A unique kind of magic happens when a car surprises you, when you drop the accelerator and feel something raw, mechanical, and emotional connect straight to your gut. That feeling used to belong exclusively to combustion engines: the roar of the revs, the slight vibrations in the shifter, and the tactile rush of a perfectly timed upshift.
For many, the push toward electric vehicles compromises this experience. EVs feel sterile without gears, the rumble of an engine, and a blatant lack of character replaced with quiet efficiency and instant torque. That game is changing, with the IONIQ 5 N that will steal the spotlight at every Hyundai dealer nationwide.
The IONIQ 5 N doesn’t apologize for being electric. It celebrates it. In doing so, it bridges the gap between the thrills so many of us grew up chasing and the electric future that’s fast approaching. Hyundai’s N Division has spent years proving that passion and precision can coexist. With the IONIQ 5 N, they’ve pulled off something bold, an EV that feels every bit as alive, responsive, and downright fun as their best internal combustion cars, and maybe even more so.
When Electric Becomes Emotional
As with any EV, the first time I smashed the throttle in the IONIQ 5 N, I braced for silence and subtlety. Admittedly, I should have known better, given that the IONIQ 5 N has the coveted branding of Hyundai’s dedicated performance arm, the N Division. Silent is not how I’d describe the IONIQ 5 N.
Hyundai’s ingenuity shines in the performance-tuned SUV, which roars to life in an unimaginable way. The explosion of 545 lb-ft of instant torque launched the SUV with a jolt that pinned me to the seat, with a soundtrack that seemed to swell from its core. There’s nothing silent about the IONIQ 5 N’s heartbeat. The SUV’s mechanical growl is undeniable, evoking the slow rumble that has defined internal combustion engines for decades. Yet, unlike so many EVs, the IONIQ 5 N’s soundtrack isn’t manufactured as an afterthought.
The IONIQ 5 N’s N Active Sound+ system adds personality and character through three distinct sound modes: Ignition, Evolution, and Supersonic. Switching between sound profiles transforms the IONIQ 5 N’s character. The modes, much like selectable drive modes, aren’t static but constantly calibrated based on your input on the accelerator. The idea is to create an auditory experience that’s as dynamic and responsive as the IONIQ 5 N’s performance. After all, it doesn’t make sense for the engine to sound like a fighter jet when you’re stopped at a red light. Unlike a bland manufactured rumble, you’re in charge of the soundtrack that defines, enhances, and complements every drive.
Harnessing 641 Horses with a Grin
The 2025 IONIQ 5 N isn’t just quick. It’s absurdly powerful. To fully appreciate that power, I looked at its namesake, the 2025 IONIQ 5 that rolls off Hyundai’s production line with a 63 kWh battery and a single motor that produces 168 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It’s nothing to get excited about, which is why Hyundai offers its 84 kWh battery in single or dual motor configurations.
Yet, the IONIQ 5 N ups the ante in ways I never imagined. Its 84 kWh battery and dual motors are tuned for performance, offering up to 641 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque with the aptly named N Grin Boost engaged. The feature increases power output and torque for ten seconds, providing instant thrust from the dual motors. It leaves a grin on your face as the IONIQ 5 N launches to life, traveling from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.
Hyundai’s N Torque Distribution system constantly adjusts torque between the front and rear axles to provide pinpoint balance. You can choose between eleven adjustment levels, selecting the ideal torque distribution ratio for the situation. The calibrations are remarkable, with the system reading your intentions instantly and without hesitation. It feels organic in a way that most EVs don’t.
Precision By Design
Unlike so many, Hyundai’s performance division didn’t just slap big motors on an existing platform and skyrocket the IONIQ 5 N’s price tag. Instead, the 2025 IONIQ 5 N is an all-new design from the ground up, with its structure stiffened and every detail designed to enhance aesthetics, aerodynamics, and braking performance.
The result is steering that feels crisp and communicative, a body that stays composed through fast transitions, and handling that borders on addictive. It’s the perfect showcase of the N Division’s ingenuity as it introduces its first production vehicle with a fully electric all-wheel drivetrain and its first-ever high-performance mass-produced EV.
Everything on the IONIC 5 N has a purpose. The gloss-black front bumper features functional mesh and air curtains, along with three active air flaps that enhance cooling performance and aerodynamics. The rear spoiler, diffuser, and air outlet optimize airflow, with the IONIQ 5 N’s lower and wider stance creating a streamlined silhouette that begs for attention wherever the road leads, hopefully to a winding back road with plenty of switchbacks.
The Return of the Shift
My favorite feature, and the one that will likely sell many others, is N e-Shift. For so long, driving an electric vehicle meant bidding a fond farewell to your physical connection with the engine through the transmission. Manual transmissions prioritize that connection, while automatic transmissions offer more convenience and require minimal input via paddle shifters.
Hyundai blazes a new trail with the IONIQ 5 N and its N e-Shift, which is a simulated eight-speed dual-clutch transmission system. Imagine the thrilling performance of an N-branded Hyundai with an internal combustion engine. Now, electrify it.
The N e-Shift system controls the motor’s power and torque output, letting you shift through virtual gears as it modulates the torque. With simulated engine braking via Hyundai’s revolutionary regenerative braking system, the N e-Shift sets the stage for an interactive and emotional driving experience. Rather than driving mindlessly and unengaged, you start planning corners and anticipating shifts. You’re an active participant, reaping the rewards of the tactical satisfaction you crave behind the wheel.
Embodying the N Philosophy
What I love and appreciate most about the IONIQ 5 N is that it proudly wears the facade of an electric vehicle. It refuses to apologize for its electric heartbeat because it’s in on the secret, the surprise that leaves drivers like me stunned and genuinely impressed. As an enthusiast, I chase feelings in the driver’s seat. I enjoy that perfect heel-toe choreography or that weightless moment mid-corner before accelerating out of the turn. It’s the connection between the car and driver that can’t be quantified, the thrill of hearing the engine rumble to life, and the satisfaction of leaving the ordinary in the dust for an extraordinary experience ahead.
The IONIQ 5 N proves that an electric vehicle can deliver this emotional, interactive experience. It perfectly embodies Hyundai’s three pillars of performance: Corner Rascal, Everyday Sportscar, and Racetrack Capability. After all, what other performance-tuned EV alerts you to turn on N Mode for a more thrilling and engaging ride as you approach the twisties? If you’re still wondering whether an electric SUV can stir the senses, Hyundai has the answer. The IONIQ 5 N doesn’t whisper its answer. It screams it, motors howling and your pulse racing like you never expected.
