). The entire sticker was $68,175, together with a $1,395 supply payment.
A Day by day Driver and a Monitor Toy on the Contact of Many Buttons
Many automobiles have a high-performance model. If you recognize the distinction between a BMW 3 Collection and an M3, you get the thought.
What’s new about this one is that you may flip the efficiency on and off. Hyundai used the computer-on-wheels nature of electrical automobiles to make its first true monitor automotive customizable. It has settings for every little thing from horsepower to grip degree.
In my week driving it, I didn’t get to discover its wildest capabilities. I’ll go away that to my colleagues Lyn Woodward and Mike Hazard, who took it to the monitor:
However I did discover its efficiency credentials — at the least as a lot as one can with out risking their license.
The Ioniq 5 N has surprising quickness. A zero-to-60 time of three seconds flat is astonishing at this value level. Technically, you can simply use that acceleration to rise up to freeway pace. Nevertheless, that’s like utilizing a thoroughbred racehorse to canter round your yard.
However You Must Research as much as Use It
To get that blistering acceleration, you employ buttons on the steering wheel to pick the proper driving mode, a touchscreen menu to precondition the battery to the appropriate temperature, one other touchscreen menu to interact launch management and modify the grip setting, after which one other steering wheel button to set off “N Grin Enhance” for a 10-second punch of horsepower. Then, you step on the accelerator.
Different menus set off race mode, torque distribution modifications, a drift setting, spaceship noises, and doubtless 1,000,000 different capabilities I didn’t discover in per week’s time. You possibly can activate engine sounds and faux shifting (utilizing paddle shifters). You possibly can verify the temperature of the battery and every of the 2 motors. You possibly can see what number of Newton meters of energy every axle is at present producing. You possibly can verify how laborious you’re miserable the brake pedal at a stoplight.
Hyundai gave them playful names like “N Grin Shift” and “Nook Rascal.” It doesn’t change the truth that this automotive has settings like a fighter jet has dials and switches. You’d must dedicate quite a lot of seat time simply to study half of them.
The enjoyment of driving a high-performance model of a household automotive is that you may run errands in it casually after which fake to be Lewis Hamilton on a freeway cloverleaf. With the Ioniq 5 N, although, it’s a must to study to be his engineer, too.
Should you’re shopping for the automotive for weekend monitor days, that matches into the professional column. Should you simply need a fast household automotive, although, its complexity could possibly be a con.
That’s almost it for compromises, although. Ignore the various buttons and menus, and the Ioniq 5 N can simply be an abnormal household automotive for day-to-day use.
I discovered one minor annoyance — a droning noise off the entrance axle at neighborhood speeds. Paging by the various shows, I realized that the noise solely occurs when the rear motor is powering the automotive and the entrance one is alongside for the trip. Speed up for a second, and the entrance motor engages, ending the whine.
Possibly We Ought to Go away These for the Weekend Racers
I totally loved my week within the Ioniq 5 N. After I handed again the keys, I used to be smiling.
I nonetheless wouldn’t advocate the Ioniq 5 N for many drivers. Not as a result of its astonishing energy and sporty dealing with aren’t enjoyable. However as a result of an Ioniq 5 with out an N on it’s already enjoyable.
An all-wheel-drive (AWD) Ioniq 5 in sport mode will get from zero to 60 mph in below 5 seconds. It has mild, responsive steering and loads of grip. It’s extra efficiency than the typical driver wants. And it’s obtainable for below $56,000.
So, a plea — go away these for the individuals who will use them for every little thing they’re able to. Every week within the Ioniq 5 N confirmed me that it’s simple to reside with as a household automotive.
However Lyn and Mike’s day on the monitor confirmed me that that’s not what this automotive is. Superman shouldn’t be caught within the Clark Kent function for all times. Thoroughbreds ought to be allowed to race.
The Ioniq 5 N arrives as a really area of interest automotive meant for a distinct segment set of patrons. Should you suppose you need one however know you’ll by no means have interaction that drift mode, you’re higher off with a extra reasonably priced Ioniq 5 with out the N subsequent to the identify. Select that so these can reside the life they had been constructed for on the monitor.