2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Review

Sitting atop the lineup, the IONIQ 5 N takes the practical platform from the regular hatch-crossed SUV and turns everything up to eleven in a hardcore fashion.

With acceleration figures that make million-dollar supercars sweat, the IONIQ 5 is a unique vehicle that blends family-friendly motoring with dynamic abilities that frankly shouldn’t exist in this type of vehicle.

The IONIQ 5’s development program saw it tackle some of the most famous circuits around the globe, but how does it handle on a daily drive, and just how many compromises has all this mind-bending speed come with?

To find out, we got behind the wheel of the IONIQ 5 N to find out just how realistic it is to own and drive a supersonic electric vehicle daily, especially if you’ve got a family.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Competition

How Much Does the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Cost?

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a performance flagship that comes at a premium price - $111,000 to be exact, and that’s before on-road costs are factored into the equation.

Our review unit was also fitted with the optional vision roof, which is priced at $2,000, bringing the total to $113,000 before on-road costs.

For reference, prices for the Hyundai IONIQ 5 range kick off from $67,500 for the entry-level IONIQ 5 Standard Range RWD, rising up to $86,500 for the IONIQ 5 Epiq Extended Range AWD.

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Have?

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N comes with a near-endless features list that, combined with its performance abilities, helps to justify its lofty price tag.

The IONIQ 5 N comes riding on a set of 21-inch forged wheels wrapped in high-performance Pirelli P-Zero HN tyres, and receives an adaptive suspension system, electronic limited-slip differential, 400mm front and 360mm rear brakes with N calipers and launch control.

Vehicle features include LED headlights, vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging, an energy-efficient heat pump, a powered boot lift, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking, metal pedals, ambient lighting, a head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

Creature comforts for the IONIQ 5 N include dual-zone climate control, a mix of leather and Alcantara upholstery, power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger and a digital rear-view mirror.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Hyundai has given the IONIQ 5 N a tonne of technology inside the cabin to make it feel like a deserving flagship vehicle.

Atop the dashboard you’ll find a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired seamlessly with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, which gives the cabin a particularly high-tech vibe.

Hyundai’s 12.3-inch infotainment display looks great, feels responsive while navigating through menus and offers high contrast and brightness levels even in the middle of the day.

Satellite navigation and DAB+ digital radio are fitted as standard, with Hyundai throwing in a powerful eight-speaker sound system from BOSE to keep HIFI enthusiasts happy.

The menus offer the usual range of media, vehicle settings and charging information when you’re connected, as well as navigation routes to the nearest charger if and when you’re in need of a quick top-up.

More significantly for driving enthusiasts, however, is the dedicated N menu, which offers two custom driving modes and a series of fully configurable setups for things like the powertrain, suspension, steering, limited-slip differential and the fake engine noises.

There’s so much customisation on offer that it’s quite overwhelming at first glance, though once you’re acquainted, it’s a fantastic feature that allows you to create two custom driving profiles unique to your preferred setup.

Does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Buyers will be pleased to know that the range-topping IONIQ 5 N’s infotainment system does indeed support both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections.

This allows you to either connect your phone via one of the USB-C ports in the front of the cabin, or simply keep your phone in your pocket and hit the road with access to your contacts and media on the fly.

Combined with the wireless charging pad, you also have the option of a wireless Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto while your phone sits freely in the centre console.

How Fast is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N?

The reality is that the IONIQ 5 N is so fast - you need time on a circuit to fully explore its limits.

With a heavy right foot, you’ll exceed road-legal speeds in a matter of seconds, offering acceleration previously relegated to multi-million-dollar exotics.

Underneath, the IONIQ 5 N receives two electric motors that pump out a monumental 448kW of power and 740Nm of torque to all four wheels.

There’s also a bright orange button on the steering wheel labelled ‘NGB,’ which translates to ‘N Grin Boost’ and throws you back in your seat even harder with peak outputs of 478kW of power and 770Nm of torque.

Depending on the drive mode, you’ll hit 100km/h in the IONIQ 5 N in just 3.5 seconds, dropping to 3.4 seconds with the naughty NGB button engaged for ten-second boosts of power.

On the road, the IONIQ 5 N’s acceleration is somewhat of a contrast - it’s near silent, but absolutely brutal.

It offers outlandish G-forces, even for an EV with immediate power delivery, while the upgraded brake package with massive rotors provides excellent stopping power for the 2.2-tonne package.

Where things get really interesting is when you start to throw the IONIQ 5 N into some corners.

In spite of its weight, the IONIQ 5 N feels like on its feet and corners with aggression when really pushed.

With an adaptive suspension platform with some heavy-duty hardware underneath, the IONIQ 5 N corners remarkably flat and does well to stay composed while tackling a trip up a bumpy road.

The steering is razor sharp in sports mode, providing healthy feedback as to what the front wheels are up to, handling like it’s on rails at times thanks to the low-slung centre of gravity.

With the help of the trick torque vectoring system at the front wheels, which helps you carve through corners with ease and a limited-slip differential at the rear that kicks the tail out momentarily.

The end result is truly immense cornering, with ballistic speeds at your disposal upon corner exit and jaw-dropping abilities all-round from Hyundai’s first-ever performance electric vehicle.

It’s so damn capable that it’s difficult, if not impossible to guage on public roads, so it would be wise to invest some time on the track if you want to truly experience the IONIQ 5 N unleashed.

Is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Comfortable to Drive Daily?

Typically, transforming a car into a track-munching monster comes at the expense of comfort and civility on a daily drive.

In the IONIQ 5 N, however, Hyundai has done an outstanding job in maintaining every day driveability, which is a difficult feat to pull off.

Engage the eco mode and you’ll find that it’s quite happy to do an impression of the normal IONIQ 5 range, albeit with a significantly firmer suspension setup.

With a more sensible driving mode engaged, suddenly it takes half throttle to pick up speed with traffic, which, combined with the adjustable regenerative braking system that offers one-pedal driving, it’s actually quite the refined little commuter.

Opting for the eco-driving mode also lightens up the weight of the steering, making it easy to squeeze in and out of a car park and, thankfully, the turning circle hasn’t been trashed while transitioning to an electric powerhouse.

Combine that with excellent visibility, an adjustable driving position and eager handling around town and the IONIQ 5 N offers all the virtues of the regular IONIQ 5 around town - with a nuclear missle’s worth of power at your disposal if needed.

It’s worth noting that even in the softest setting, the IONIQ 5 N’s hardcore suspension system isn’t the most accommodating to the rough and tumble of an Australian country road, though it does stay composed.

Stints on country roads also presented a consistent rattle from the tailgate that may well be specific to this review car, but it’s worthy of a mention, considering how close we have to look to find a fault in the package overall.

For long stretches on the highway, the IONIQ 5 N’s endless power and near silent powertrain makes it a great performer at high speeds.

Once again, it’s firm on bumps and expansion joints, though when presented with a high-quality surface, the IONIQ 5 N absolutely destroys time on the motorway with confidence.

All up, then, we were left both surprised and impressed with how capable the IONIQ 5 is on a mundane drive, and how realistic of a proposition it is to drive on a daily basis.

How Far Can the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Drive on a Single Charge?

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is packaged with an 84kWh battery pack that Hyundai says is good for up to 448km of driving range on the WLTP test cycle, with claimed energy efficiency figures of 21.2kWh per 100km.

We don’t doubt Hyundai’s claimed figures, so long as you’re sticking with the eco drive mode and behaving yourself with the throttle.

Our best efforts saw us averaging closer to the 400km mark with energy efficiency figures of 20.1kWh per 100km.

Tipping it into the sporty ‘N’ drive mode and unleashing both electric motors will see you drain the battery in half that time.

For reference, the standard IONIQ 5 range offers range figures between 384km in the Standard Range RWD, rising to 507km in the most capable Extended Range RWD variant.

How Long Does it Take to Charge the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N?

Hyundai has thrown in its 800-volt architecture underneath the IONIQ 5 N, which means you’ve got access to lighting-fast charging speeds, so long as you can find the right charger.

The 800V tech offers DC charging speeds up to 350kW, which can bring the battery pack from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes.

Using a more populous 50kW DC fast charger will bring the IONIQ 5 N’s battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just over an hour.

If you’re charging at home with a 7kW AC charger, you can expect to see a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just under 11 hours, while charging via a conventional 240-volt plug at home will take more than 24 hours.

IONIQ 5 N Charging Speeds

• 350kW DC Fast-Charger: 18 Minutes

• 50kW DC Fast-Charger: 70 Minutes

• 7kW AC Charger: 10 Hours 50 Minutes

Is the IONIQ 5 N Practical and Spacious Enough for a Family?

While there’s a whole heap of new, performance-inspired hardware underneath the IONIQ 5 N, thankfully, it remains the ever-practical package that buyers have come to admire since its launch.

Step inside and you’ll see the IONIQ 5 N is familiar to the regular vehicle but picks up more than a handful of special touches to help make things sportier and more refined inside.

The sporty bucket seats are lined with alcantara and leather, with a healthy mix of firm support and side bolstering but enough cushioning to keep things comfortable on a long haul up the highway.

Headroom and visibility in the front of the cabin is excellent, even more so with Hyundai’s optional glass roof that opens things up to the heavens but cuts down on harsh UV light.

The driving position is fully adjustable, as any enthusiast package should be, while the busy little steering wheel riddled with orange and blue buttons provides a constant reminder this isn’t your average electric vehicle.

There’s a redesigned centre console over the standard IONIQ range, with a tower that rises in front of the dash, housing a rubber-lined tray for the wireless charging pad and some extra accommodation for loose items.

Storage options are aplenty in the front of the IONIQ 5, with large boor bins, a massive space between the driver and front passenger that features pop-out cup holders and the ability to stash anything from a large water bottle to a camera or handbag.

Importantly for a vehicle at this price, all the important touch points receive a soft finish while the ergonomics and switchgear feel pretty quality.

Move to the rear of the IONIQ 5 N’s cabin and you’ll find a bench seat with tonnes of legroom on offer, even while sitting behind a tall driver.

Adults will not have an issue sitting in the back for long stretches, with reclining rear seats thrown in for good measure to get comfortable.

The long wheelbase platform provides a heap of comfort when it comes to rear accommodation, while the tall roofline keeps things feeling spacious, especially with the infinite views provided by the vision roof.

Added bonuses in the rear include USB-C charging ports, map and door pockets, a power outlet for the vehicle-to-load charging system, air vents on the side pillars and a folding armrest with cupholders.

If you’ve got a family to lug around, you’ll be pleased to know that the IONIQ 5 N retains two pairs of ISOFIX anchors, combined with three top tether mounts on the seatbacks.

With acres of interior space, you won’t have an issue installing even the bulkiest of child seats in the back of the IONIQ 5, asserting itself as one of the most practical performance machines currently on the road. 

All up, it’s a remarkably capable package that is packed to the brim with storage options and space for a large family - a feat of family-friendly engineering and clever design work.

How Big is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N’s Boot?

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is one of a very small crowd of performance vehicles that can out-run a Lamborghini with a set of golf clubs and surfboards in the boot.

While boot space figures are smaller than the standard IONIQ 5 range, it remains a beast when put to the practicality test.

Thanks to its hatchback-cross SUV design, there’s a healthy amount of boot space inside the IONIQ 5 N, totalling 480L with the rear seats standing, which is a 50L drop from the standard range.

Fold down the second-row bench and you’ll unlock 1,362L of cargo space when it’s time to lug around bulky cargo.

Unfortunately, the IONIQ 5 N does not offer any additional storage underneath the bonnet, but it does provide a heap of space in the boot that gives it some confidence when put to the family test.

Is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Safe?

Hyundai’s technical showpiece comes absolutely overflowing with active safety gear.

The long list includes autonomous emergency braking with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as junction turning, direct oncoming and lane change oncoming braking.

The IONIQ 5 N also receives a blind-spot monitoring system, a highway driving assistant that combines the adaptive cruise control with lane-change and lane-keep assistance, rear cross-trafifc alerts, multi-collision braking, rear occupant alerts and a surround-view monitor with parking sensors.

There’s also a parking collision avoidance system with sensors all around the body, speed limit assistance, driver attention alerts, a blind-spot view monitor, an evasive steering assist system and six airbags.

The end result is a safety equipment list that offers every single important piece of active safety tech to keep you safe on everything from the highway to a blind intersection and while you’re parking.

Does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N is yet to be officially assessed by ANCAP and does not have a current ANCAP safety rating.

For reference, the standard Hyundai IONIQ 5 range received the five-star ANCAP safety tick following testing in 2021 saw it score the following marks.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 ANCAP Scores (Not applicable for IONIQ 5 N)

• Adult Occupant Protection: 88%

• Child Occupant Protection: 87%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 63%

• Safety Assist: 89%

What Warranty Does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Come With?

Hyundai offers the IONIQ 5 N with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, while the battery and high-voltage components are backed by an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty.

• Vehicle Warranty: Five-year/unlimited-kilometre

• Battery Warranty: Eight-year/160,000-kilometre

Service intervals are set at a particularly lengthy 24-months or 30,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Hyundai offers three capped-price services for your first three visits to the service centre, totalling $625 a piece.

Our Verdict: Is the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Worth It?

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 left me in awe more times than I thought possible, even with extremely high expectations.

The acceleration is vicious, the handling seems to break the laws of physics yet, for all its road-munching abilities, the IONIQ 5 N is remarkably capable as a daily driver - so long as you’re commuting on silky smooth roads.

In this respect, the IONIQ 5 N is one of the most accomplished and well-rounded performance vehicles on the planet - and that’s before you load it up with people and bags inside the ever-practical cabin.

It’s a package that celebrates being pushed, terrifying those who dare to smash the right pedal with too much enthusiasm and offering a huge amount of fun in the corners.

No, it doesn’t come cheap, but the fact that you can legitimately put the IONIQ 5 against rivals like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT shows just how capable Hyundai’s first standalone EV is… and what’s to come in the future.

In a nod to any great performance vehicle, there’s no real reason for the IONIQ 5 N to exist - and that’s exactly why I love it.

If you’re in the market for a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited km warranty; eight-years for battery

2. Dual electric motor powertrain produces up to 478kW/770Nm

3. 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds

4. 448km of range from 84kWh battery pack

5. 10-80 per cent charging in 18 minutes with 350kW DC fast-charger