Fifteen years in the past, the idea of a 600-horsepower electrical Hyundai would have blown individuals’s minds. And but, right here we’re right now. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is actual, and it makes 641 hp once you hit the enhance button. That’s an entire lot of energy, an identical to what you get in a Lamborghini Urus. Relying on the way you spec your Urus, although, the $67,475 Ioniq 5 N might be a full $200,000 cheaper.
All that energy meant we knew the Ioniq 5 N was going to be fast, not less than in a straight line. Very fast. 0 to 60 mph in 3.25 seconds fast. With practically 5,000 kilos to haul round, although, we had to wonder if it will really be enjoyable within the corners. Because it seems, sure, the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is an absolute blast to drive, and not like the Kia EV6 GT with which it shares a platform, it’s as at house on a race observe as any electrical crossover may probably be.
Full Disclosure: The oldsters at Hyundai needed me to drive the Ioniq 5 N so badly, they paid for my flight to Monterey, fed me costly dinners, paid for all my drinks and rented out Laguna Seca so I may roast some expensive tires. Additionally they supplied a hat and strain gauge that I forgot to take house with me. Hopefully, I’ll reside.
If you happen to’re undecided who’s going to spend $70,000 on an electrical Hyundai with a 3-second 0-to-60 time, you’re not alone. Arguably, Hyundai doesn’t know, both. Sometimes automakers develop a buyer profile for a brand new automobile, which provides us a little bit perception into what sort of particular person it believes the automobile will enchantment to. After I requested Hyundai spokespeople in regards to the Ioniq 5 N, they stated they didn’t try this this time round. If you happen to needed to be cynical, you can say that’s as a result of Hyundai is aware of not many individuals will purchase it, however alternatively, you can additionally say Hyundai constructed the efficiency EV it needed to make with out worrying an excessive amount of about interesting to a selected buyer.
Put in your hypothetical product planner hat and you may get a good concept of who the Ioniq 5 N will in all probability enchantment to. They in all probability make not less than $200,000 a 12 months, which implies they in all probability personal their very own house or not less than reside in a pleasant sufficient constructing to have entry to a charger. They’re an fanatic who needs a sports activities automobile however wants one thing that shall be sensible sufficient to move a child or a few canine. Additionally they in all probability have a second automobile that enables them to justify shopping for an EV that might be inconvenient to roadtrip.
On the finish of the day, although, it doesn’t actually matter as a result of the Ioniq 5 N is so rattling enjoyable to drive. A fast check drive by means of just a few turns could have you convincing your self that the excessive value and comparatively low vary aren’t that huge of a deal. Overlook numbers and sensible comparisons, this factor is simply an absolute riot. After only some minutes on the street, my drive companion and I couldn’t cease guffawing as I tossed it into corners at questionably excessive speeds. It’s a automobile that makes you wish to do silly shit, and I imply that in one of the best ways potential. When Hyundai stated the Ioniq 5 N can be a “nook rascal,” it wasn’t mendacity.
The giggle-inducing character even applies to the pretend dual-clutch transmission shifting mode that Hyundai’s engineers determined to present the Ioniq 5 N, which is a legitimately enjoyable function. I knew it was mendacity to me, and I knew it wasn’t really making me sooner, however I additionally didn’t care. Quick EVs have unbelievable efficiency numbers, however in my expertise, there’s additionally one thing lifeless about the way in which they speed up when you get going. Sure, you’ll be able to see the numbers on the speedometer going up rapidly, however you don’t actually really feel it as soon as your abdomen has caught up with the automobile. Even one thing like the 1,400-hp Ford Mach-E race automobile didn’t really feel practically as fast because it really was. Hate the idea all you need on precept, however the pretend shifting makes going quick in Ioniq 5 N extra fascinating. I in all probability wouldn’t use it each day, however I promise it’s greater than a gimmick.
You additionally get pretend engine sounds which you can fortunately flip off. Initially anticipated that to be one of many first issues that I did, and but, I didn’t. If this was my day by day driver, I in all probability would, however one thing about this ridiculous automobile making ridiculous noises simply felt proper as I drove manner too quick alongside the streets in Monterey. I do know it’s flawed, but it surely simply felt proper, and whereas I’d like to be a purist who attracts arduous traces within the sand, should you’re getting foolish, why not go all-in?
There are all kinds of settings you’ll be able to alter to make the automobile deal with the way in which you need, together with a drift mode, however what impressed me a lot was simply how a lot enjoyable I had with out even excited about what mode I used to be in or what settings I had chosen. Regardless of its 4,800-pound weight, the Ioniq 5 N’s suspension and chassis did a fantastic job of maintaining issues below management, and the brakes remained robust regardless of how a lot I requested of them. It was additionally fairly snug, so that you don’t have to fret about paying for the efficiency with a harsh journey.
On observe at Laguna Seca, the Ioniq 5 N can be much more fulfilling than it has any proper to be. Getting used to the middle of gravity being beneath me whereas additionally studying the observe took a little bit time, however with each lap I used to be in a position to confidently push it tougher and tougher, knocking a surprising variety of seconds off my preliminary lap time by the point the observe drive was over. With one other couple of laps I in all probability may have gone even sooner, however my bravery additionally has its limits, and, because it seems, the corkscrew is rather more intimidating in particular person. That’s my fault, although, not the Ioniq 5 N’s.
As succesful because the automobile is on the observe, I’ve a tough time believing that house owners are literally going to take their Ioniq 5 Ns to the observe. I noticed about 200 miles of vary on a virtually full cost, which might be nice for day by day driving should you can cost at house, but when you must drive to the observe and there isn’t an accessible charger, you can simply find yourself with out sufficient vary left to get again house afterward. Three sizzling laps plus a cooldown with a Hyundai driver going arduous killed 20 p.c of the Ioniq 5 N’s battery. If you happen to’re critical about your lap instances, the get together shall be over in much less time than it takes to stream an episode of “Pleased Endings.” And even when your native observe has chargers, the load means you’re going to undergo tires virtually as quick as you burn by means of the battery.
If you happen to’re the form of sensible one who needs to learn numbers and particulars so you can also make one of the best determination on your subsequent buy, the Ioniq 5 N in all probability isn’t for you. It’s a really costly Hyundai with a restricted vary, and at its core it’s nonetheless a reasonably large electrical crossover with a bunch of go-fast bits thrown in for good measure. However on the flip aspect, that is the primary time I’ve pushed an EV and had wherever close to this a lot enjoyable. I needed to hate the entire pretend shifting factor and usually don’t need something to do with pretend engine noise, and but there I used to be, having an absolute blast in a automobile that does nothing however misinform you. I’m speculated to care about arduous numbers and provides good shopping for recommendation, and all I can discuss is simply how a lot enjoyable I had. I suppose I don’t thoughts being lied to if it makes the expertise extra fulfilling. And belief me, calling my time behind the wheel of the Ioniq 5 N “fulfilling” is absolutely understating it.
If the automobile’s not for you, it’s not for you. Truthfully, it in all probability isn’t a automobile for most individuals. Contemplating it prices greater than I make in a 12 months, it’s definitely not for me, however that’s my drawback, not Hyundai’s. Even Hyundai would in all probability admit the Ioniq 5 N doesn’t actually make all that a lot sense on paper, however why purchase a automobile {that a} spreadsheet says is objectively the correct alternative? Stay a little bit and purchase the automobile that makes you are feeling issues even when the badge on the hood isn’t probably the most prestigious. If your pals giggle at you for spending $70,000 on the poor particular person’s Lamborghini Urus, who cares? They’re simply stuck-up losers who wouldn’t know a very good time if it punched them within the face.
I really don’t know if the Ioniq 5 N shall be successful or not. Hyundai talked loads about how gross sales of the i30 N ended up being far greater than their inner gross sales estimates, so it’s at all times potential that the Ioniq 5 N will do one thing related. I don’t know, I’m not the product planner, nor ought to I be. I simply know the automobile I drove was a hoot, and I hope different individuals get to have as a lot enjoyable within the Ioniq 5 N as I did. Even when Hyundai has constructed one thing that not many individuals are going to purchase, I nonetheless love that they put it into manufacturing anyway.
