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Hyundai's electric hyper hatch, the IONIQ 5 N has made a remarkable debut by clinching the title of 'Car of the Year' at the 2023 TopGear.com Awards.
Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, the IONIQ 5 N received widespread praise as a thrilling new option for driving enthusiasts seeking to electrify their passion on both roads and tracks. It also received recognition as a pioneering technological blueprint for the Hyundai N division's EV future.
This high performance electric model combines the Electrified-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) of the standard IONIQ 5 – the 2022 World Car of the Year – with N's motorsport-inspired technologies and expertise, the result being an elevated and exhilarating driving experience designed to push the boundaries.
This maximum enjoyment and excitement behind the wheel of the IONIQ 5 N is what persuaded the judges at TopGear to name this EV hyper hatch the overall car of the year for 2023.
Top Gear Writer and Car of the Year Juror, Paul Horrell has his say:
"Hyundai’s engineers set out to make the IONIQ 5 N feel like a lairy petrol car, but became converts to what electrification could do. They took advantage of an EV’s digital domains to give a vast extra set of adjustable parameters. As a result, on road and track it does what you’d never expect of a big EV… overdelivers to a staggering extent. Forget any ‘for an EV’ qualifiers – it’s huge fun full stop. It turns a page for electric cars, which means a new page for cars."
The IONIQ 5 N’s success marks the second time in three years that a Hyundai N car has taken the Top Gear Car of the Year honour, following the i20 N in 2021.
Among the notable technological advancements that impressed the judges in the IONIQ 5 N is its powertrain, boasting increased power output and improved performance in battery cooling and braking. The electric motors of the IONIQ 5 N can reach a remarkable 21,000 RPM, delivering up to 609 PS under normal conditions and a robust 650 PS when engaging the car's N Grin Boost (NGB) feature, offering maximum acceleration for up to 10 seconds. An acceleration from 0-62mph takes a mere 3.4 seconds, and the car can achieve a top speed of 161mph on tracks.
Thanks to a whole host of upgrades, an unforgettable drive is guaranteed in the IONIQ 5 N. Such upgrades include reinforced steering column for better feedback, Electronic Controlled Suspension that adjusts suspension stiffness based on the drive mode, and advanced electronic control technology within the E-GMP platform.
Setting a new standard for emotional engagement in performance EV's, the IONIQ 5 N introduces N e-shift which simulates the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission of internal combustion engine N cars, and N Active Sound+, which provides a compelling soundtrack that highlights the EV’s power.
Order books are now open for the IONIQ 5 N with prices starting from £65,000.
Hyundai's remarkable product range has garnered significant recognition, with TopGear.com's award being the latest addition. In April, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 achieved the prestigious titles of World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and World Car Design of the Year, mirroring the success of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in 2022.
In April, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 secured prestigious titles such as World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and World Car Design of the Year, mirroring the success of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in 2022. The IONIQ 6 further received distinctions as Saloon of the Year by GQ and Best Company Car by Autocar. Auto Express honored the TUCSON as the Best Mid-size SUV, and the New i10 was named Best City Car. WhatCar? recognized the SANTA FE as Seven-seater of the Year, while the All-New KONA and the i20 N triumphed in the Carbuyer awards, earning titles for Best Small Family Car and Best Hot Hatch, respectively.
