2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Review: A Racing Simulator Made for the Streets

      Andrew P. Collins

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      It's easy to get excited about the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N during a quick drive on backroads or around a racetrack. It's astonishingly fast and offers a truly distinctive driving experience. However, I must confess that I couldn't completely overlook the quirky aspects of the fake manual shifting and the video-game-like interface. I see why many people adore this car, but I wasn't disappointed when my week-long test drive came to an end.

      The Basics

      With a curb weight of 4,861 pounds, the Ioniq 5 N is hefty—but it also boasts an impressive output of 601 horsepower that can surge to 641 hp with the 10-second N Grin Boost button. The torque starts at 545 lb-ft and increases to 568 when that button is activated. Hyundai claims the Ioniq 5 N can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 3.25 seconds, but MotorTrend recorded an even more astonishing 2.8-second time and completed the quarter-mile in 11 seconds flat. That’s astounding for a mass-produced vehicle capable of comfortably carrying four passengers and a dog—it's truly remarkable.

      The specifications, grip, responsiveness, and real-time customization of the 5 N have been thoroughly discussed across various platforms, including podcasts and reviews here on The Drive. It has an appealing design and ample cargo space due to its crossover dimensions, despite resembling an '80s rally car. Four adults can fit easily along with luggage, and the $70,000 price tag is justified as well. A BMW X3 M50 costs about the same, but while it may feel more luxurious, the Hyundai is significantly faster—at least until its battery runs out, which can happen rather quickly. Hyundai estimates a maximum range of 221 miles for this vehicle; you should expect less if you drive it as energetically as it encourages.

      Former The Drive staff writer Chris Rosales (now at Motor1) identified the limited driving range as the 5 N’s “one major flaw,” and he’s right; it does make long adventures a bit less spontaneous. In his area, at the north end of Angeles Crest Highway in California, one could easily accumulate 200 miles exploring canyons. It's a similar situation in rural New York, where I enjoy my leisurely drives—I can easily put 100 miles on a car just running weekend errands.

      When you do require a charge, the car is said to reach 80% from 10% in 18 minutes if you have access to a 350 kW DC fast charger. Using a 50 kW DC charger should take approximately one hour and 10 minutes. Charging from 10% to full on a 240-volt outlet at 10.9 kW would take 7 hours and 20 minutes—this isn't too bad if you can simply plug it in overnight.

      Driving the Ioniq 5 N

      The cockpit design is neat without being overly minimalist, and the sporty seats are firm and supportive. You can drive it almost silently, but the Ioniq 5 N is far from laid-back. It yearns to be driven aggressively. It might be too rigid for practicality in some areas; bumpy roads felt particularly harsh to me, which is a common issue in the Hudson Valley.

      I'm not suggesting the car needs to be softer; in fact, the ride aligns well with the vehicle's character and intentions. While it punishes you over potholes, it rewards you with a good connection to the road.

      Perhaps the 5 N’s most impressive feature is its customizability. As our former reviews editor Chris Tsui noted after his drive at Laguna Seca: “Eleven driver-selectable, fully variable levels of front-rear torque output mean Ioniq 5 N can go from fully FWD to fully RWD (70 rear, 30 front is the default), while an electronic limited-slip differential and ‘N Drift Optimizer’ function can imitate a clutch-kick to facilitate drift."

      I was initially amazed by this concept, and after driving it for an extended period on public roads, I have some notable observations. If you're a car enthusiast, you could easily spend hours on the same loop experimenting with different power distributions. You can still enjoy the vehicle at socially acceptable speeds. Admittedly, I struggled to find a safe place to drift. This leads to another important aspect of driving this car: it demands respect. A slight press on the accelerator can catapult you into the next zip code.

      An EV that seems to be idling? It’s more of an impressive imitation. The accompanying images showcase how deeply you can delve into the car’s customization options. If you enjoy tinkering with settings, this vehicle will surely captivate you.

      However, I can confirm that, unlike with some modern performance cars