First Look Review: The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N seems like a practical hot hatch

Update: ‘Driving Impressions’ section revised with spec table and battery details.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the South Korean automaker’s most extreme electric car and also one of the most advanced EVs from a mainstream automaker to date. Before hitting U.S. dealers in March 2024, it is celebrating its national debut at the 2023 LA Auto Show, and I’m getting an early preview of the new electric performance car there:

Design

Initially introduced as a crossover, the Ioniq 5 largely resembled a hatch on stilts, and the Ioniq 5 N takes this a step further by fully embracing a hatchback appearance. It’s lower, wider, and completely sheds any crossover traits, including the wheel arch cladding found on the regular model.

I think the Ioniq 5 N needs no introduction when it arrives, thanks to its exclusive details all around. At the front, the black brand emblem on the clamshell hood, the N logo in the closed panel between the headlamps, and the orangish red accent in the V-shaped surface.

Even more defining than these features, in my view, are the partly gloss black bumper, the gloss black lower grille with active air flaps, vertical side air inlets, and a lip spoiler adorned with a full-width Luminous Orange stripe, all of which endow the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N with a distinct and unmistakable identity.

The bright stripe continues on the side skirts. The N-branded exclusive forged 21-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 275/35R21 Pirelli P-Zero tires, the red brake calipers along with the N logo on the front unit, and the N-branded rocker panel are also among the styling details here. When I first saw the EV in pictures, it appeared to have functional vents built into the front of the rear wheel arches. When I checked out this part at the 2023 LA Auto Show, I found that to be true.

At the back, the 2025 Ioniq 5 N is instantly recognizable, primarily due to its unique wing-type spoiler and the center high-mounted stop lamp, clearly marking it as the high-performance variant. Additional exclusive features include vertical air outlets, an accented diffuser, the N logo and black brand emblem on the tailgate, along with accents on the V-shaped surface and the diffuser. My personal favorite design touch is the checkered-flag-reflecting graphics on the distinctive black bumper cover.

As an everyday sportscar, the 2025 Ioniq 5 N needs to be quite practical, too. I appreciate the fact it has a washer and wiper to keep its back glass clean. This feature has been a glaring omission on the regular Ioniq 5, and I think Hyundai will fix that problem with its MY2025 update in 2024. I think customers might not be able to fully utilize the EV’s generous cargo area (expected to be 27.2 cu. ft.) because of its unusual shape.

Interior

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has a sportier interior with several unique features. I like its new steering wheel, which, unlike that of its donor model, isn’t an oddly designed two-spoke unit but a conventional three-spoke unit.

The 2025 Ioniq 5 N sits lower than its donor model, and it has N-branded bucket seats installed about 0.79 in. lower than the regular front seats in the Ioniq 5. I’m six feet tall, and when I entered the low-riding EV to sit in its driver seat, I felt that ingress was not compromised, though it isn’t as easy as the regular model to just slide into the seat and buckle up.

The reinforced side bolsters of the bucket seat are designed to keep drivers secure during hard cornering. Understandably, individuals with a larger build may find it less comfortable. I felt that lumbar support was adequate, and so was the under-thigh support.

The N-branded unique steering wheel of the 2025 Ioniq 5 N was firm to grip and the N buttons on it gave me a tactile feedback. The high-performance EV has a fixed center console with knee pads and shin support, not the movable center console of its donor model. However, the armrest of this center console does have a sliding function, and when I rested my arm on it, it felt comfortable and convenient.

Upon using the 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the 2025 Ioniq 5 N, I noticed they operate on modified software that provides an array of additional details pertinent to performance, handling, and the status of various components, such as motor and battery pack temperatures. I think these hoodless displays are bright enough to easily show readings under bright sunlight, something customers piloting the 2025 Ioniq 5 N on a race track in the summer would truly appreciate.

Entering the rear of the cabin was easy for me. I reclined the seat to my most comfortable position and felt that I had ample headroom. Like the regular version, knee room was in abundance and under-thigh support was adequate. While I won’t recommend it, I think three adults would find it reasonably comfortable in the back of the 2025 Ioniq 5 N even over longer journeys.

Driving impressions

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has substantial powertrain, steering, chassis, aerodynamic, and other modifications to offer a truly dynamic driving experience. Going by early reviews, it’s such a phenomenal high-performance car and that calling it a hot hatch is an understatement.

When Hyundai introduced the 2025 Ioniq 5 N, I was more excited about its ability to simulate gearshifts of a manual transmission, an 8-speed dual-clutch unit to be more specific. Typically EVs feel soulless because of uninterrupted linear acceleration, but not this one.

The 2025 Ioniq 5 N can, should the driver choose to, produce an ICE car-like lag with simulated gearshifts and also give audio cues to the driver of the gearshifts by simultaneously playing an ICE sound through the speakers. In addition to making the driver feel more engaged and in control, it helps them have a much greater sense of speed.

Aspect	Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Specification (Expected)
Length	4,715 mm (185.6 in.)
Width	1,940 mm (76.4 in.)
Height	1,585 mm (62.4 in.)
Wheelbase	3,000 mm (118.1 in.)
Wheels	21-inch forged aluminum
Tires	Pirelli P-Zero 275/35R21
Braking System	Front: 400-mm discs with 4-piston calipers Rear: 360-mm with 1-piston calipers
Drivetrain Layout	AWD
No. of Motors	Two
Front Motor Power	166 kW (223 hp)
Front Motor Torque	350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.)
Rear Motor Power	282 kW (378 hp)
Rear Motor Torque	390 Nm (288 lb.-ft.)
System Power (w/o boost)	448 kW (601 hp)/478 kW (641 hp)
System Torque (w/o boost)	740 Nm (546 lb.-ft.)/770 Nm (568 lb.-ft.)
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Acceleration Time	3.4 seconds
Top Speed	260 km/h (162 mph)
Expected Range (as per EPA method)	~250 miles (unofficial)

Even though the 2025 Ioniq 5 N is quite heavy, it doesn’t make the driver feel that weight during the drive. It’s quite agile for a vehicle that’s so heavy, and its dual-motor powertrain packs plenty of power (601 hp or 641 hp with boost) to make it feel effortlessly quick. Its suspension is tuned to be firm, but not too taut, as it’s supposed to be an everyday sports car. Compared to Kia’s EV6 GT, the 2025 Ioniq 5 N is more track-focused and thus more appealing for driving enthusiasts.

Battery

During the Ioniq 5 N Tech Day in Seoul on September 14, 2023, Hyundai N representatives detailed advancements in battery technology. The standard Ioniq 5 is equipped with a third-generation battery pack boasting an energy density of approximately 618 wH/L. However, the Ioniq 5 N introduces a fourth-generation battery with a heightened energy density of 670 wH/L. This represents an 8.4 percent improvement. The increase can be attributed to the application of new high-capacity materials and optimization of battery cell design and process.

Price

I expect the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s prices to start at approximately USD 65,000.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a powerful, dynamic, and truly capable driving machine, which is rarely ever said about an EV, let alone one with the H logo. I’d say this can be a beginner’s Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, one that doesn’t burn a big hole in their pocket, relatively speaking.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N FAQs

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