Ioniq 5 N Shatters EV Image

YARMOUTH PORT, Mass. – The new 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N shattered everything I had experienced when it came to a battery-electric vehicle, including the virtually silent EV sound barrier.

In addition to the thorough dynamic reengineering Hyundai’s development engineers achieved, they added a comprehensive N Active Sound+ element bringing “the sensory input of hearing to sight and tactile feel” for the driver.

And it works! The high-performance SUV (Hyundai labels the Ioniq 5 family as such) sounded just like a high-performance sports car going through the gears and then sounds like such a car as you cruise the highway. Step on the accelerator and the sound grows as it would if there was a high-revving four-cylinder engine under the hood instead of an electric motor.

The sound promises a performance vehicle and the Ionig 5 N fits this definition with a vengeance.

The most powerful Hyundai in history

Like every all-wheel-drive (AWD) Ioniq 5, the N features electric motors front and rear. Spinning at more than 21,000 RPMs, the permanent magnetic synchronous motors benefit from a new 84 kWh battery, two-stage inverter to help achieve the 601 horsepower – 641 in 10-second bursts when the N Grin Boost steering-wheel button is engaged.

The non-N Ioniq 5 AWD, in the words of Car and Driver, “catapulted” from 0-60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. Well, in the enthusiast publication’s testing, the Ioniq 5 N shattered this result, going the same distance in 3.0 seconds! According to the Korean automaker, this is the fastest street-legal vehicle it has ever produced.

Exhilarating does not do the N’s acceleration justice. It feels amazing. I tried the N Grin Boost during a brief run on I-495 and it was nothing short of startling. EVs generally are quick, producing all of their torque immediately (at 0 RPM) which means in N Grin Boost 568 pounds-feet (545 in standard mode) is there NOW!

The Ioniq 5 N goes about its rapid business in a most efficient manner. The five-passenger vehicle is rated at 221 miles of range but in my normal, un-boosted driving, I saw up to 285 miles of range on the dash gauge when charged to 100 percent. I do not believe I would get this range (never pushed it to the limit, opting to plug in every night to my Autel home charger), but during four days of around-town motoring, the N was returning 3.2 miles per kWh which can translate into more than 250 miles of range.

When a bit of open road and challenging curves appeared, I hit the accelerator pedal which cut into that figure, but was loads of fun.

A platform designed to complement the powertrain

The Ioniq 5 N is much more than a pumped-up Ioniq 5.

“IONIQ 5 N was developed to take driving fun to a new level by utilizing the latest technologies available,” said Till Wartenberg, vice president and head of N Brand and Motorsport at Hyundai Motor Company. “Starting with IONIQ 5 N, N brand aims to deliver its signature fun driving experience regardless of petrol, electric or hydrogen. To accomplish this, we’ve closely monitored the voices of our N fans in order to fine-tune our first all-electric N with the goal of electrifying the driving passion of our most demanding N-thusiasts.”

The engineers set about a vehicle capable of being run a race course as well as an everyday sports car, engineering everything from the brake system to the thermodynamics (engine and battery-temperature control becomes significant during competition).

Reinforcement of the body structure and components were built into the design to facilitate the potential demands of competitive driving as well as hard-charging consumer motorists.

Software modifications allowed the engineers to maximize handling characteristics for all types of driving. The chassis hardware mimics that of the non-N Ioniq 5 with MacPherson-types struts and gas shock absorbers up front and an independent multi-link with gas shocks in the rear.

The 21-inch forged-alloy wheels wear Pirelli P ZERO 275/35R21 high-performance tires.

The tires and relatively stiff suspension, even when in Normal or Eco driving modes (N and custom modes also available), mean the Ioniq 5 N’s ride is both noisier (tire/road noise, not simply the N Active Sound+ system) and stiffer than the non-N version. The tradeoff for the rougher ride is razor-sharp handling, regardless of the venue, and a whole lot of fun.

Unique braking system

The engineers developed the N-tuned braking system which combines the regenerative braking available in an EV with an aggressive friction system. The hydraulic system features 15.75-inch front rotors with four-piston monobloc calipers and 14.2-inch rear rotors.

According to Hyundai, “These brakes are constructed with new lightweight materials and dedicated airflow ducting for improved cooling efficiency. In addition, the regenerative braking system typically used for enhanced efficiency has been recalibrated with IONIQ 5 N to enhance braking performance. It serves as the primary source of braking force, while the mechanical brakes are used to supplement additional braking force when required, ensuring enhanced endurance on the track and exceptional power regeneration.”

To address the harsh braking demands of a tight race course, Hyundai designed N Brake Regen, an N-specific regenerative braking system developed specifically for IONIQ 5 N. It offers up to a maximum of 0.6 g of deceleration force through N Brake Regen alone and remains engaged under ABS activation scenarios with a maximum of 0.2 g.

The risk of brake fade due to vehicle weight is minimized by maximizing the regenerative braking power strategy, resulting in lower brake force and wear applied to the friction-based mechanical brakes.

The seamless blending between the N Brake Regen and hydraulic brakes creates a smooth transition, imperceptible to the driver. Moreover, performance-oriented left-foot braking allows the brake and accelerator pedal to be applied simultaneously on the track.

Full suite of ADAS

As the top member of the Ioniq 5 family the N version comes with a. comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including blind-spot collision-avoidance assist; surround view monitor; blind-spot view monitor; rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist; parking distance warning – forward/side/reverse; parking collision-avoidance assist – reverse; forward collision-avoidance assist with car/pedestrian/cyclist; junction turning/crossing; lane change oncoming; lane change side detection, and evasive steering assist; lane keeping assist; lane following assist; steering wheel haptic feedback; intelligent speed limit assist; driver attention warning; safe exit assist; navigation-based smart cruise control with curve control; highway driving assist 2, and high beam assist.

Interior performance specific

Hyundai filled the interior with the same modern technology and amenities as in the Limited version of the Ioniq 5. This means digital automatic two-zone climate control; 12.3-inch color LCD touchscreen-centric infotainment system with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Bose Premium audio system; USB-C ports throughout and a wireless mobile-device charging pad.

Unique to the N version are deep bucket front seats with aggressive side bolstering and a forward console designed to brace a driver’s knee and ankle when the motoring gets really intense. These seats, which are heated and ventilated (but NOT power adjustable) are set lower in the cockpit to help with weight distribution.

Incredible performance value

The price of admission into the exciting world of Ioniq 5 N performance is $66,200 plus $1,475 for a total of $68,675. There is nothing like this at this price, gas, electric or hybrid, offered to the American public.

And it all comes in a five-person package with loads of room under its power-rear liftgate which means this is a vehicle which can transport the family during the week, then take the motoring enthusiast to the track for some fun on the weekends. The Ioniq 5 N shatters a lot of pre-conceived notions about what an EV is.

Next week, TBR Drives a variety of vehicles during the annual International Motor Press Association Spring Brake 2025.

Yes, sign me up!