YEONGAM, South Korea — Former Hyundai R&D boss Albert Biermann as soon as instructed me that the corporate’s N vehicles needs to be “a little bit loopy.” And if you happen to’ve ever pushed the Elantra N, Kona N or Veloster N (RIP), precisely what he means. Borderline unhinged and raucous in one of the best ways, Hyundai’s N vehicles won’t be the sharpest or most refined pocket rockets, however candy saltwater taffy, they’re a whale of a time.
It’s an ethos that’s served the Hyundai N lineup effectively, and a spirit that I’m comfortable to report may be very a lot alive within the firm’s first electrical rowdy boi: the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. That’s even though this isn’t a sizzling hatch, however a compact crossover the scale of a Tucson that ideas the scales at 2.2 tons – sufficient to make Biermann name it the “literal elephant within the room.”
The N-specific adjustments begin with – what else? – extra energy. The Ioniq 5 N makes use of a brand new 84-kilowatt-hour battery pack (versus the usual automobile’s 77.4) and pair of electrical motors that churn out a mixed 601 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. Hit the “NGB” button on the steering wheel – shorthand for N Grin Increase – and output is elevated to 641 hp for transient moments, permitting the Ioniq 5 N to speed up to 60 mph in an estimated 3.3 seconds.
The Ioniq 5 N’s driving vary remains to be TBD and Hyundai is not providing any ballpark estimates. The usual long-range, dual-motor Ioniq 5 has an EPA-estimated vary of 260 miles, nevertheless it additionally has that smaller 77.4-kWh battery. Maybe the N’s bigger pack will negate the vary drop that comes with the massive enhance of energy. We’ll know for positive in just a few months time.
As a way to higher face up to the upper calls for of racy driving, the Ioniq 5’s battery has elevated thermal administration safety. You’ll be able to precondition the battery to Drag or Observe settings – the previous supplying you with an all-out burst of energy whereas the latter is alleged to supply extra constant efficiency over a number of laps. Additionally, don’t neglect, the Ioniq 5’s 800-volt structure permits for faster-than-average charging speeds of as much as 238 kilowatts. Hyundai’s even planning to put in Stage 3 fast-chargers at choose tracks world wide.
The Ioniq 5 N will allow you to manually modify the ability distribution between the 2 motors, permitting you to ship as much as 100% of the out there torque to both the entrance or rear axle. That is additionally the way you unlock the N Drift Optimizer – a model of the know-how that sister firm Kia affords on the EV6 GT – which makes sliding the rump ‘spherical tight corners a lot simpler. It’s the stuff you must solely save for a closed course, and completely not for doing doughnuts within the Walmart parking zone at 3:00 a.m. Ahem.
Regenerative braking additionally performs a component within the N expertise. As in all different Hyundai Group EVs, the i-Pedal mode ratchets up regen sufficient in regular driving to allow you to drive with one pedal. The Ioniq 5 N provides a brand new step past that with N-Pedal: swap it one whereas lapping a observe, and the regen is elevated so that you aren’t digging into the mechanical brakes as a lot. It’s like a one-pedal race mode, and it’s tuned remarkably effectively.
From there, it’s extra of what you count on. The Ioniq 5 N has 21-inch wheels and Pirelli P Zero 275/35 summer time tires in any respect 4 corners. The physique is stronger with elevated lateral rigidity, and the electrical drive motors are encased in WRC-like axles to higher deal with the elevated torque whereas additionally lowering unsprung mass. Stiffer chassis elements and a faster steering rack spherical out the adjustments, and the entire automobile is bundled up in a hot-looking wrapper with “Luminous Orange” accents and purposeful bits of aero add-ons.
These predictable adjustments can be sufficient to show the Ioniq 5 right into a ripper, however once more, what’s an N automobile with out a little little bit of loopy? With out query, essentially the most fascinating piece of the Ioniq 5 N puzzle is one thing known as N E-Shift, which mimics the expertise of driving a automobile with an inside combustion engine and planetary gear set, both swapping by imaginary cogs by itself, or on the driver’s request by way of the steering wheel-mounted paddles.
With N E-Shift, the Ioniq 5 doesn’t drive like an EV. The electrical motors initially delay response to offer the sensation of turbo lag. The facility peaks and surges just like the turbo engines in Hyundai’s different N vehicles. You’ll be able to rev excessive in every gear and the Ioniq 5 will lurch and minimize energy whereas your pretend tach needle bangs off the pretend rev limiter. The expertise is legitimately uncanny. And it’s enjoyable. Like, a ton of enjoyable.
I do know N E-Shift seems like simply one other EV gimmick. However after just a few laps across the Korea Worldwide Circuit – the nation’s former System 1 observe – I can’t think about driving the Ioniq 5 N with this tech turned off. No, it gained’t trick your mind into considering you’re in a gas-powered sports activities automobile, however the sound of the ‘engine’ and kick of the ‘shifts’ actually heightens this automobile’s visceral nature. It provides the Ioniq 5 perspective, and genuinely provides to the rambunctious vibe that’s an indicator of each N product.
It makes the Ioniq 5 N extra fascinating to drive on public roads, too – even the closely speed-regulated streets of South Korea. A part of what I’ve all the time cherished about Hyundai’s N vehicles is that they’re enjoyable as heck for bombing round city or taking freeway on-ramps with gusto. Is the Ioniq 5 N too stiff for each day driving? It looks as if it’ll be OK, however then South Korea’s roads are additionally impeccably paved. We’ll let you know the way it does after a drive up the 405 in Los Angeles or nearly wherever in southeastern Michigan.
Inside, the N doesn’t vastly differ from different Ioniq 5s, however there are just a few significant adjustments, together with a rear window wiper, which is an even bigger win than you would possibly assume. The 5’s nifty sliding middle console is gone, changed by a lighter, fastened setup with a wi-fi charging pad. Closely bolstered sport seats present sufficient consolation for lengthy stints behind the wheel, and there are little Alcantara touches right here and there – together with the steering wheel.
Not one of the Ioniq 5’s in-car tech is misplaced within the transition to N mode; the 12.3-inch middle display runs an up to date model of Hyundai’s multimedia software program that lastly – lastly! – permits wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections. The standard smattering of driver-assistance options will probably be supplied, too. This gained’t be some stripper-spec sports activities automobile. Nor ought to or not it’s, contemplating the Ioniq 5 N will seemingly be priced within the $65,000 to $70,000 vary when it goes on sale subsequent March – an informed guess primarily based on present Ioniq 5 MSRPs.
All the pieces that’s nice about the usual Ioniq 5 is alive and effectively within the N, with the additional benefit of this automobile being correctly rambunctious and enjoyable to throw round. If that is how Hyundai plans to deliver its N model into the electrical period, then we’ve got quite a bit to stay up for certainly.