By Sagar Parikh & Shrawan Raja
Developed in Namyang and honed at the Nürburgring, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is one of the most extreme EVs yet from South Korea, carrying the brand’s performance ambitions and the country’s growing status in the UK electric car market.
We recently got up close with this EV in a global specification in its signature Performance Blue finish and, despite this being our fourth encounter, we were still left intrigued. Here are some interesting observations we made:
Design
The Ioniq 5 N is developed on the standard car’s sharp, pixel-dominated design with hardware and detailing focused on performance. It sits 20 mm lower, is 50 mm wider at the bottom, and 80 mm longer overall, giving it a more planted stance.
A redesigned front bumper features functional mesh, air curtains, and active air flaps to improve cooling, while a pronounced lip spoiler is another visual nod to its track intent.
Forged 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 275/35 R21 Pirelli P Zero tyres fill the arches. N-exclusive Luminous Orange accents run along the lower bumper and side skirts. At the rear, a large wing-type spoiler, orange-accented diffuser, and dedicated air outlets manage airflow, with a triangular N-only brake light integrated into the spoiler for a more distinctive look.
Interior
Inside, the Ioniq 5 N is all about driver engagement without compromising everyday usability. New N-specific bucket seats feature pronounced bolstering and a lowered mounting position, placing the driver closer to the car’s centre of gravity and improving support.
A redesigned centre console adds knee pads and shin supports to help the driver brace under heavy braking and cornering, while still accommodating everyday features such as storage, cupholders, wireless charging, and USB ports.
A newly developed N steering wheel integrates dedicated buttons for configurable drive modes and instant access to N Grin Boost, with steering-mounted paddles used to operate N e-shift and N Pedal.
The digital centre mirror expands the rearward field of view through a roof-mounted camera. Hyundai’s updated infotainment system introduces N-specific screens to control exclusive performance settings and data logging, supported by a head-up display with a bespoke N layout and a full suite of driver assistance systems.
Experience in the Ioniq 5 N
The Ioniq 5 N sits lower than its donor model, and the N-branded bucket seats are mounted lower than the standard front seats. I am six feet tall, and ingress was not difficult, though it requires more effort than simply sliding into the regular Ioniq 5.
The bucket seats feature reinforced side bolsters that hold me firmly in place during cornering. Lumbar support felt adequate, and under-thigh support was sufficient, though the tighter bolstering may feel restrictive for occupants with a bigger build.
The N-specific steering wheel offers a firm grip, and the ‘N’ and ‘NGB’ buttons provide tactile feedback. The fixed centre console replaces the movable unit seen in the standard model and includes knee pads and shin support. The sliding armrest felt supportive when resting my arm.
Both the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment screen run N-specific software. Screen brightness remained clear in bright light. Rear-seat access was easy, with ample headroom, generous knee room, and adequate under-thigh support, even with the seat reclined, though you do sit with your knees slightly up.
Specifications
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has a rear-biased dual-motor AWD setup and packs 478.1 kW (641 bhp) and 568 Nm (770 lb.-ft.) of torque. 0 to 62 mph comes in 3.4 seconds, and flat out, the car reaches 161 mph. An 84 kWh NMC battery pack that operates at 697 volts powers these motors and delivers a WLTP range of 448 kilometres (278 miles).
Chassis hardware is different from the standard Ioniq 5. Additional welding points, extended structural bonding, and a stiffer steering column reduce flex through the body shell. These are supported by a recalibrated rack-mounted power steering system and special tyres. An electronic limited-slip differential and closely linked stability systems handle torque distribution across both axles.
The Ioniq 5 N uses Hyundai’s largest brakes, combining 400 mm front discs with four-piston monobloc callipers and 360 mm rear discs. Unique regenerative braking delivers up to 0.6G of deceleration through the N Brake Regen system to minimise heat build-up in the friction brakes.
Thermal management for the battery and drivetrain is also upgraded, with pre-conditioning and selectable N Race modes designed to offer stable performance during sustained high-intensity driving, like when setting lap times.
Price
In the UK market, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N retails at GBP 65,100. Options such as the Performance Blue paint and one-piece panoramic roof worth GBP 700 and GBP 1,250, respectively, are featured in the car shown in this story.
