PersonalBusiness
About the NRMASupport
MyNRMA Logo
  • About the NRMA
  • Support
Open Road
Car reviews
Hyundai car reviews
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

If ever there was an electric vehicle for rev-heads, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is it.
Blue 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N driving on a road in the country
Photo: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
11 March, 2024
Written by  
Adam Smith
Specifications
Body style
SUV
Motor power
448kW
Motor torque
740Nm
0-100km/h
3.5 secs
Battery capacity
84kWH
Driving range (WLTP)
448km
Driven wheels
AWD
Max charge rate (AC)
11kW
Max charge rate (DC)
233kW
Towing capacity (braked)
0kg
Towing capacity (unbraked)
0kg
ANCAP rating
Untested
Price
From $111,000
before on-road costs

Picture a group of motoring journos climbing into a line-up of Hyundai’s latest high-performance vehicle parked outside a western Sydney hotel. They start revving the engines, delivering deep growls, rumbles and exhaust pops. A hotel clerk standing in the foyer has her mouth agape in a look of utter confusion. “But… isn’t it an electric vehicle?” she tentatively asks a colleague.

Yes, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is indeed an EV (we’ll explain this apparent conundrum later) that was first released here in late 2021 and built from the ground up as a dedicated electric car. It’s Hyundai’s first EV to receive the performance enhancing N treatment and is priced at $111,000, making it the most expensive Hyundai car ever sold here. 

What are the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s specs?

With just one variant available, the Ioniq 5 N’s AWD powertrain consists of front and rear electric motors able to unleash 448kW and 740Nm. The revised battery (84kWh) has a pre-conditioning function and provides a claimed range of 448km, while supporting 10-80 per cent charging times of 70 minutes using common 50kW chargers, or as low as 18 minutes if you can find a scarce 350kW charger. 

How is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's exterior styling?

Externally, the Ioniq 5 N is more hot hatch than SUV, with added features advertising and aiding its monstrous abilities. A rear spoiler, diffuser, front air curtains and active front air-flaps manage airflow, with the latter opening when needed to promote cooling.

New 21-inch alloys are 1.2kg lighter than the original car’s 20-inchers and a signature N luminous orange strip runs around the vehicle’s base, including along new side skirts. A fixed glass roof ($2000) and matte paint ($1000) are the only two options available. 

It’s firmly planted through corners and still able to smoothly soak up potholes.

— Adam Smith

Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3
1/3

How is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's interior styling?

The ordinary Ioniq 5’s open and clean interior fashioned from recycled materials is replaced with a performance-orientated cockpit in black trim only, with a new centre console featuring a wireless charging pad and two USB-C ports.

Greeting drivers are larger pedals with metal and rubber chequered grips and a new N steering wheel with perforated leather grips. Heated and ventilated sports front seats are positioned 19mm lower for a more engaged driving experience and are wrapped in blue-stitched leather and Alcantara.

Comfort levels are excellent, but the seats are only manually adjustable and not as bolstered as you’d expect for a car with racetrack capabilities. 

There are also the familiar Ioniq 5 highlights: a seamless 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, eight-speaker Bose audio, and vehicle-to-load connection that can power other electrical equipment. Rear passengers get plenty of room to stretch out, but when the armrest in the middle seat is folded up the underside is hard and uncomfortable to lean against for any period. 

How is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's handling and ride?

With a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.5 seconds, acceleration is never lacking and pressing the N Grin Boost button on the steering wheel gains an extra 30kW and 30Nm for 10 seconds on already ridiculous levels of power and torque.

For spirited driving confidence in what is a hefty 2.2-tonne vehicle, Hyundai has endowed the Ioniq 5 N with additional chassis strengthening, an electronic limited slip differential, electronically controlled suspension, and larger brakes.

What is the verdict on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N?

Here’s where we get to those selectable engine sounds mentioned earlier. Pumped through internal and external speakers, Ignition mode simulates an engine much like the 2.0-litre turbo in the Hyundai i30 N.

While there’s every temptation to dismiss this as a gimmick, Hyundai has combined it with N e-Shift to add the sensation of shifting gears, either in auto or using the paddles.

It feels surprisingly real, so a visceral joy comes naturally when downshifting to slow into a turn and in hearing a satisfying crackle and pop.

However, the other two options of Evolution (futuristic EV) and Supersonic (fighter jet) fail to suspend your disbelief and are just annoying. The same can be said for lane safety and speed limit alerts that still revert to ‘on’ with every engine restart, and are particularly unwelcome in a car focused on driver engagement. 

For all its emphasis on driving fun (there’s even a drift optimiser setting for tyre-shredding track days), the Ioniq 5 N can still be a quiet and comfortable EV for daily commutes. Traditional car enthusiasts might remain sceptical but kudos to Hyundai for bringing something new to the EV landscape.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N at a glance

Pros: Focus on driver enjoyment; blistering pace; simulated engine experience 
Cons: Manually adjusted seats feel wrong for $111k; average range; driver assistance alerts 

Share this article
facebook
twitter-x
linkedin
Pinterest
Whatsapp
Email

We're for rewarding all Australians

Menu
Membership
Roadside assistance
Cars and driving
Car batteries
Car insurance
Driving lessons
Travel
Quick links
Renew membership
Request roadside assistance
Join My NRMA Rewards
My NRMA app
Find offers and discounts
Find electric vehicle chargers
Support
About us
Who we are
Our community impact
Careers
Media
Connect with our community
instagram
facebook
youtube
twitter-x
linkedin
©️2025 National Roads and Motorists’ Association Limited. ABN 77 000 010 506.
Sitemap
Privacy policy
General conditions
Cookie policy