Hyundai’s electric hot hatch defines the genre

Not everyone is a fan of electric cars. I? I’m a bit on the fence, having enjoyed driving it on tests, but, like some, I’m not entirely convinced it’s an alternative to petrol or diesel cars yet. But I have to admit they’re getting there.

If you combine a love of speed, power and electric capability, an electric hot hatch is a must-have for the sporty driver. Catering to the speed and power elements of an electric vehicle (EV), the multi-award-winning Hyundai IONIQ 5 N has added another honor to its expanding trophy cabinet by being named Best EV Hot Hatch at the 2024 TopGear.com Electric Awards.

The annual awards are a celebration of the best picks in the rapidly evolving world of electric vehicles, honoring innovation across a number of diverse categories. The TopGear jury voted the IONIQ 5 N the clear winner of the Best EV Hot Hatch award, praising Hyundai’s dedication to imbuing it with a spirit that ensures every journey is enjoyed.

“In a world where pure electric hot hatches are a rarity, Hyundai managed to score the game on its first try,” said Jack Rix, editor-in-chief of TopGear. Experimental and capable, but best of all filled with a sense of humor that many electric cars lack, the IONIQ 5 N is a record-breaking moment for the electric car.

The high-performance model combines the Electrified Global Modular System (E-GMP) of the IONIQ 5 standard car, the 2022 World Car of the Year, with motorsport-bred technologies and Hyundai’s N Division expertise to take driving pleasure to a new level. Among the IONIQ 5 N’s host of key technical advances is a powertrain that delivers greater power output and improved battery cooling and braking performance. The IONIQ 5 N’s electric motors spin up to 21,000 rpm, delivering up to 600 horsepower (hp) under normal conditions, or 641 hp when the vehicle’s N Grin Boost (NGB) feature is engaged, providing acceleration figures ranging from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 161 mph.

An unforgettable drive is ensured by a range of upgrades, including a reinforced steering column for improved feedback, an electronic suspension system that adapts suspension stiffness depending on the driving mode, and a range of advanced electronic control technologies in the E-GMP platform. Highlights include N Pedal, an intelligent software function that delivers instantaneous turn-in and enhanced throttle sensitivity for exciting cornering, and fully variable front and rear torque distribution. The IONIQ 5 N also sets a new standard in terms of emotional engagement in electric vehicle performance, thanks to N e-shift, which mimics the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission of N internal combustion engine cars, and N Active Sound+, which delivers an engaging soundtrack that highlights the power of Electric car. Yes, you can hear this EV.

Although it has only been available for a few months, the IONIQ 5 N has already received some prestigious awards, including recently being crowned World Performance Car at the World Car Awards. In December, it was named TopGear.com’s Car of the Year for 2023, and also set the fastest lap time in an electric SUV at the Nürburgring Nordschleife (the old Formula 1 circuit) with Germany’s Sport Auto. Ashley Andrew, Head of Hyundai and Genesis UK, said: “The IONIQ 5 N is a real game-changer, so we’re delighted that the experts at TopGear have named it the best electric hot hatch of 2024. It’s a very attractive, high-performance car. High-Performance Electric Car Leading efforts towards an exciting future of electric mobility.

I will definitely get one of these.