We get behind the wheel of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – the first proper hot hatch of the EV age

Once in a while a car comes along that doesn’t just stand out from the crowd, it sets a new benchmark. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is one of those cars.

A genuine game–changer, Hyundai has transformed the Ioniq 5 electric family hatchback into something very special.

Starting at £65,000, it’s pricey, but it’s also extremely clever, and there really is no other EV like it.

You could say it’s the first reasonably priced electric performance car this side of the £100,000-plus exotics from the luxury brands.

So, let’s get back to basics. The Ioniq 5 N is based on the award-winning Ioniq 5 family EV – a curiosity in itself.

With its retro cool design, the regular Ioniq 5 looks like it should be about the size of a VW Golf, yet its actually closer to a Skoda Enyaq iV.

This latest fruit from Hyundai’s ‘N’ performance sub-brand is even bigger (80 mm longer, 50 mm wider), thanks to larger wheels and tyres, and awesome body kit.

The all-wheel drive Ioniq 5 N also gets a larger battery pack than its sibling (84kWh compared to 78kWh), though range is down from 298 to 278 miles.

Courtesy of two electric motors, it produces an impressive 609bhp, while one press of the (NGB) boost button on the steering wheel unlocks the full 641bhp for a 10-second burst.

This means that a 0-60mph sprint can be dispensed with in 3.5 seconds (3.4s with the NGB button engaged) while the N’s top speed stands at 162mph.

And just like the regular Ioniq 5, the 5N gets state-of-the-art 800V battery technology allowing ultra-fast charging (10-80% in 18 minutes).

As if all that isn’t impressive enough, there are various driving modes for road and track, a launch control function, all-new suspension, bigger brakes, a revised steering system and styling tweaks to help cool the battery.

Most of all, technical wizardry has resulted in an EV that drives and sounds much like a conventional performance car with a convincing simulated engine noise and paddle-shift gearbox, recreating the sound and feel of a petrol-powered hot hatch.

Take one for a test drive yourself before you write it off as a gimmick, it doesn’t just put a smile on your face, it’s far more involving than a regular single-speed EV.

The Ioniq 5 N looks the part too. Not just the flared wheel arches and big wheels, but the aggressive stance. It’s the same story inside where there’s a far more sporty feel.