The Hyundai IONIQ 5 has always been the kind of EV that'll win your heart, but it hasn't necessarily been the kind that would make your heart race. That is, until Hyundai's racing division got their hands on it. The result is this: the IONIQ 5 N, the first EV to wear the N performance badge and a showcase for a LOT of ideas about what it means to be a performance EV.
Let's be clear: this isn't just an IONIQ 5 with more power, although it IS an IONIQ 5 with more power. 641 horsepowers to be exact (when including its N Boost mode), and 545 lb-ft of torque. That's twice as powerful as the fastest non-N version, for those keeping track.
Speaking of the track, this car was built with them in mind, which puts it into a rare class of EV. The chassis, steering, brakes, suspension, battery, wheels, tires, axles, motors, radiators, aero and software have ALL been enhanced to provide a more exciting, confident, communicative experience for the driver. This car has a drift mode, as well as something called "N Pedal" which uses more-aggressive regenerative braking combined with a more sensitive throttle response to rebalance the weight of the car under braking. It has sharper and faster turn-in and - get this - a system that reads the road signs and when it sees a curvy-road indicated ahead, reminds you that it's time to play.
If you're the type to miss the noises of internal combustion, Hyundai has really gone the extra mile for you. Here they've introduced synthetic engine sounds (among other soundtracks like fighter jets), and even gone as far as to simulate the sensation of shifting gears - burbles on overrun included. It's not just sound effects either, the car will simulate the power band and red line of internal combustion and jolt you as if running through an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
And so this IONIQ 5 N is unlike anything else on the road right now, and it might just prove to be regular at your local track day.
An EV's advertised range is just an estimate. Your mileage may vary, literally! It's important to understand the factors that can affect EV range, so you choose a car that has enough for your lifestyle and habits. Not choosing enough range for your unique needs can prove to be a frustrating and expensive mistake. If you're not sure how range works or how much you need, visit our section on identifying your EV needs.
Identify My EV Needs
Would you rather charge for 20 minutes, or an hour? That's essentially what charge rate comes down to, how much time you'll spend at the plug. Different EVs are capable of charging at different speeds, so it's important to understand what your car's "Peak" or "Max" Charge Rate is. Charge rate is measured in Kilowatts (kW) and in 2023, the average peak charge rate is about 150kW. The fastest EVs charge at 250kW and above. Plug-In Hybrids will charge much slower. What does this mean for actual charge times? Well there's a little more to it...
Learn more about Charge Speed
MPGe or Miles Per Gallon Equivalent, is a way to compare the relative efficiency of cars using different types of energy. MPGe says there is 33.7 kWh of energy in a single gallon of gas, so we'll use that equivelency to compare to cars using kWh of energy from gas, batteries, or both.
DC Fast Charging
DC Fast Charging allows you to use more-powerful direct-current charging stations.
Adjustable Regenerative Braking
Regenerative Braking is a feature in electrified vehicles that recuperates energy that would otherwise be lost when the vehicle slows down. When Regenerative Braking is in use, taking your foot off of the accelerator will cause the car to slow, similar to the sensation of engine braking.
One Pedal Drive
One Pedal Drive is a feature that allows your car to come to a complete stop without needing to touch the brake pedal.
Preconditioning
Batteries lose efficiency when they're too hot or too cold. Especially on cold days, your car may lose quite a bit of range to a cold battery. Preconditioning allows you to warm your battery (and often the car's cabin along with it) before you leave, so that your car will be more efficient and retain more range. Some cars will allow you to schedule a departure time based on your commuting schedule, and others will allow you to precondition anytime using the car's phone app.
Dual Charge PortsSome EVs will offer a charge port on both sides of the car, which can come in handy if a charge cable isn't long enough to reach one side or the other.
Vehicle-to-Load CapabilitySome EVs offer the ability to power external devices using your car's battery. This can be extremely useful, for example, if your home loses power, or when you're at the campsite or worksite and need to power tools and/or accessories.
Heat PumpA heat pump is a more efficient way to heat your EV's cabin. When temperatures drop, EVs equipped with a heat pump will generally perform better (retaining more range) than vehicles that use more traditional resistance heating. A heat pump may be optional on your EV.
Tow chargingThis is a pretty rare feature, but allows an EV to be charged by towing it. This is for emergency situations when you're out of juice but don't have access to power.
