Hyundai Ioniq 5 N BEV Is a Hoot and Challenger to Pricier Hot Hatches

Sometimes going faux is really smart. Examples: wearing a faux fur coat that provides all the look, warmth and feel of fur without snuffing out the lives of a family of red foxes; wearing cubic zirconia faux diamonds, because no one can tell they aren’t real.

And you can use the savings to buy a brand new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

And so it is with the South Korean automaker’s performance BEV, which has an abundance of faux ICE sounds baked into the car’s software and memory that a driver who likes a lot of get-up-and-go in their daily driver as well as a track-worthy set of wheels on the weekend. You can have it all for the sticker price of $65,495.

That may be quite a price walk from about $42,000 for the base Ioniq 5. But the N performance trim is really two cars in one and proves the advantages of software-defined vehicles in terms of what is possible in the BEV world through the magic of software.

The Ioniq 5 N retains the futuristic and angular design of the standard Ioniq 5 but adds a much sportier flair. It features aggressive front and rear bumpers, larger air intakes and unique N badging that sets it apart from its non-performance sibling. The car sits on 21-in. alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires, giving it a more planted stance. Inside, the cabin has sporty touches like N-branded seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel and exclusive N graphics on the digital displays.

Performance and Handling

The Ioniq 5 N is a snarly beast when it comes to performance. Powered by a dual-motor setup, it delivers a well-tuned 600 hp and 545 lb.-ft. (739 Nm) of torque, making it one of the most powerful BEVs in its class. The instant torque from the electric motors propels the car from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in just around 3.5 seconds, providing a truly surprising driving experience. The N-tuned suspension and brakes deliver on the promise of a true sports vehicle, with precise steering and excellent cornering abilities.

What makes the 5 N special and engineered to help you forget that one isn’t burning gasoline is the long list of customizable modes to fit the mood and driving style of every driver, unless that driver is obstinately clinging to an ICE engine come hell or high water.

Shifting gears on the paddle shifters is, in fact, a simulated experience. The engine noise is faux, as well. The driving experience that the engineers set out to create is, indeed, fully delivered and realized. It feels, drives and sounds like a true performance car on the road and costs less than $15 to “fill up” based on our cost of kilowatts “gassing up” overnight.

For years, we have been told that savvy engineers could make an exciting ICE-like driving experience in an EV, and the Ioniq 5 N bears that out.

The paddle shifters simulate a 7-speed DCT. Using manual mode resets the hot hatch’s torque curves to better simulate ICE pony cars. It kicks like an ICE on upshifts, and surprisingly has red lines for each gear like an ICE.  The regen braking is a perfect fit to the drive experience when you let up on the accelerator.

The 5N plays ICE sounds such as the turbo noise ICE pony drivers are familiar with, as well as exhaust growl and rumble.

A buyer of the Ioniq 5 N should expect to play around with the settings for a day of stop-and-go driving on a weekend day. That would hardly be a bad thing. There are a lot of choices to review in the user-experience. but that is to be expected of a performance EV that is far more than a grocery-getter.

My settings for the most enjoyable ride: powertrain and differential set to Sport+, steering set to Sport, shocks set to Comfort, which gave me a planted and fun driving experience. With all that, I tried downshifting into some tight corners on backroads around Washtenaw County, MI, and nailed the throttle coming out of the turn for a hoot. There is 40 extra hp with the push of a red button on the steering wheel, but weirdly when you do so it negates being able to manually shift and silences the engine sounds I was digging. Truth be told, the extra ponies did not noticeably enhance the driving performance or acceleration fun. I’d rather have the sounds and shifting.

Despite its performance capabilities, the Ioniq 5 N still offers decent range, thanks to its large 77.4-kWh battery pack. On a full charge, it can cover around 250 miles (403 km), although this decreased slightly when we drove it a bit aggressively on some curvy backroads. The car also supports ultra-fast charging, allowing the driver to charge from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes, making it convenient for long-distance trips.

The Ioniq 5 N is packed with advanced technology. It features a fully digital cockpit with a dual-screen setup, offering a customizable driving experience. The infotainment system is responsive and supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and over-the-air updates. The car also comes with a suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and a surround-view camera system, ensuring both safety and convenience.

Comfort and Practicality

While the Ioniq 5 N is a performance vehicle, it doesn't compromise on comfort. The interior is spacious, with ample legroom and headroom for all passengers, especially this NFL-tackle-sized driver. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with side bolsters to keep one’s fanny where it is supposed to be when taking on curves at speed. The flat floor design enhances the cabin's openness, and there's plenty of cargo space (as much as, say a Ford Escape or Hyundai Tucson), thanks to the hatchback design and rear seats that can fold flat.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is an impressive blend of performance, technology, and practicality. It stands out not just as an EV but as a genuine sports car that can deliver thrilling driving experiences while still being suitable for daily use. For those looking for a high-performance electric vehicle that doesn’t sacrifice practicality or cutting-edge technology, the Ioniq 5 N is a top contender against more expensive performance cars for fun and Hyundai’s profit.