The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N represents a pivotal moment in the electric vehicle revolution. By combining the practical, spacious design of the standard Ioniq 5 with the raw performance engineering of Hyundai’s legendary N performance division, the company has created something genuinely special: an affordable, everyday-usable vehicle that can embarrass supercars on the straights and hold its own through the corners. At a starting price of $67,800, the Ioniq 5 N isn’t just quick—it’s quick in a way that challenges everything we thought we knew about electric performance SUVs.
The Numbers That Matter
On paper, the Ioniq 5 N looks serious. Its dual electric motors produce 601 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque, with a temporary boost to 641 hp and 568 lb-ft available via the 10-second N Grin Boost function. In testing, the numbers translated to jaw-dropping real-world performance: a 2.8-second sprint to 60 mph and an 11-second quarter-mile at 124.9 mph. This makes it faster than a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, a Lamborghini Urus Performante, and a Mercedes-AMG EQE SUV—vehicles that cost anywhere from $150,000 to $270,000.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Design and Exterior Presence
Hyundai didn’t hide the Ioniq 5 N’s performance intentions under restrained styling. The N version sits lower, wider, and longer than the standard Ioniq 5, wearing N-exclusive fascias, side skirts, wheel arches, and a substantial rear diffuser. The large rear wing and functional air elements signal genuine performance capability, while the aggressive front grille and air curtains promise serious thermal management for the powertrain and battery.
Finished in Performance Blue matte paint (a $1,000 option but absolutely worth it), the test vehicle turned heads at every stop. The 21-inch forged aluminum wheels and red 4-piston brake calipers reinforce the performance credentials, and orange accents throughout the design tie back to Hyundai’s N brand heritage. This isn’t a wolf in sheep’s clothing—it’s a wolf that admits it’s a wolf.
Interior and Technology
Step inside, and the Ioniq 5 N maintains its playful yet purposeful character. Sport-tuned bucket seats with N logos embrace occupants with racing-inspired support while remaining comfortable for longer drives. The cabin feels genuinely upscale, with a clean, intuitive 12.3-inch center screen that manages to be both modern and refreshingly non-minimalist compared to some luxury competitors that bury basic functions behind endless menu hierarchies.
The real party trick lies in Hyundai’s N-specific features. The N e-Shift function mimics an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission through clever torque vectoring and power interruption between “gears,” creating shift-like drama without an actual transmission. While some enthusiasts dismiss this as gimmicky, it genuinely enhances the driving theater. There’s also N Active Sound+, which pipes synthesized engine noise through 10 speakers—choose from “Ignition” (simulating a turbo 4-cylinder), “Evolution,” or “Supersonic.” You can turn it all off with a button, and honestly, the car doesn’t need these theatrical touches to be thrilling, but they add a layer of playfulness that few performance vehicles dare to embrace.
Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, physical controls for climate functions, and excellent storage solutions round out a thoughtfully designed cabin.
Performance Dynamics
This is where the Ioniq 5 N truly separates itself. Hyundai didn’t just bolt a bigger motor to the standard Ioniq 5. The N team reinforced the body with additional welds and adhesive, strengthened the front and rear subframes, implemented a modified suspension from the Genesis GV60, and completely reworked the brakes, dampers, and thermal management systems.
The result is a vehicle that feels confident and composed despite its considerable 4,861-pound curb weight. The driving experience shifts dramatically based on the selected mode. In everyday driving, it feels composed and manageable. Engage Track mode, and the adaptive dampers stiffen, the torque vectoring activates, and the vehicle transforms into something genuinely thrilling. The customizable all-wheel-drive system enables drivers to adjust the front-to-rear torque distribution across 11 different settings, ranging from fully front-wheel drive to fully rear-wheel drive. It also features an “N Drift Optimizer” function that simulates clutch-kick maneuvers for controlled slides.
The instant torque delivery—586 lb-ft available instantly, with a spike to 568 in boost mode—is intoxicating. There’s a real grip from the stickier tires, and the braking system proves formidable, although the weight is noticeable in sustained stopping performance compared to lighter competitors.
The Range Reality Check
Here’s where reality tempers the excitement: the EPA rates the Ioniq 5 N at just 221 miles of range. Real-world testing showed approximately 190 miles at highway speeds. For a performance vehicle, this is acceptable—even expected—but it’s worth considering. The larger battery (84 kWh) offers quick charging, achieving 10% to 80% charge in 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger. However, Level 2 charging takes more than 7 hours for a full charge.
This isn’t a grand tour car. It’s a point-and-shoot performance machine, perfect for weekend track days, spirited drives through mountain roads, or daily commutes with occasional road-trip capability, thanks to careful charging planning.
Practicality and Daily Use
Despite its performance focus, the Ioniq 5 N remains surprisingly practical. Fold the rear seats, and you’ve got a generous cargo area capable of handling a serious Home Depot run. The ride, while firm and track-focused, still manages daily comfort—though rough roads will rattle your teeth and threaten tire sidewalls. This isn’t a compromise; it’s an intentional design choice that rewards smooth roads and punishes potholes, creating feedback that deepens the driving connection. Four adults fit comfortably, and children won’t complain about legroom. The ergonomics are well-executed, and the overall cabin ambiance strikes a balance between performance theater and everyday functionality.
Safety and Warranty
The Ioniq 5 boasts strong safety credentials from its standard iteration, earning the 2024 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Hyundai has reinforced the body, doors, and B-pillar for improved side crash protection in 2025. Standard safety features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist, along with available adaptive cruise control and parking assistance features.
The warranty package is genuinely impressive: five years or 60,000 miles for general coverage, 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain, and eight years or 100,000 miles for the battery. Three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance sweeten the deal.
Pricing and Value Proposition
At $67,800 for the base model (rising to $68,685 as tested), the Ioniq 5 N occupies an interesting pricing sweet spot. It undercuts most luxury performance SUVs by significant margins while delivering genuine supercar-embarrassing performance. Whether that value holds depends entirely on your priorities. If sheer acceleration and capability matter most, this is a bargain. If you value long-range cruising or premium interior materials, alternatives exist at similar price points.
The Verdict
c It’s not perfect—the limited range, theatrical gimmicks, and firm ride will likely polarize potential buyers. Some will dismiss the fake engine sounds and simulated shifts as juvenile, but others will appreciate the effort. Others will call the 4,800+ pound weight a compromise too far.
But those criticisms miss the forest for the trees. Hyundai has created a genuine performance vehicle that’s genuinely affordable, genuinely quick, and genuinely fun. It’s a car that doesn’t apologize for being enthusiastic. It wants to be driven hard, and it rewards that approach with accessible thrills that previously required six-figure budgets.
For driving enthusiasts with a budget around $70,000 who can tolerate limited range, the Ioniq 5 N is a no-brainer. It’s an engineering achievement, a value proposition, and a reminder that electric performance doesn’t have to be serious to be spectacular.
Rating: 9/10
This is a car that over-delivers on its promises, proving that the future of performance isn’t just electric—it’s surprisingly affordable, shockingly quick, and genuinely fun.
