What is it:
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric hot hatch is the fastest and most expensive car from Hyundai to date, with Porsche 911 performance for a fraction of the price.
Price:
From $111,000 plus on-road costs ($119,000 to $121,800 drive-away depending on registration and stamp duty fees in each state).
Engine:
Two electric motors with peak outputs of 170kW/370Nm (front), 303kW/400Nm (rear) for a combined total of 478kW/770Nm in boost mode.
Transmission:
Single-speed (as with almost all electric cars), however Hyundai has created a genius paddle-shift set-up that mimics a twin-clutch automatic gearbox in a turbo petrol hot hatch, should the driver prefer that mode.
Driving range and battery capacity:
Maximum distance claimed is 448km on a full charge, based on its 84kWh battery capacity. Our real-world testing was closer to 350 to 400km driving range using our 130km road loop and driving it modestly.
As should be expected, when we were performance testing it used more energy, which reduced driving range (as is the case when performance-testing petrol cars).
0 to 100km/h (as tested):
The VBox showed a best time of 3.45 seconds in launch mode, 3.6 seconds in normal mode and 4.0 seconds when driven in N-shift mode which mimics a twin-clutch gearbox.
Top speed claim is 260km/h. It’s been shown on video on a test track in South Korea at 265km/h indicated.
Emergency braking from 100km/h (as tested):
The VBox showed an emergency stopping distance of 36.4 metres (similar to other hot hatches).
For our test, the electric motors were in their highest regenerative setting or ‘one pedal’ driving mode (which can deliver up to 0.6g of deceleration without even touching the friction brakes).
The stopping distance we recorded on test is particularly impressive given the vehicle’s considerable 2230kg weight (485.7kg of which is the battery pack). For context, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is heavier than a Toyota HiLux.
The 400mm front discs (four piston calipers) and 360mm rear discs (single piston floating caliper) are larger than the combination on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s technically similar sibling, the Kia EV6 GT (which has 380mm discs up front and 360mm discs at the rear).
Good points:
You’re going to struggle to find any negative reviews on this car anywhere in the world. And that is genuinely rare.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N truly is a game-changer, a once-in-a-generation car that resets the benchmark for hot hatches and high-performance electric vehicles.
You might wonder why the Germans didn’t come up with a car like this. Well, they did.
The brains behind this vehicle is top level German engineer Albert Biermann, the former head of BMW M division who has overseen Hyundai’s performance vehicle development since 2015.
This is the finest work of his automotive career.
Aside from being extremely fast, extremely comfortable and extremely capable, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N also has a level of driver engagement never seen before in an electric car.
It is as fast as a Porsche 911 even in its most basic mode (a repeatable as-tested 0 to 100kmh time of 3.6 seconds).
Then there is a vast array of menus so drivers can personalise their experience, including a choice of fake engine sounds – inside and outside.
You can choose between the noise of a turbo hot hatch, a computer game, or a space ship.
Space ship mode even delivers a thunderous burst of sound when changing ‘gears’ in N Shift mode.
When not playing with all the toys, it’s a superbly comfortable daily driver – despite riding on low profile 21-inch wheels and (Pirelli P Zero) tyres.
This car proves hot hatch fans won’t be left behind in the shift to electric vehicles.
And it has just been crowned as the winner of the 2024 World Performance Car of the Year award.
If Porsche and other performance brands are smart (and they set their egos and prejudices to one side), they hopefully have already bought one of these and have started to pull it apart so they can make their own.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N could easily wear a BMW M badge or a Mercedes AMG badge and be entirely deserving of it.
I can’t remember the last time I have written so positively about a car.
Bad points:
Real-world driving range of 350km to 400km is ok when you’re not caning it, but in an ideal world it would have slightly longer legs.
No spare tyre, so you’re calling a tow truck if you get a flat. This is normal for electric cars but worth noting just in case you’re a potential buyer and you weren’t already aware of this.
The electric motors and battery pack have extra cooling for high-speed work, but the jury is out on how well the brakes and tyres would hold up on a track day, and how often you would need to recharge.
What the haters say:
Electric cars are slow and boring. I wouldn’t pay $111,000 for a Hyundai.
What the haters don’t understand:
This car proves electric cars do not have to be slow or boring. Indeed, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has more personality and grin factor than a Porsche Taycan.
As for the price: remove the badge and pretend for a moment this car wore a BMW M or Mercedes AMG logo and it would be considered a bargain.
Should you buy one?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is for early adopters of new technology who are prepared to take the leap into a new era – and don’t care if their peers don’t yet understand this car or appreciate its vast capabilities.
When it comes to cars, I’m normally risk averse and prefer to wait a moment before heading into the unknown.
But there is nothing to be scared of here. Indeed, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N could well be the best car most buyers have ever owned.
Future classic? Instant hit? No doubt in my mind.
The biggest challenge is going to be securing one of these.
Once the rev-heads figure this thing out, there will be a queue around the block.
Also consider:
Kia EV6 GT, Ford Mustang Mach E.
