FIRST DRIVE: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, 641bhp Hyper-Hatch! | Top Gear

This is the Hyundai N division’s take on the ridiculously good-looking Ioniq 5. A hatchback-shaped, medium crossover-sized, four-wheel drive EV, likely to cost between £65k and £70k and based on the same bits as the Kia EV6… with 600bhp. In fact, hit the embarrassingly named N Grin Boost mode button on the steering wheel and you have 641bhp for 10 second bursts.

But for once, it’s not all about the power – Hyundai has thrown the kitchen sink at the electronics in the 5 N. You can customise engine sounds to mimic a combustion engine, a fighter jet, or even a lightsaber. The N e-Shift mode simulates an eight-speed paddleshift gearbox, creating a more natural and engaging driving feel. There’s an N Drift Optimiser mode that sends all the torque to the rear axle and retains only the lightest electronic touch to allow big angles but limit excursions into the gravel. There's even torque kick drift, a fake clutch kick function that cuts power when you hold both paddles on the throttle, then dumps it all on the rear tyres when you release them to fling you sideways at the precise moment you choose.

The question is, are these all just gimmicks, or do they make the 5 N more engaging to drive? To find out, Top Gear Magazine’s Jack Rix puts Hyundai’s hyper-hatch to the test.

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:57 Drag Race ft. Honda Civic Type R
02:53 Settings & Customisable Engine Sounds
06:58 Drive
10:24 N Drift Optimiser
12:28 Torque Kick Drift
13:51 How Does It Drive?
15:28 Conclusion

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[joergmaass]

I test drove this car a few days ago and it is a lot of fun indeed! The fake shifting and engine noise serve a good purpose in connecting you to the car more, and even my family, who test drove it with me, liked the engine noise the best of all the sounds. It sounds silly, but it helps to make the transition fun and engaging. The car is a bit high and heavy for a sports car (I usually drive an Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce), but the engineers have done a remarkable job with this car. And for that alone it is worth considering.

[NICKCAMP]

Never thought I would hear the day someone say they have a stock 641 hp Hyundai

[jacobturk]

Hyundai is really making the biggest leaps in brand appearance

[yuchan]

People criticize IONIQ 5N by its sound and clutch are all fake. However, it is an option that only Hyundai can provide that other companies do not. The EU will ban the sale of internal combustion engines within a few decades, and not only in the EU, but in many countries as well. In this situation, Hyundai's attempt to transplant the advantages of the internal combustion engine into an electric vehicle deserves praise.

Also, they work very well and make the driving experience smoother and enhance the fun. These options can be turned off at any time, and the '650hp' & '0-100 in 3.4 sec' BEAST can be transformed into the normal IONIQ 5, one of the best family EVs, anytime. It has all the same conveniences such as enormous interior space and V2L.

The best part of the IONIQ 5N is not numbers like '0-100 3.4sec' or '650hp' (although it is already powerful enough). Ilt has the best driving feel and cornering and tremendous chassis performance of any EV under $100K currently. IONIQ 5N recorded a lap time of 7min 45sec at the Nürburgring. It is similar to Porsche Taycan and Model S Plaid.

EV's output drastically decreases after driving at maximum speed a few times due to the heat of the battery. However, the IONIQ 5N remains fine even if driven at full power all day. Hyundai may not the best in EV technology, but it has the world's best technology in battery heat management. Tesla's '1000hp' is only a peak number. I think sustainability of power is more important.

If this car was made by a German brand like BMW it would start at at least $150K. But IONIQ 5N starts at $65K. This is by far the best value options for anyone considering a sporty EV.

[entropiazero]

Hyundai Ioniq 5N récord de 7 minutos y 45 segundos, pero lo que es muy impresionante es que los frenos no se cansan durante una ronda de Nurburgring y que la temperatura de la batería se mantiene entre 55 y 60. grados, manteniendo al 100% la potencia del motor. Esta tecnología es una locura.

El trackpack Model S Plaid de Tesla y el Porsche Taycan muestran que la temperatura de la batería se dispara como loca incluso antes de dar una vuelta en Nurburgring, que la potencia del motor se reduce a la mitad, y los frenos se estiran y muestran que el vehículo es empujado hacia atrás.

El concepto de enfriar el calor de la batería mediante frenado regenerativo fue desarrollado por primera vez por Hyundai, y ni siquiera Tesla puede imitarlo. Hay que reconocer que es una tecnología que no se puede imitar.

Mercedes impresionado por esto - Mercedes y Volkswagen firman E - acuerdo de suministro de GMP con Hyundai Motor Group

[xapaiz]

This N e-SHIFT is such a stupid but fantastic idea and well executed! Hyundai is really pioneering the sports EV cars

[JHyungmin]

You left out the most important feature. The bucket seats are both ventilated and heated. This is a revolution.

[louiandrews]

I must say I've never been more impressed with any electric hot hatch in my life a job well done to hyundai

[arihantchoubey]

The N eshift feature is so amazing... getting all the feel of a transmission car with no transmission is insane.. kudos to Hyundai for integrating a innovative feature

[zerobrownies]

I went from saying no I would never buy a Hyundai to absolutely loving them and everything they are doing I currently own a 2022 Elantra N and when I was buying it all the people I know told me to not get it because it was a Hyundai but I chose to not listen to them because I absolutely loved how much character the car had and now all of there cars are getting this uniqueness to them and it makes them so much more special.
now personally I'm not a fan of electric just because I want my car to make noise and artificial noise doesn't work for me. But I am very happy that they understand people want noise and are trying to address that problem with electric
Honestly Hyundai is a completely different animal then they used to be and are now making all the right steps.

[mempto]

Much respect to Hyundai for pushing the envelope and bringing loads of innovation and performance.

[MatthewGaither]

I will always get behind a manufacturer's efforts to make their cars more fun. I'm glad Hyundai is doing this and it seems to "fit" within the N mantra that Hyundai has created thus far. Good job, Hyundai.

[Punisher_]

If Hyundai can provide us with this, Imagine what would N Vision 74 would look like and perform once It's in series production.

[Matty_Champwhite]

To top this all ladies and gentlemen, it’s not expensive to charge it. Sub £20 from empty on home chargers for all that fun. Granted I bet it’ll only do an hour on track! But realistically over 200 miles of travel range.

Expensive to buy but for the equivalent 600bhp machine the fueling cost is crazy good value.
I’d be hard set to choose this over an A45 AMG for the same money for instance (mainly on noise). But when you weigh in all the extras, the convenience factor and how cheap it is to run one… it’s genuinely a clear contender if you love a lot of toys to play with, and have charging facilities at home.

Very well done Hyundai

[mittortz]

go look at the comments on the car&driver article about the ioniq 5 N's e-shift feature when it was announced - it was truly shocking to me how much negativity there was from supposed car enthusiasts about that feature. So incredibly happy to see it coming to fruition as innovative and preserving engagement in the EV age. Thank you Top Gear for bringing this excellent insight on the actual product in use, I'm excited to give it a shot myself one day!

[paulturner]

I used to own an I30N - Superb car! Now I'm honestly finding myself say "I really want one of those!" when I'm thinking about the Ioniq 5 N. Well done Hyundai, and please, keep em coming, but a bit less expensive in the future if you can. Thanks!!

[amc]

Now I am even more excited about this car than I was before. I really want to drive it.

[NYN]

Been a die hard vw fan for years and bought an i20N recently best decision I ever made car wise personally !

[bbokdoong]

A Korean youtuber tested the range of Ioniq 5N and got around 270 miles when driven conservatively in Eco mode. Much better than the range of 200 mile Hyundai announced. Not bad.

[anibalbabilonia]

That thing is a beast!! Hyundai!? Who’d ever thought Hyundai was going to have a super car performance to beat the best of super car’s out there! Amazing!