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The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2025
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The Ioniq 5 N could be less flashy, less expensive, and go farther
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The Ioniq 5 N is damn fun
Just 48 hours ago the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was named Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2025. It won decisively against mostly battery-powered competition. Hyundai’s newest sports car, which also happens to be an EV, won our team over with thrilling performance, a solid value, and an engaging driving character. It pushes EV sports cars into the mainstream marketplace, and that’s a win for enthusiasts.
But nothing’s perfect, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N could be better. Here’s how.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Go on a a diet
EVs are heavy. It’s the batteries. The bonus here is that typically the weight is set low and centered in the vehicle, making them the equivalent of mid-engine cars. Still, weight is the enemy of handling, and the Ioniq 5 N checks in at a portly 4,861 pounds. We would love to see this thing go on a 1,000-pound diet. That would have it check in under the Tesla Model 3 Performance’s curb weight of 4,054 pounds. Use some high-strength steel, or aluminum, or boron steel, whatever it takes, Hyundai. Don’t shrink the battery pack because that would reduce range. Don’t reduce the cooling as they would harm performance. And don’t go with carbon-ceramic brakes as that would increase the price. Of course, Hyundai has done its best and lighter, sportier EVs will likely have to wait until solid-state batteries are ready for automotive use.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Lower the price
Batteries aren’t cheap, and neither is the Ioniq 5 N at $67,685. But with the average transaction price of a car hovering about $48,000, a $68k sports car or enthusiast vehicle isn’t far fetched. We live in an era of $65,000 Mustangs and $90,000 Broncos and Wranglers. Still, the Honda Civic Type R costs $47,047 and a Hyundai Elantra N costs $35,445. Of course neither do 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds or have up to 641 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque. A $45,000 Ioniq 5 N would be a hot hatch performance bargain.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Offer a T or Touring package
Just like the Honda Civic Type R, the Ioniq 5 N is flashy. There’s nothing stealthy about that front splitter, side sill extensions, or the massive rear wing and rear diffuser. This thing screams look at me, and our tester’s Soultronic Orange paint did little to help the situation (as would the more common Performance Blue Matte). Hyundai should offer a T or Touring package that strips off the (visually) loud bits. Ditch the rear wing and swap it for a lip spoiler. Tone down the rear diffuser, shrink the side sill extensions, and maybe shrink the wheels an inch or two if they’ll clear the brakes. That could make it a performance sleeper.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Fix the rear seat packaging
One of the Ioniq 5’s flaws is its rear seat packaging. The battery pack in the floor combined with the rear seat design, creates a knees-up seating position for those in the back. It’s not uncomfortable, but occupants would get uncomfortable on a road trip without thigh support.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Give it more range
I know that’s a tall order and easier said than done. The Ioniq 5 is an efficient electric car in our book. The hotter Ioniq 5 N isn’t necessarily an energy guzzler. In mixed driving we’ve averaged 2.7 mi/kwh. The battery pack isn’t particularly small at 88.4 kwh. The issue becomes the sticky 275/35R21 Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. Those four pieces of rubber are (part) of what helps the Ioniq 5 N stick and rip around corners, but they also hurt its range. EPA-rated range checks in at just 221 miles, but our 2.7 mi/kwh calculates to 238 miles. That’s not bad, but we’d love to see 300 miles of range.
All of these complaints are minor. No car’s perfect, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N brings fun to the electric age. That alone is worth celebrating. The future doesn’t have to be boring, it doesn’t have to be silent, and it can still be engaging despite electric power. Thanks for the big performance with little compromise, Hyundai.