Can a Hot Hatch EV Built For the Track Also Be a Good Everyday Driver?
When Clean Fleet Report had the opportunity in April 2024 to drive the all-new 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N on a race track, we jumped at the chance. Our experience is linked at the end of this story. But how does this beast of a track car do on the highway and in-town on a milk-and-butter run? Quick answer: Very well.
What Is N?
The Hyundai sub-brand of high-performance cars gets the N moniker that the company says is about “Having fun and bringing a youthful element and the wild side to Hyundai.”
Hyundai N vehicles are aimed at performance enthusiasts wanting a street-legal car they can take to the limit on and off the track. These vehicles get N exclusive badging, modified engines, custom gearboxes, aerodynamic upgrades and variable suspension systems. Current Hyundai models that have received the N performance treatment are Kona, Elantra and Ioniq 5. Note: Hyundai also has “N-Line” trims that are not to be confused with the N models, as N-Line vehicles primarily are an appearance upgrade from base models.
Taming a Beast
The all-wheel drive (AWD) 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5N is powered by dual motors that scoot it along 0-60 mph in a seat-pinning 3.4 seconds. We do not recommend or encourage trying this, but the top speed is set at 162 mph. To get these numbers it means horsepower and torque need to be prodigious—and they are!
IONIQ 5 N: Powering-up
- Dual Electric Motors
- 84 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer battery
- Base Horsepower: 601
- Base Torque: 545 pound-feet
- N Grin Boost Horsepower: 641
- N Grin Boost Torque: 568 lb.-ft.
- All Electric Range (AER): 221
What is N Grin Boost?
The Ioniq 5 N performance numbers above are impressive, but pressing the N Grin Boost button on the right side of the steering wheel adds 40 hp for up-to 10 seconds. Releasing the button for 10 seconds and then hitting it again is very much like the IndyCar system of Push To Pass. The only concern is the more N Grin Boost is used, the quicker the battery is depleted, so use it when absolutely needing a bit more power. Or just use it for the heck of it. Check this video for more info.
Silent Cruising
The Ioniq 5 N was designed to be a fully capable track car, but not surprisingly it is also a fully capable everyday driver that easily handles all daily needs while providing some fun.
In a week we put on 434 miles of Southern California freeway driving, taking us from Dana Point to Hollywood to Palm Springs and back. We treated the Ioniq 5 N with great respect by fighting off temptation to press the N Grin Boost button so we could get a read on the all-electric driving efficiency. We were impressed with the results—3.2 miles per kilowatt hour, which is what non-performance EVs get.
One feature we used at all times was the one pedal and i-Pedal driving. Make sure to have the Hyundai dealer sales associate demonstrate how using and setting this regenerative braking technique will increase your electric efficiency, driving range and driving enjoyment.
Highway and Around Town Cruising
The high performance capabilities of the Ioniq 5 N can be dialed back to the point it drives much like its more sedate sibling, the Ioniq 5 which we last tested in 2022. The N, which Hyundai calls an Everyday Sportscar, has drive modes of Eco, Normal, Sport, then three N settings (put these in your back pocket until needed when headed to a track day). The first three are self-explanatory when you will use them for efficient highway cruising, general in-town and highway driving or for the occasional taking twisties. We found Normal to be the best for nearly all of our driving, which was primarily on the highway. A quick blip into Sport made for some spirited on-ramp merging and passing big rigs and slow pokes on the 405, 5 and 15. If you know these SoCal freeways, and how they can become clogged, having a get-up-and-go mode is greatly appreciated.
Hyundai engineers had some fun creating software that simulates gear shifts and throttle sounds. One of the inherent benefits of driving an electric car is the quiet and smooth operation. However, many people wanted exhaust sounds and the feeling of transmission gear changes. If you are one of them, when taking an Ioniq 5 N for a test drive, go into the center touch screen and look for the N e-shift and N Active Sound+ settings. They make the IONIQ 5 N sound and feel oh-so like a gasoline-powered car.
For even more fun, press the Boost button and a familiar exhaust crackle is piped through the 10 interior speakers and two exterior speakers as the e-shift takes you through the “gears.” Of course, this is not actually happening as EVs have only one gear. Nonetheless, the faux performance sounds are a kick, especially when blipping the paddle shifters. Not that you should, but the electric motors can spin up to 21,000 rpm so the sounds, gear shifts and performance need to be experienced.
It is implied the Ioniq 5 N was designed for handling, which it does with amazing dexterity and crispness. Hyundai calls it a Corner Rascal. The battery placement below the floor makes for as low of a center of gravity possible, allowing the Ioniq 5 N’s 4,861 pounds to hug the ground even when pushing corners hard.
Stopping Prowess
Going fast is great, but slowing is what makes for a fast lap and safe street driving. Hyundai says the “Ioniq 5 N’s specially-tuned brakes are Hyundai’s most powerful braking system to date.”
Regenerative braking on an EV is for efficiency. When coasting or braking, kinetic energy is converted into electric energy and returned to the battery to add driving range. It also adds a level of joy and fun with the one-pedal driving technique. Hyundai reached a balance between the street and track by recalibrating the braking system so strong regeneration along with the mechanical brakes combine for straight and true stops with no brake fading.
Charging
The Ioniq 5 N has a 10.9 kW onboard charger and an 800-volt electric system. The 84.0 kWh lithium-ion battery has pre-heating. That adds a heat pump for battery conditioning to improve charging and performance as heating the battery to the optimal charging temperature. Ioniq 5 N owners living where it gets below 40 degrees consistently for months will rely on this feature to obtain a full charge.
The Ioniq 5 N can be trickle charged with a 120V common wall plug, but expect replenish times to be long and slow. The best bet for owners will be to install a Level 2 240V home charger that will take the battery from 10-to-100% in 7.2 hours. Rapid charging with Level 2 at 50 kW and 400 volts will take the battery 10-to-80% in about 70 minutes. DC fast charging at 250 kW and 800 volts, will take you 10-to-80% in 18 minutes.
For even more convenience, the Ioniq 5 has Vehicle-to-Load, or V2L, where power can flow out of the battery and charge e-bikes, tire pumps and outdoor equipment, run your office while traveling and even be a home electricity source during a power outage.
Unique Exterior Design
The 2025 Ioniq 5 N has minimal front and rear overhangs. The seamless clamshell hood closes to a slit where the rectangular projector LED lights peek out from the far edges of the curved nose.
The sides reveal crisp lines and an origami-like crease creating a triangle on the doors that begins at the A pillar and culminates at the 45-degree angled C pillar. The LED tail lights, which replicate the rectangular design of the headlights, have a horizontal light bar with a small square pattern running the full width of the hands-free lift gate.
The rear bumper, diffuser and air outlet, checkered flag reflectors, unique badging and high-mount brake light are all only found on the IONIQ 5 N.
The Ioniq 5 N comes in one trim and a choice of five exterior colors—Abyss Black, Soultronic Orange ($500 extra), Performance Blue Matte ($1,000 extra), Ecotronic Gray Matte ($1,000 extra) and Atlas White, which was our color.
Spacious and Sporty Interior
The completely flat floor provides spacious leg, shoulder and head room for all five occupants. The floating bridge console found on the base Ioniq 5, which is moveable and incorporates cup holders and charge ports, has been replaced with a fixed center console.
Covered in Alcantara with H-Tex, Hyundai’s name for synthetic leather, the lightweight front sport bucket seats are heated and ventilated with 6-way manual adjustments. The only interior color is black with blue accents.
The split 60:40 rear bench seat reclines and has 59.3 cubic feet of cargo space when folded down and 26.1 cubic feet with upright. There is no front trunk (frunk).
The low slung dash has dual 12.3-inch horizontal color screens, one for the configurable digital instruments and the other for the infotainment system. Entertainment was through the 8-speaker Bose premium audio system with AM/FM/SiriusXM, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with Bluetooth streaming and hands-free telephone. The Bluelink app provides access to vehicle systems including remote start and remote charging, and the Digital Key provides extra convenience and safety.
Safety
The Ioniq 5 N comes with an extensive list of standard safety features beginning with six airbags: front, side impact and side air curtain with rollover sensors. Hyundai’s SmartSense safety tech is robust with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including lane keeping assist, blind spot detection, forward collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic avoidance assist. Click the above link to learn about the Hyundai safety suite. Other features are hill start assist, Auto Hold, a surround and blind view monitor with parking sensors, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
Pricing
The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N comes in one trim level—all you choose is the color. The MSRP, including the $1,475 freight charge, is $67,675. The 2025 Ioniq 5 N is available in limited quantities at select dealers in select states, so contact your local Hyundai dealer for availability.
Observations: 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
Hyundai says the Ioniq 5 N is built on its 3 Pillars philosophy of Corner Rascal, Racetrack Capability and Everyday Sports Car. Click each to get a demonstration.
The Ioniq 5 N is an absolute blast to drive on a race track, equaling and bettering many gasoline-powered sports cars, but that isn’t what we are considering here. We are addressing if a blast-to-drive all-electric performance car can be tamed for chauffeuring the kids to soccer practices and making bread-and-milk runs. The clear answer is yes, but with the caveat that very few other drivers will be having as much fun with the mundane driving tasks.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos and video by John Faulkner and Hyundai.
Other Ioniq 5 reviews from Clean Fleet Report:
Flash Drive: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Road Test: 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Flash Drive: 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]
Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@ cleanfleetreport.com.
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