Hyundai

Ioniq 5 N

With gorgeous styling and outrageous performance stats, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is one of the best electric vehicles on sale today. Okay, it’s not cheap, but very few cars that are this much fun ever are. And it boasts a great driving range between charges too.

Test Drive

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N – First Drive (2024)

Every once in a blue moon a car comes along that you simply can’t get enough of and that’s exactly how the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N makes you feel.

We’ve heard about hot hatches, but this is a sizzling hot EV with blistering pace and an impressive driving range between charges too.

It’s powered by an 84kWh battery and delivers up to 650PS and a whopping 739Nm of torque which means this powerhouse of a car can soar from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds and tops out at 161mph. Yet it can still achieve a WLTP-tested 278 miles between charges (although not at those speeds!)

Admittedly it’s not cheap with prices starting from £65k, but the clue to this car’s scorching pace is the N in the title which means it has been in the hands of Hyundai’s N performance division. And that has resulted in a vehicle that has been fully tuned to deliver maximum fire-power along with drop dead gorgeous styling.

For starters the Ioniq 5 N features a new-look bumper along with a lip spoiler that accentuates its low-slung stance. There are front air intakes and then, at the rear, is an N-specific wing type spoiler with integrated triangular N brake light. In addition, there is an enlarged diffuser, deep side skirts, chequer flag reflector graphics and 21-inch forged wheels.

By taking inspiration from Hyundai’s world rally team, rigidity has been increased thanks to 42 extra welding points and the steering column has been reinforced too. With motors on both axles, this car boasts four-wheel drive ability and there are larger brakes to deal with the extra force, plus an enhanced suspension system that stiffens for testing handling and then softens for added comfort on motorways.

Compared to the standard Ioniq 5, this model is 20mm lower, 80mm longer due to the diffuser and 50mm wider to accommodate the larger Pirelli tyres.

And the interior has been given the N treatment too with plenty of model-specific badging throughout the cabin. There are body-hugging sports bucket seats with a stylish mix of leather and Alcantara upholstery, plus reinforced bolster support. Initially when you take your seat behind the wheel, they do feel a little firm, and you are sitting 20mm lower than in the standard car, but the seats offered plenty of support during my two-hour test drive.

Interior features include a 12.3-inch touchscreen which is the access point to the navigation system, 10-speaker Bose sound system, smartphone connection and plenty more besides. Behind the steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital cluster clearly displays all the vital driving stats and there is a head-up display to keep a constant eye on that speed. Quick keys offer fast and easy access to many on-board features and there is a separate panel for all the climate settings.

The steering wheel has been redesigned for this car with buttons to control the drive modes, along with a bright orange control with the letters NGB on it. This is simply impossible to ignore. It stands for N Grin Boost and gives the car the full beans as it counts down from 10 to zero.

So, it will come as little surprise to learn that the Ioniq 5 N is fast, very fast and you are guaranteed to lose your nerve long before the car shows any sign of letting up.

The acceleration is seriously quick and the confidence through twisting country lanes is breath-taking with outstanding grip and no sign of body sway. It’s beautifully balanced and can easily put in a shift on a motorway too. The great driver visibility makes busier town centre driving a breeze, but before long you will be hankering for those challenging B roads where the Ioniq 5 N can really demonstrate its power and prowess.

The drive modes are called Eco, Normal and Sport and they alter the performance accordingly. Then there are the additional N modes which allow you to adjust the set-up of the steering weight, electric motors, damper stiffness amongst other settings.

The paddles are multi-purpose. They can be used to alter the levels of regenerative braking with four settings to select from, or by pressing the N e-Shift button, they become just like traditional gear-shifters that fire through a simulated eight-speed transmission. This is where the N Active Sound system also comes into play with a synthetic engine and gearbox noise complete with the snap, crackle and pop exhaust notes as you decelerate.

And if track days are your thing, there are drift settings and the likes for playing away from public roads. It seems those Hyundai engineers have catered for everyone with this vehicle.

But, we must also consider that this is a practical family car too. And with that in mind, there is room for a couple of adults (three at a push) in the back. The boot, which is accessed via a powered tailgate, has a capacity that ranges from 480 litres to a generous 1,540 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat.

There are numerous handy storage options throughout the cabin too, including a glovebox, cup holders, deep door bins, a central cubby, a large storage area between the front seats and a wireless charging pad.

And on the matter of charging, the Ioniq 5 N’s 84kWh battery can be boosted in just 18 to 36 minutes via a fast charger or fully charged in 11 hours, 30 minutes when plugged into a home wallbox.

All in all, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N simply can’t be ignored. It looks gorgeous, drives with outrageous pace and handling, yet can still be practical enough for the school run, where your children will find their popularity status soaring. Now all I can add is, any tips for next week’s Lotto?