Electric cars have come a long way from being just quiet, efficient commuters. Today, some of them are pushing deep into enthusiast territory, proving that performance doesn’t have to rely on combustion. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a prime example, showing that an EV can be engaging, fun to drive, and tailored to those who love driving for its own sake.

Still, there’s a certain kind of mechanical involvement, like shifting your own gears, that even the best EVs can’t fully replicate. That point seems to be completely lost on Hyundai’s European technical chief, Tyrone Johnson.

Read: We Drove Hyundai’s Last i20 N And It’s The Hot Hatch You’ll Wish You Bought

In a recent interview, Johnson said that for those wanting to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV, and he knows a thing or two about performance cars. Before joining Hyundai in 2018, he had worked at Ford for 33 years and, at one stage, was the chief engineer for Ford’s RS cars, including the Focus RS. That happened to be one of the finest hot hatches of the last decade, but the industry has undergone significant changes since then.

Manual Holdouts Still Have a Case

“Nobody wants manual gearboxes and handbrakes anymore, or analogue instruments,” Johnson told Car Magazine. After living with the 2025 Toyota GR Yaris, complete with a six-speed manual and a traditional handbrake, we’d beg to differ. Hyundai also continues to sell the i20 N and i30 N/Elantra N with stick shifts, so clearly, some people still want a manual.

Johnson did concede that certain sensory cues, like vibrations and engine noise, help drivers stay in tune with the car.

“I can understand that some people want to have the sounds, vibrations, things like that,” he acknowledged. “Those sensory inputs help the human brain understand what’s going on in a car.” It’s for these reasons that Hyundai added things like a faux combustion soundtrack to the Ioniq 5 N, as well as an artificial transmission.

As for the nostalgia or more traditional performance cars? Johnson doesn’t understand it.

“I’m a performance guy,” he said. “I did the first Mustang Shelby [the 1992 SVT Mustang]. I don’t understand the idea that performance cars are dying. If you want to go fast, there’s nothing better than an EV. I don’t understand the nostalgia.”

He even went so far as to say that most current performance cars are “a disappointment” compared to the Ioniq 5 N.

It’s easy to understand where Johnson is coming from. After all, software is allowing car manufacturers to add features that improve the driving experience, and this will be on full display with the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. But, if given the choice between driving an Ioniq 5 N or a six-speed Elantra N up a mountain road, we’d probably still opt for the Elantra.

Hyundai’s performance arm is evolving fast, and Europe is about to see a major shift. The N division’s electric ambitions are picking up speed with a growing lineup of EV-only models, starting with the Ioniq 5 N that’ll soon be joined by the Ioniq 6 N. That doesn’t mean the combustion engine is getting kicked to the curb just yet, though, as Hyundai’s go-fast sub-brand isn’t ready to shut the door on other powertrain options.

More: Kia Is Done With Gas GT Performance Cars

While the Elantra N continues to wave the ICE flag in North America, Europe has taken a stricter turn. Emissions regulations have already pushed the i20 N and i30 N hot hatches off the map, sparking speculation that Hyundai N would go fully electric, much like Kia appears to be doing with its GT-badged performance cars.

EVs Are Just One Part of the Plan

Speaking to Autocar, Joon Park, Vice President of Hyundai N and head of the Global Marketing Strategy Team, pushed back on the assumption that N is going EV-exclusive. “The problem that we have is that there is a perception from the media and our fans that Hyundai N is only focusing on the EV world, which is not true,” Park said. “Even though we are going to introduce the Ioniq 6 N at Goodwood Festival of Speed, we are not limiting ourselves to EVs.”

Park added that the division is open to exploring a wide range of ideas: “We’re going forward with EVs, of course, as well as all the other proposals we could do. Because for N, imagination and courage are the words we need to remember.”

Room for Hybrids and More

The performance division’s boss, a self-declared fan of combustion-powered sports cars, didn’t go into detail about what kinds of powertrains future Hyundai N models might use. Still, it’s reasonable to think the brand could align with its parent company’s multi-pathway strategy.

More: Genesis Says Its New Hybrids Will Surprise You

The Hyundai Group has already confirmed it’s developing a variety of models with hybrid and EREV (extended range electric vehicle) systems. These are meant to complement its growing battery-electric lineup while reducing reliance on charging infrastructure.

Not every one of those platforms will be a fit for Hyundai N’s performance focus, but the direction is clear. A similar approach is also in the works at Genesis, where the newly launched Magma sub-brand is expected to blend performance with a mix of powertrain technologies.

What’s Coming Next

The Hyundai i30 N, which launched in 2017, kicked off the sub-brand’s journey with a proper hot hatch that set the tone for future N models. Since then, the performance treatment has been applied to the i20, Kona, Veloster, Elantra, and more recently, the Ioniq 5.

Now, the Ioniq 6 N is getting ready for its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it will serve as a showcase for what the next all-electric N car will look and feel like.

Another model that could join the lineup in the coming years is a production version of the Vision N 74 Concept, positioned as a low-volume halo car. The concept featured a hydrogen-electric hybrid setup delivering 670 hp (500 kW / 680 PS), though it’s still unclear whether a similar powertrain would make it into a road-going version.

Update: Hyundai has released new details on the upcoming Ioniq 6 N, including specifics on its chassis setup and driving modes. We’ve updated our original story.

Hyundai’s electric performance lineup continues to evolve, and the Ioniq 6 N is set to raise the bar when it makes its official debut at Goodwood on July 10. Following the well-received Ioniq 5 N, which proved that an electric hot hatch can go toe-to-toe with its combustion counterparts, this new performance sedan aims to deliver sharper dynamics.

The Ioniq 6 N has been quietly progressing for some time. Its roots can be traced back to the 2022 RN22e concept, followed by sightings of camouflaged prototypes over the past few years. The first official teaser arrived in April 2025, timed with the reveal of the facelifted base model. More recent previews offer a clearer picture, highlighting the car’s sportier stance and intent.

The latest round of teasers offers a clearer glimpse of the upcoming EV, emphasizing its performance-driven design and intent. Highlights include a revised suspension setup, refinements to Hyundai’s simulated gearbox and sound system, and upgraded drift tuning for more precise control on the track.

Sharper Looks, Familiar Shape

While the Ioniq 6 N carries over the split headlight layout and sporty bumpers from the refreshed N Line model, a few key details separate it from the pack. Around back, it sports a prominent swan-neck rear wing perched above the integrated ducktail spoiler, giving the sedan a more track-ready silhouette.

More: Hyundai Teases Production-Spec N Vision 74

A closer inspection shows wider fenders front and rear, along with more aggressive bumper inserts that hint at its enhanced performance. The teaser images show the car in Hyundai N’s signature Performance Blue paint, accented by familiar red trim. Lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in sticky performance tires complete the look.

Aggressive Chassis Setup, Fake Sounds, And More Drift

While the Ioniq 6 N shares its platform with the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai has introduced several upgrades that build on its lower ride height and more aerodynamic shape. These changes are aimed at improving handling and responsiveness, with the company highlighting a “fully redesigned suspension geometry.” Key revisions include a lowered roll center, a longer caster trail, and new electronically controlled stroke-sensing (ECS) dampers designed to better manage body movement and grip.

More: Hyundai’s New Ioniq 5 N DK Edition Proves EVs Can Shred Tires And Egos Alike

The EV will also feature updated versions of Hyundai’s N e-Shift and N Active Sound+ systems, now available across all drive modes. These enhancements are designed to replicate the feel and sound of a traditional performance car, right down to the simulated gear changes. The faux dual-clutch transmission uses a close-ratio setup, accompanied by an “N Ambient Shift Light” that signals when it’s time for the driver to make a virtual shift.

Rounding out the performance upgrades, the enhanced N Drift Optimiser introduces a wider range of settings to help drivers fine-tune the car’s behavior based on their own drifting skill level. Hyundai notes that this system is designed with track use in mind.

Hyundai hasn’t shared official powertrain specs just yet, but it’s likely the Ioniq 6 N will carry over the dual-motor setup from the Ioniq 5 N. That model delivers 601 hp (448 kW / 609 PS), with a temporary bump to 641 hp (478 kW / 650 PS) when N Grin Boost is activated. The same 84 kWh battery pack is expected to carry over as well, providing more than enough muscle to put it in direct competition with the Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Joon Park, Vice President and Head of the N Management Group, says the Ioniq 6 N is designed to deliver “the most engaging driving experience possible in an EV.”

More details are expected when the car takes to the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 10.

Hyundai

Given the performance of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, affordability might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, it’s now cheaper to lease in the States than before, as Hyundai prepares for the 2026 model release and works to clear out existing inventory, even though no major changes are expected.

Read: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Owners Report Dangerous Acceleration After Software Fix

Leasing the Ioniq 5 N had previously been quite expensive, with monthly payments set at $899 for 36 months, plus a $3,999 down payment due at signing before taxes and delivery fees. This brought the effective cost to about $1,010 per month. That’s an eye-watering amount, and nearly double some of the lease deals we’ve seen for the Lucid Air in recent months.

Now, Hyundai has slashed the Ioniq 5 N lease to $699 per month for 36 months, keeping the $3,999 down payment at signing. This offer kicked in on May 9 and will run until June 2, so you’d better hurry if you’re interested.

From what we learned, Hyundai achieved this drop by cutting the Money Factor (the interest rate used to calculate the rent charge) to .00017 for 24-month/12,000-mile leases and .00016 for 36-month/10,000-mile leases, while also inflating the residual values (the car’s expected value at the end of the lease) to 52% and 45%, respectively.

For the 36-month/10,000-mile option with the down payment, the effective monthly lease comes out to $810 before taxes and delivery fees. If you opt for a zero down payment, the total rises to $848.17 due to the higher interest rate. Hyundai also offers a purchase option at the end of the lease for $32,484, plus an additional $300 fee.

Other Options

While this deal might be too good to refuse for some, it’s worth keeping in mind that Kia is gearing up to launch its facelifted EV6 GT, and it features many of the same features as the Ioniq 5 N. In addition to rocking the same basic dual-motor powertrain, it has been updated with the same Virtual Gear Shift function as the Hyundai and promises an ICE-inspired soundtrack, too.

If you’re looking to buy, the Ioniq 5 N starts at $67,675. On one hand, that’s fairly reasonable for an electric vehicle that offers practicality alongside supercar-level performance. On the other hand, it’s still significantly more expensive than the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which starts at $54,990.

Review: What’s It Like Living With The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N?

Plus, if you go for colors like Stealth Grey, Pearl White, or Deep Blue metallic, the flagship Model 3 qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit, bringing the price down to $47,490 before taxes and fees. Something to keep in mind.

That said, for those looking for an EV that prioritizes driver involvement in a way no other competitor currently does, the Ioniq 5 N remains a solid choice. With up to 641 horsepower, it can go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 3.4 seconds, and it even allows you to adjust the power split between the front and rear wheels for a truly customizable experience.