This week I bring you a vehicle that I consider a true engineering marvel. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, the brand's first N-Badged performance vehicle that's all-electric. It's a showcase of Hyundai's latest and astounding electrification technology and perhaps the most advanced electric vehicle I've ever encountered. It's certainly the one that's felt the most like a true sport car.
Exterior
The IONIQ 5 N certainly makes promises with its attention-grabbing looks. Wow, does the IONIQ 5 pop in Performance Blue matte paint. It definitely garners looks from passerby - and for all the right reasons. Yes, it'll cost you $1000 extra but it is worth every penny.
The IONIQ 5 N is lower, wider and longer than the standard IONIQ 5 variant. N-Exclusive exterior elements include the 21-inch forged aluminum alloy wheels, red 4 piston brake calipers, and luminous orange accents along with N-exclusive fascias, side skirts, wheel archers and rear diffuser.
Up front, an N Mask graphic fascia features a functional mesh along with an air curtain and active air flaps for extra cooling. In back, an aerodynamic N-Exclusive wing-type rear spoiler and orange-accented rear diffuser and air outlet enhance performance. Below the rear hatch, a N-exclusive black bumper cover is treated to cool track-inspired checkered-flag-reflecting graphics.
Standard features include flush type door handles, and LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights.
Performance
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N's performance delivers upon its promises. The power, the instant torque - both outstanding. Dual motors paired with a new 84 kWh battery deliver 601-horses and up to 641 horsepower with N Grin Boost engaged. It gives you a 10-second boost of power and also automatically activates with N Launch Control. It also gives you up to 568 pound-feet of torque. With those numbers, it's no surprise this thing moves. Hyundai cites a 0-60 time of approx. 3.25 seconds with N Launch Control and Grin Boost function engaged. The sporty N Active Sound+ engine note you get in N Grin Boost sounds amazing.
The big story for me: N e-shift. It will change the way you think about gear shifts in a sporty EV. It simulates a eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). It's pretty technical in design so I'll just leave it at this: the shifts make feel like you're driving a bonafide sports car.
The IONIQ N 5's N-tuned brakes with a new lightweight design also deserve special mention. They're incredible and Hyundai's most powerful brakes to date. Hyundai also enhances their performance with a new N Brake Regen braking system.
There are so many exclusive engineering aspects to the N - many of those really reserved for track-oriented gear head. Gear head I am admittedly not, so I won't go into detail on all of them, but I will list them: N Battery Preconditioning, N Race, N Pedal, N Brake Regen, N Drift Optimizer, N Torque Distribution, N Launch Control, N Grin Boost, N Active Sound +, N e-shift, and Track SOC. It's also equipped with a N Rear electronic limited slip differential, N Electronically controlled suspension and a specially-tuned N R-MDPS (Rack-Mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering) system.
For a video on its rally-inspired "Corner Rascal" capabilities on the track click here.
Interior
The N-branded black interior is sporty and driver centric with N lightweight sport bolstered bucket seats. The Alcantara and H-Tex front seats are positioned lower over the standard variant. They're just fantastic. Both, heated and ventilated.
A newly designed leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel features a prominent N badge for the first time and it's also where you'll find all those adrenaline-inducing, and addictive I might add, N Buttons. Hyundai additionally says the N's redesigned foot pedals reduce the risk of foot slippage in two-pedal driving.
Another new design element is a checkered-flag theme —a track-inspired take on the Hyundai's parametric pixel design. You'll see it incorporated into the door scuff plates and metal pedals. The cabin also features Performance Blue accents and stitching.
Technology shines as usual with two 12.3-inch digital displays. One for the driver gauge cluster, where you find a bunch of performance info in addition to the usual information. A 12.3-touchscreen displays the multimedia and navigation system which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 10-speaker Bose premium audio system does this sporty ride justice.
Like the standard IONIQ 5, the N variant is roomy in both rows. It also incorporates sustainable materials, including recyclable door decorative garnish, BIO PET yarn from sugarcane, recycled PET yarn from recycled PET bottles, BIO TPO from sugarcane and eco-processed leather. IONIQ 5 N also adds recycled tire pigment paint and recycled poly Alcantara seat cover cloth.
Connectivity features include a standard wireless charger and front/rear USB C ports. Other standard features include rain sensing wipers, ambient interior lighting, dual-zone climate with rear AC vents and a hands-fee power liftgate. Carpeted floor mats add $210 to the bottom line.
Ride and Drive
The N's driving characteristics are out of this world, and this is coming from someone who's been behind the wheel of a lot of electric vehicles. Put simply, what a thrill ride! And that's not speaking from a track experience, but to its every day sports car sensibilities.
The best way to put it is this does not feel like a SUV. It feels like a two seater sports car. This is due to many things I've already covered and then some, including its low stance, low driver seat position and absolutely mind-blowing N e-shift. I've never experienced an EV that shifts like a true sports car like this one. Handling is incredible as are its summer high performance 275/35R21 Pirelli P Zero tires that grip the road.
N Active Sound + is also new to Hyundai. It pipes in one of three options: I prefer "Ignition" which simulates the sound of an internal-combustion 4-cylinder engine. ‘Evolution’ and ‘Supersonic’ are two others that sound more synthesized to me.
Range and Charging
The IONIQ 5 N delivers 221 miles of range - less than the standard variant which for 2025 yields up to 318-miles depending on trim. It's the price you pay for the well-worth it performance.
Using a DC-Fast Charger the N will charge 10% to 80% in 18 minutes. Note while Hyundai has started integrating a NASC charge port into its EV lineup, the 2025 IONIQ 5 N needs an adaptor to plug in to Tesla's Supercharging Network. If you're using a Level 2 charger it charges 10%-100% in 7 hours 20 minutes.
As we already know from the standard IONIQ 5, Hyundai does a fantastic job displaying charging info on the driver display as well as on the touchscreen.
Safety
Hyundai's excellent suite of driver assistance tech includes Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist Lane Keeping Assist; Lane Following Assist Driver Attention Warning Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Blind-Spot View Monitor Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist - Reverse Parking Distance Warning - Reverse/Forward/Side, Rearview Camera, Safe Exit and Assist Advanced Rear Occupant Alert. The N also has Smart Cruise Control, Highway Driving Assist, and Surround View monitor.
MSRP
The price tag, just shy of $69K, may seem on the steep side - until you consider what you've got here. One incredibly engineered machine.
Verdict
Even if high performance EV's aren't your thing - the sheer ingenuity of what Hyundai engineers have accomplished here is worthy of your attention. If you DO enjoy electric vehicles and the thrill of outstanding performance and precise driving dynamics, you need to experience some time in the seat of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N.
- What I Liked Most: N Performance, Driving Dynamics, N e-Shift
- What I would change: An aerodynamic sunroof would add to every day appeal.
- MSRP: Base: $66,100. As equipped: $68,685.
- Official Color: Performance Blue Matte ($1000).
- Fuel Economy: 84 city mpge /72 highway mpge / 78 combined mpge.
- Odometer reading when tested: 9,119 miles.
- Curb Weight: 4,861 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Tire mobility kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 185.6" length/76.4 ” width/62.4” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: N/A.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2025 n a few words: A technological and engineering marvel that aside from being a thrill ride marks a true advancement of electric vehicles.
- Warranty: 10-Year / 100,000-Mile Hybrid/EV Battery Warranty, 5-Year / 60,000-Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, 7-Year / Unlimited Miles Anti-Perforation Warranty, 5-Year / Unlimited Miles 24-Hour Roadside Assistance
- Final Assembly Location: Ulsan, Korea
- Manufacturer's website: Hyundai
