Driven: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Changes The Trajectory For EVs

It is not usually we drive a brand new car and really feel as if it has without end modified the automotive panorama. In truth, it hasn’t occurred since we drove the Tesla Model 3 again in 2018. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is such a car. It is a 641-horsepower crossover – allow us to state that once more for emphasis – a six-hundred and forty-one horsepower crossover, that occurs to be electrical. Remarkably, the final a part of that assertion lacks any shock worth in 2025. Okay, it is highly effective; so what? There are dozens of ridiculously fast electrical SUVs in the marketplace that may all rip down a drag strip faster than no matter supercar you had taped in your bed room wall as a child. What makes the Ioniq 5 N so particular? That is the primary (and positively not the final) quick EV that totally matches the joy of a gas-powered sports activities automobile for us.

The Ioniq 5 EV has been in the marketplace since 2021, and it receives its first facelift for the 2025 mannequin yr. A part of that mid-cycle refresh features a hotter N mannequin, the primary car from Hyundai’s N sub-brand to be totally electrical. Output jumps from 320 to 641 hp, and Hyundai applies a lot of what you’d count on from an N efficiency car: greater brakes, stickier tires, stiffer suspension, and crucially… extra noise. Different EVs have sounds that play via the audio system, however Hyundai is the primary to pair that with a simulated transmission, which makes it really feel like a gas-powered automobile. This may sound like a gimmick on paper, however in observe, it utterly transforms the driving expertise. After spending every week within the Ioniq 5 N, we wish all efficiency EVs to be constructed like this.

Exterior Seems: 80s Meets Cyberpunk

We as soon as in contrast the Ioniq 5 to a modern-day Lancia Delta (an ’80s Italian scorching hatchback), and the N mannequin can be the sporty Integrale equal. The N mannequin is even hotter than the bottom mannequin, sporting intricate 21-inch solid aluminum wheels, an aggressive physique package with Luminous Orange accents, and even a spoiler on the again. This is not actually a crossover, it is a scorching hatchback in disguise. When it comes to proportions, the N is 0.79 inches decrease, 2.0 inches wider, and three.2 inches longer than an ordinary Ioniq 5, contributing to its athletic look. At 185.6 inches lengthy (with a 118.1-inch wheelbase), it’s longer than you may assume from taking a look at footage. It is the identical general size because the Ford Mustang Mach-E, however its wheelbase is over half an inch longer. A scarcity of entrance and rear overhangs makes the Ioniq 5 look smaller than it’s in actuality.

The N mannequin is geared in the direction of fanatics, and the design may very well be too aggressive for a median purchaser. These orange accents are at all times current, although you possibly can go for a extra refined shade than our tester’s Soultronic Orange ($500). Abyss Black and Atlas White are no-cost choices, whereas Ecotronic Grey and Efficiency Blue (each matte) value $1,000. We personally desire Efficiency Blue, the signature Hyundai N shade, however want it was accessible in a gloss end on the Ioniq 5.

Inside & On-Board Know-how: Correct Sporty Transformation

The Ioniq 5’s cabin was already a spotlight, so Hyundai did not must do a lot to enhance it. Passenger area is super, and the rear seats may even slide/recline for extra consolation. There’s a big cargo space within the again, however we would prefer to see a approach to fold the rear seats from the trunk. The N mannequin additionally loses the bottom automobile’s entrance trunk, which is not an enormous loss provided that space was tiny. Hyundai made some N-specific adjustments, principally reserved for the entrance row.

You may discover a big two-tier heart console as a substitute of the sliding unit within the common mannequin and a steering wheel with extra buttons. The comfortable seats of the usual Ioniq 5 are changed by sporty N buckets, that are extra snug than they give the impression of being regardless of being nice at holding occupants in place. They preserve their heating and air flow capabilities, however lose their energy adjustment to avoid wasting weight. The N additionally sheds the glass roof as an additional weight-saving measure. You’ll be able to solely get the Ioniq 5 N with a black inside; no different colours can be found.

The Ioniq 5 N comes well-equipped with commonplace options:

• Handbook Alcantara (with H-Tex) heated/ventilated seats
• 5 USB Kind-C ports
• Rearview and surround-view digital camera
• Blind Spot View Monitor
• Wi-fi cellphone charger
• Sensible Cruise Management

Infotainment: Accomplished Proper

The 2025 Ioniq 5 includes a calmly up to date infotainment system with a brand new person interface and totally different icons, though it nonetheless lives on twin 12.3-inch shows. Hyundai up to date the system with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which had been beforehand wired-only. We discovered the interface straightforward to function, other than an annoying sub-menu for the heated/ventilated seats and heated steering wheel, which took a number of seconds to look on the display screen. For almost each different activity, there’s a button or a knob to get fast entry. The N mannequin will get a singular steering wheel with performance-focused buttons, together with a drive mode selector, enhance button, and N Mode. A ten-speaker Bose audio system consists of eight inside audio system that sound first rate however not distinctive, with two extra exterior audio system for the N Lively Sound function, which we are going to focus on within the efficiency part.

 

Efficiency: EV Made Enjoyable

The Ioniq 5 N solely is available in one configuration: a dual-motor setup with an 84 kWh battery pack. That is an immensely quick automobile, producing greater than twice the output of the usual Ioniq 5. It’s price noting that the max energy and torque rankings are solely produced utilizing N Launch Management or N Grin Enhance, a short lived mode that may be engaged from the steering wheel.

Efficiency Impressions

Utilizing the N Launch Management function, our tester clocked 60 mph in simply 3.1 seconds, besting Hyundai’s 3.25-second estimate. How does that stack up on the DrivingOnRoad semi-official 0-60 leaderboard? Effectively, one other efficiency car with a letter and the quantity 5 in its title, the BMW M5, took 3.22 seconds to hit 60 mph in our testing. The Hyundai was additionally faster than the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Aston Martin DBX 707, which clocked runs of three.26 and three.27 seconds, respectively. This automobile is actually a David amongst Goliaths.

Although eye-opening, the Ioniq 5 N’s efficiency is perhaps the least fascinating factor of its driving expertise. There are many fast EVs, simply ask the Audi RS e-tron GT efficiency (the quickest car we’ve ever tested), however the Hyundai units itself aside with two options: N e-Shift and N Lively Sound. The previous simulates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, full with paddle-shift management, speedy upshifts/downshifts, and transient pauses in energy supply. If we did not know any higher, it seems like an actual gearbox.

N Lively Sound makes use of the inside audio system to play one in all three included noises: Ignition (appears like a turbocharged four-cylinder), Evolution (sounds just like the RN22e idea automobile), and Supersonic (appears like a fighter jet). Every mode even comes with sound results, which might be turned on or off. Ignition will get pops after downshifts that solely play via the rear audio system, making it sound like an exhaust is backfiring. Supersonic is a bit sillier, taking part in what appears like an explosion for every shift. It is really hilarious. After all, you possibly can flip all of these items off and cruise round in silence, if that is what you favor.

Trip and Dealing with

We thought the faux transmission and pretend sounds is perhaps gimmicky throughout every week of testing, however we discovered ourselves utilizing them often when driving circumstances allowed. The N button on the wheel permits fast entry to one in all two customized drive modes (like a BMW M automobile), although we had been craving for a 3rd so we may have faster entry to all three N Lively Sounds with out going to the touchscreen. The N e-Shift function might be switched on or off utilizing the correct N button, which must be better-labeled to explain its perform. The automobile accelerates faster with out the simulated gears, so triggering the N Grin Enhance will deactivate N e-shift for a 10-second burst of acceleration. With shifting disabled, the paddle shifters management regenerative braking.

The Ioniq 5 N additionally blew us away with its spectacular dealing with. Wider, stickier tires and multi-link suspension with electronically managed suspension assist this automobile blast round corners in a manner you’d count on from a six-figure German efficiency automobile. Let’s not overlook, this automobile was spearheaded by Albert Biermann, the person liable for BMW M vehicles just like the E39 M5 and E46 M3. A sharper steering rack delivers extra suggestions than you get from a contemporary M or AMG car, with sufficient communication to please even essentially the most old-school fanatic driver. The Ioniq 5 N manages all of this with out ruining general consolation. It is firmer than an ordinary Ioniq 5, however it by no means feels bouncy, particularly within the Consolation suspension mode.

Most consumers won’t ever delve into this automobile’s elaborate degree of customization, which incorporates three settings for the motors, steering, suspension, e-LSD, and ESC, 11 torque distribution settings (front-to-rear), an N Drift Optimizer, Torque Kick Drift function (for clutch kick drifting), Drag/Monitor modes for the battery (for brief or sustained monitor utilization), and Endurance/Dash modes (to maximise vary or efficiency on monitor days). We think about most house owners will uncover how they just like the automobile, set it to one of many two customized N modes, then ignore these different options.

Vary and Battery Data

There’s a worth to pay for the N’s immense efficiency: stopping to cost extra usually. The EPA charges this mannequin at 221 miles of vary from its 84 kWh battery pack, considerably lower than the same-size battery, dual-motor Ioniq 5 that may obtain as much as 290 miles on a cost (269 in Restricted trim and 259 in XRT guise). That is far lower than its rivals: the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT goes 280 miles, the Jeep Wagoneer S goes 294 miles, and the Chevrolet Blazer EV SS goes 303 miles, although all of them have bigger batteries than the Hyundai and are much less track-focused. As a comfort prize, the 800-volt structure permits speedy 238 kW pea charging, which means 10-80% periods take as little as 18 minutes. This charging pace is superior to all of the aforementioned rivals, and matches the Kia EV6 GT, which gets the simulated gears for 2025. Whereas different Ioniq 5 trims now get a Tesla-style NACS charging connector, the N nonetheless makes use of a CCS port. It will probably nonetheless cost at a Tesla Supercharger, however requires an adapter.

Verdict & Pricing: Beginning A Revolution

The 2025 Ioniq 5 N is just not a “price range” efficiency automobile, beginning at $66,200, not together with a $1,375 freight and dealing with charge. That appears like a substantial leap from a fully-loaded Ioniq 5 Restricted, which begins at $54,300, however when you add within the dual-motor setup for $3,900 and think about that the N has twice as a lot energy, the $6,525 premium does not appear so steep; it nearly seems like a discount. You possibly can additionally think about that the Ioniq 5 N out-accelerates the BMW M5, a 717-hp tremendous sedan that prices $119,500. Perhaps Hyundai ought to really cost extra? There are some inexpensive electrical crossovers with comparable energy, however none match the Ioniq 5 N for enjoyable.

Throughout our time with the Ioniq 5 N, we got here up with a metaphor to assist us perceive this automobile and its future significance in automotive historical past. That is the automobile equal of a vegan meat various. There’ll inevitably come a day when meals scientists can – via 3D printing or different strategies – recreate a substance with the precise style, texture, and diet of animal tissue. When that day comes, most individuals will gladly hand over the killing of animals as a result of it’s going to not be needed. At that time, the one individuals who will cling onto the concept of consuming animals will probably be doing so based mostly solely on custom. The identical will probably be true for automobile fanatics who do not embrace the EV as an alternative choice to gasoline.

The Ioniq 5 N will not be the automobile to win over everybody; it is nonetheless within the plant burger-era of convincing, not a precise substitute. However keep in mind, Hyundai is the very first automaker to make an EV like this, and given the exponential evolution on this market, it will not take lengthy earlier than different firms (or Hyundai itself) excellent this system to the purpose the place it is indistinguishable from a gasoline-powered automobile. If driving the Ioniq 5 N does not get you excited in regards to the electrified future, you’re merely unattainable to please. On this author’s opinion, it is essentially the most thrilling EV ever made, it is among the many most spectacular vehicles on sale at this time, and each different automaker wants to repeat Hyundai’s homework.