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Hyundai Motor Company’s first high-performance electric vehicle, the IONIQ 5 N, has secured the coveted ‘Five-Star Car’ award at the 2025 Autocar Awards. This prestigious honor recognizes the IONIQ 5 N for establishing a new benchmark in performance, innovation, and practical usability, setting it apart in the competitive EV market. The award from the globally respected automotive publication, Autocar, affirms the vehicle’s successful blend of thrilling dynamics and everyday functionality.
Key Highlights
- The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N was honored with Autocar’s maximum five-star rating, a distinction reserved for vehicles that demonstrate exceptional, all-around excellence.
- This year, the IONIQ 5 N was one of only three models to achieve this perfect score, highlighting the rigorous standards of Autocar’s evaluation process.
- Autocar’s road testers praised the vehicle as a “game changer” for its engaging driving experience, dynamic capabilities, and advanced technology—qualities not often found in high-performance EVs.
- The high-performance EV features a powerful dual-motor setup that produces up to 641 horsepower and accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds.
A New Benchmark in Performance
For nearly a century, Autocar’s road test has been a definitive measure of automotive excellence. Its Five-Star Car award is granted only to vehicles that deliver outstanding performance across every testing category. The IONIQ 5 N is the first model from Hyundai to receive this top honor, a testament to its groundbreaking design and engineering.
Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, stated, “Cars that truly change the game have always been vanishingly rare… Yet the IONIQ 5 N is just that: a game-changer. With the arrival of the N, the electric driver’s car has landed, and it’s fully deserving of its perfect five-star Autocar road test.”
Innovation and Driver Engagement
The IONIQ 5 N is engineered to deliver pure driver involvement in the electric era. Beyond its impressive acceleration, Autocar highlighted the innovative N e-Shift function. This feature simulates the gear changes and engine braking of a traditional internal combustion engine, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for the driver.
Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced E-GMP platform, the vehicle incorporates motorsport-inspired technologies, including a specialized regenerative braking system and track-spec thermal management. This sophisticated software and hardware combination ensures the IONIQ 5 N delivers consistent, thrilling performance.
Redefining the High-Performance EV
The IONIQ 5 N masterfully combines its dynamic capabilities with features that enhance its everyday usability. These include a spacious interior and vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, which allows the car to power external devices. This unique blend of performance and practicality redefines what a high-performance EV can be.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai & Genesis UK, commented, “From the outset, the IONIQ 5 N has been a car that has demonstrated Hyundai’s technological leadership, helping to change perceptions about the brand thanks to its wonderful performance, precision handling and genuine emotional engagement.” He noted that the Five-Star Car award is a significant recognition of the vehicle’s success in one of the industry’s most demanding road tests.
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