You might raise an eyebrow seeing an electric car vying for the title of best hot hatch, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N isn’t here to play by old rules. This isn’t just an EV; it’s a fully-fledged performance machine that injects an electrifying thrill into the hot hatchback segment.
Packed with dual electric motors – one for each axle – the Ioniq 5 N unleashes a staggering 601bhp. Engage the N Grin Boost mode, and you’ll experience bursts of up to 641bhp for 10 seconds of pure, unadulterated power. Launch control catapults this hot hatch from 0-62mph in a mere 3.4 seconds, leaving every other contender in this class eating its electric dust. This blistering acceleration firmly plants the Ioniq 5 N as the quickest car in the Best Hot Hatches conversation.
But the Ioniq 5 N is far more than just raw power. Hyundai has engineered some truly innovative features to amplify the driving experience. The N e-Shift system cleverly simulates the feel of an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Using steering wheel paddles, drivers can engage with simulated gear changes, adding an engaging layer of driver interaction typically absent in EVs. Complementing this is the N Active Sound Plus, which pumps synthesized engine noises both inside and outside the vehicle, creating an auditory dimension that enhances the sporty feel.
The combination of these technologies, along with the car’s agile and playful handling, culminates in an electric vehicle that is genuinely fun to drive, defying expectations of what an EV hot hatch can be. Of course, innovation and performance come at a premium, and the Ioniq 5 N sits at the higher end of the price spectrum.
“Beneath the surface, the Ioniq 5 N is closely related to the Kia EV6 GT. However, it has new suspension, bigger brakes, quicker steering, reinforced underpinnings and a vast array of drive modes to distinguish it from its cousin. I found the difference was like night and day.” – Oliver Young, Used Cars Reporter
Read our in-depth Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review to discover more about what makes it a contender for the best hot hatch title.
