2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

While the price of the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is unknown at this stage, it'll probably be a little pricier than the Kia EV6 GT that will cost $61,600, so expect a starting MSRP of $63,000 or so in the USA.

As mentioned, rivals will include the Kia as well as the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT. The Ford begins at just under $60k or about $65k with the Performance Edition package that puts out 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque.

Few cars blur the lines between crossover and hatchback more than the Ioniq 5, which is defined as the former but actually has the proportions of a spacious hatch. That's no bad thing since a hatchback-style body more naturally lends itself to a sporty design than a crossover, and besides, the standard Ioniq 5 is already one of the most unique designs on the road.

For the exterior of the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N crossover, we expect all the usual N flourishes like larger wheels, red detailing, and a large spoiler at the back. The square daytime running lights of the standard Ioniq 5 should remain, as we've seen in a teaser of the car when it underwent winter testing.

Although the exterior colors of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N aren't known just yet, we'd be surprised if the N division's signature Performance Blue isn't on the menu. Other options should include Ceramic White and Phantom Black, as found on the Elantra N.

The dimensions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N should be very close to those of the standard Ioniq 5. The latter has a length of 182.5 inches, a width of 74.4 inches, a height of 63 inches, and a wheelbase of 118.1 inches. It's likely that the sporty N will have reduced ground clearance.

As far as curb weight goes, the heaviest Ioniq 5 currently comes in at over 4,600 pounds, so the 2024 Ioniq 5 N is unlikely to be any lighter than this.

There are many exciting aspects to unpack here, as Hyundai seems to have gone the extra mile to ensure that its first N-badged EV lives up to the performance division's fine reputation for building engaging cars.

Like other all-wheel-drive Ioniq 5s, the N will have dual electric motors and be based on the E-GMP platform, but both the motors and platform will be optimized for this application. The automaker has used what it's learned from the i20 N WRC Rally 1 car for the tuning of the Ioniq 5 N, and that can only be a good thing.

A specially tuned electronic limited-slip differential will help drivers keep the car under control during high-speed driving, while N Torque Distribution adjusts the torque between the front and rear wheels as required. One of the car's greatest party tricks will be its N Drift Optimizer, which works with other systems to elicit controlled power slides at will.

Previous reports suggest that the car will make around 600 horsepower, and we expect at least as much torque as the Kia EV6 GT's 545 lb-ft. That should be sufficient for a blistering 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds or so.

To bridge the gap between snarling gas-powered N models and refined EVs, Hyundai has a few other tricks up its sleeve. A teaser video previewed the fake engine noise that will be generated by the Ioniq 5 N, and it'll come with an N e-shift system that is said to mimic the sensation of a real dual-clutch transmission, complete with steering-mounted shift paddles.

We don't expect particularly impressive range or efficiency specs from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N since the focus will be on performance. The Kia EV6 GT, for instance, only has a 206-mile range and a combined MPGe figure of 79, way less than the most efficient EV6's 117 MPGe combined. That said, previous reports suggest that the N model will have a bigger battery capacity than the regular Ioniq 5 and, therefore, only a minimal range penalty.

Rapid charging speed should be a strength for the Ioniq 5 N since the normal Ioniq 5 can be hooked up to a 350 kW DC fast charger.

We've only had a brief glimpse of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's interior in a teaser video, and that gave us just enough time to see that it has the same basic dual-screen layout as other Ioniq 5 models. This setup should merge a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch touchscreen interface, giving customers easy access to Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and in the case of the Ioniq 5 N, probably a more expensive Bose sound system. Expect the digital gauges to be unique to this N model.

The seats inside the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N have integrated headrests, as seen in one of the video teasers. Other N models have a mix of leatherette and microsuede upholstery for their seats, along with metal pedals and sportier steering wheels, all of which we expect for the Ioniq 5 N. In this case, paddle shifters for the N e-shift system will also be in place.

A highlight of the Ioniq 5 range is second-row spaciousness, so your friends can also come along for the ride and see what this high-performance N can do.

It may be the sportiest model in the range, but even the base Ioniq 5s come with blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear parking sensors, pedestrian/cyclist detection, intelligent speed limit assist, highway driving assist, and smart cruise control, all of which the N should get as standard.

Cargo space in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N should be excellent since the standard car has 27.2 cubic feet behind its second row, or 59.3 cubes when the rear seats are folded flat.