The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Has been a long time coming. The Korean automaker has made good headway with the Ioniq 5, just as Kia has with its sibling, the EV6. Now, it’s ready to reveal the performance model that aims to turn things up to eleven with blistering performance and lots of features that start with N. This is a first-look at the U.S. version of the Ioniq 5 N now that Hyundai has dished the details.
[Ed Note: This is basically the U.S. debut for the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which we’d heard about before. I admittedly forgot about that, otherwise I probably wouldn’t have assigned this blog. In any case: There is a bit of news: it’s coming to the U.S. in March of 2024. -DT].
Fundamentally, it’s all about power. The Ioniq 5 N boasts 641 horsepower with its “N Grin Boost” engaged, and no, we’re not making that up. They actually called the feature that; we can only assume until now, nobody had really thought about it or seen it written down. In any case, it delivers extra power for a ten-second interval to maximize acceleration when needed. The power is delivered by twin electric motors that spin at up to 21,000 RPM, delivering drive to all four wheels. Outside of Grin Boost, the Ioniq 5 N offers 601 hp, a healthy bump over the 320 horsepower of the regular AWD model.
Far from just being a hero at the stop-light drags, Hyundai has genuinely worked to make the Ioniq 5 N work in real performance contexts. It’s been designed specifically to manage heat buildup in track situations, with its improved battery and motor cooling intended to keep it running faster for longer.
In the case of the battery, this has been achieved by minimizing the distance between the cells and cooling channels, and using gap fillers with greater thermal conductivity. The battery and motor each get independent radiators to help shed as much heat as possible during track use. The Ioniq 5 N can also be set up to suit different situations. ‘Drag’ mode is used for when you want full power for a single short burst, while ‘Track’ mode is designed to maintain temperatures at a safe level over multiple laps on a circuit.
This is further expanded upon in the N Race feature. Drivers can choose ‘Endurance’ mode, which maximizes range by limiting power, helping slow the buildup of heat in the motors and battery. ‘Sprint’ mode, on the other hand, provides full power for short bursts, but you likely won’t get as many laps out before running out of juice.
As an EV, it’s able to take advantage of regenerative braking on track. The N Brake Regen regime promises up to 0.6 g of deceleration from regen alone, with hefty brakes on hand to help out when that’s not enough. The Ioniq 5 N gets 15.75 inch rotors up front with hefty four-piston calipers, with 14.2-inch rotors at the rear. Hyundai tuned the braking system to suit performance drivers and demanding environments like the Nürburgring. To that end, it’s set up to allow simultaneous application of the brake and accelerator pedals when using left-foot braking techniques in a track setting.
Handling being important, too, Hyundai equipped the sporting SUV with a specially-tuned power steering system. It’s got a quicker ratio for snappier turn-in, along with improved torque feedback for better feel. The chassis also gets 42 additional welding points over the basic Ioniq 5, along with 6.9 feet of additional structural adhesive—both contributing to improved rigidity. It’s a sign Hyundai is serious about what it’s doing; Honda famously took a similar tack when it built the legendary Integra Type-R.
Fans of the sideways will rejoice at the N Drift Optimizer. It’s intended to help the driver maintain a certain drift angle by having the computers intervene. It’s sure to make even the less-experienced look heroic in a slide if properly employed. Even more excitingly, Hyundai has created a “Torque Kick” feature for initiating drifts at will. By pulling both steering paddles, torque delivery at the rear can temporarily be cut. Release the paddles, and power at the back slams back on, helping initiate a slide just like a clutch kick in a manual, rear-wheel-drive car.
In a decision sure to ruffle some feathers, Hyundai has included the N e-Shift feature for those that wish to simulate the operation of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission used in its conventionally-powered N cars. Paired with the N Active Sound + function, it’s designed to create a “more engaging and exciting sensory experience for the driver.” Various modes are available, with “Ignition” simulating a 4-cylinder ICE, and “Supersonic” inspired by twin-engine fighter jets. “Evolution” is an altogether different sound inspired by Hyundai’s RN22e prototype car, which varies in intensity with cornering G-forces. Hyundai developed the feature after noting the lack of engagement and feedback from many performance EVs on the market. Regardless, some will still shake their heads at the notion of fake sounds and fake gears.
Overall, Hyundai looks to be continuing its run of fine form when it comes to the N cars. The Ioniq 5 N may be the first EV entry, and it’s clear that the Korean automaker has seen fit to give it as much of the excitement and panache as is available in its combustion-engined range. If Hyundai has brought those same solid fundamentals to its first EV performance model, it should be a hoot to wheel one in anger.
I see they N Biggened the power output in a very cromulent way.
I’ll see myself out.
I am glad that it’s form factor and ‘SUV’ designation is bothering people.
In a world where a ‘coupe’ is a four door sedan with slightly less rear headroom, I care little that the term SUV has become equally meaningless.
I didn’t think it possible to make that specific model look good (I love the car but have been puzzled by its design ever since it was released), but this thing has been made to almost look not bad. Kudos to whoever had to haul the original design through black paint land in order to make it taste decently.
I liked the looks. It seems like something out of an 80’s or 90’s sci-fi movie. I was interested in buying one, but when they came out it was a tough time to buy. Dealerships were obviously marking these up and many wouldn’t even do test drives. My enthusiasm for the car cooled quickly.
Cars from 80’s or 90’s sci-fi movies:
Damn, you have a point. I now understand why I dislike the design so much 😀
In the meantime, real cars from the 80’s:
Hyundai should’ve looked there. Plenty of timeless designs.
Once again, a really well thought out and seemingly well executed N model. Hyundai doesn’t just phone it in with a few tweaks and graphics package. Just like other N models (and even my N Line Sonata) they actually deliver with performance enhancements and visual goodness. They could have easily just produced an EV6 GT clone but they didn’t.
These cars are distinctive. Adding 300 hp should make it even more so. Too bad it can’t tow since those track mods would make for a better EV tow rig. If I could afford it, I’d be interested.
Range? Cost?
Range will likely be similar to the EV6 GT, so 220ish miles. As of right now unless you have infinite money to spend EVs are still more or less either/or when it comes to range and performance. Reading the tea leaves makes me think it will likely start in the low 60s…again, roughly the same as the EV6 GT.
It’s a bit hard to guess. It’s possible some of the extra development time on the Hyundai side went to reducing the range penalty from the extra power, and it does have a bit larger battery. But it’s also even more power and presumably at least as big of wheels as the EV6 GT. Overall Ioniq aero also seems to be a bit worse than the EV6, too. I’d say could be anywhere from 200 to 260.
I really like Hyundai’s blocky, pixelated lights today, but It strikes me as something that’s not going to age well.
Perhaps, but unless everyone else copies them, they will be recognizable, which is what they want.
I think they will age just fine. The trend I wish that would come to a screeching halt is the full line across the hood / grill area these days. I can stomach a full light across the rear on most designs, just looks stupid and will be a dating feature for sure when most makes move away from it in the next few years.
I still feel like it’s a lost opportunity to bring back box flares for it to cosplay as a group B Delta Integrale.
Oof that would look fantastic
I wanna see the N with a livery from the Delta. I’d seen a regular Ioniq5 with a wrap before, but maybe the N will look even better.
I couldn’t persuade any free online AI image editor to apply the Martini Racing livery, but wow, it looks pretty good as a racecar with a spoiler!
https://autopian-images.neocities.org/ioniq-5n-racecar-ai.png
Not Mentioned: N Active Sound mode “ShredN”. For an extra 500 dollars, your Hyundai Ioniq 5 will play Metallica’s critical acclaimed masterpiece “Ride the Lightning” from start to finish.
Ok, I have seen a regular Ioniq5 in my neighbourhood. That this is as much an SUV as I am a willowy Spaniard. It’s a large hatchback. I think my Sonata has more ground clearance.
And yes, I think this one looks spot on. Now to wait for that sweet, sweet Hyundai depreciation….
It’ll be Hyundai/EV combo breaker depreciation too. These things will be available in the high 30s/low 40s by mid 2025. Shit my Kona N is a year and a half old and it’s already lost 5 figures in value, and if I was to trade it in a dealership would pay me roughly FIFTEEN THOUSAND less than I paid in 2022.
It pains me to think about how many Hyundai/Kia/Genesis owners must be underwater on their loans. Unless you’ve got about $10,000 to put down do NOT buy a Korean car new. Ever. Let some other sucker eat the catastrophic depreciation then pick it up for pennies on the dollar when they panic and get out of it.
N Grin Boost
N Race feature
N e-Shift
N Active Sound + function
N Brake Regen
N Steering feel boost
N Seatbelt Pre-Tensioning
N Infotainment
N Plus
N Max
N Man
N
They used the same guy who named all of Batman’s gear. Batphone, batmobile, batarang, batcycle, batcave, batundies, etc.
Stop your N Grinnin’ and drop your N Linen!
Ok let’s ignore all the silly fighter jet sounds and fake shifts for a moment. This is really just a big hatchback with a ton of power, stupid large brakes, and wicked cyberpunk looks. I’m struggling to find something not to like.
Weight is important. Please include weight when writing about new models. Especially EVs.
It’s
Not
An
S
U
V
But for regulatory reasons, it is.
I think a lot of people are unaware how big they are; the styling has done an extremely good job of hiding/obfuscating its size. People think it’s the size of a Golf, when it’s really the size of a XC60 or X3
Yeah. The EV6 is HUGE when you take into account how cramped it can feel up front.
I’ve stood next to one in person chatting with the owner.
They’re not much larger than a current Golf.
Bologna. Ioniq is 14″ longer, 4″ wider, and 6″ taller. It’s got twice the max cargo capacity as the Golf.
Still, we should run like it is an SUV!
What “regulatory reasons”?
That makes some sense for certain manufacturers – such as when we were talking about the PT Cruiser, which was a tall hatchback on the Neon platform, being classified as a “Light Duty Truck” in order to bring CAFE numbers down so they could sell more Rams.
But where’s the reason for Hyundai to classify an Ioniq5 as a “Light Duty Truck” – as Hyundai doesn’t sell any gas-guzzling big trucks that they need to offset.
It sounds interesting but as long as I have to talk to a Hyundai dealer it’s a hard no.
Yeah, I’d love an Ioniq, but the fact you’ve got to deal with Hyundai dealers and the fact it’s a Hyundai has me scared off.
Munro has a video that explains how Hyundai/Kia disconnects the front motor when coasting to avoid drag from the permanent magnet motor.
Tesla, to my knowledge, uses a induction motor up front to avoid this drag.
Hyundai/Kia appears to be adding complexity where non is required.
Good thing it is a free market.
Tesla uses permanent magnet motors in all their cars now. Previous gen S/X had permanent magnet up front and induction in the rear. S/X before that had induction front/rear. Can’t really “coast” in these cars.
Model 3 has also used a combo, at some time. Maybe they are using as physical disconnect now as well.
One of the things I was lookig forward to in my EV future, was less components to go wrong/wear out. Maybe i am just a fool.
” Various modes are available, with “Ignition” simulating a 4-cylinder ICE, and “Supersonic” inspired by twin-engine fighter jets. …
I think bull elephant in musth mode would be very entertaining.
Does it also require you hand crank it to start or take a few minutes to warm up? you know, as long we’re bringing back other car technology that we’ve long moved beyond since last century
I dunno, I’m not seeing many toggle switches or levers in that cabin.
I saw this and wondered if we were finally going to start getting some driving impressions of it but alas. Like most I think the fake shifts and fake engine sounds are incredibly stupid but I’ll be interested to see if the N folks manage to bake some engagement into this. We shall see…plus it’ll be worth like 40k a year or two after it’s launched and at that point it may become intriguing.
I’ve also been hoping to hear about the new X1 M35i but weirdly enough BMW got them on dealer lots before they let any journalists drive them. It makes me wonder if they know it’s a bit of a half baked product and want people to buy them before reviews get out…
For those wondering what’s new about this vs. what was announced before, this is considered the North American debut, even if there isn’t much different from the global version. And now with more actual PR photos and an on-sale date.
Yep, coinciding with the LA Auto Show debut.
It’s not an SUV. It’s a crossover or enlarged 5 door hatchback. Fight me.
This would have been great if it were Golf sized but it’s a chonky Tiguan size
It’s husky Lancia Delta from the future
Did you drive the car or is this a thinly disguised ad? This car was announced along with all this info in July…
I thought this was going to be a review… not trying to be funny but we sort of knew all this like a month ago
Does N Grin Boost work similar to Power Boost in Formula E racers?