Hyundai Ioniq 6 N review: the best electric sports car yet?
In addition to building family-friendly SUVs and city-slicking superminis, Hyundai is also renowned for its performance cars.
The Korean carmaker’s high-performance N division has been adding a racing flavour to its model line-up since 2012.
Its first EV to gain the N moniker was the Ioniq 5, which arrived in 2024 to a rousing reception. It was deemed one of the best, most fun electric cars of the year.
Next up is the Ioniq 6, the carmaker’s electric saloon. But can it match its crossover counterpart, and blow away the competition from BMW, Porsche and Audi? Read on for our full review…
Back in 2022, Hyundai presented the RN22e concept – clearly an Ioniq 6 in signature Hyundai N blue, with huge power and simulated gears.
The success of that technology in the Ioniq 5 N, which earned widespread acclaim, including a five-star road test from our sister publication, Autocar.
Hyundai’s sporty car department is clearly very eager to introduce performance variants of several of its EVs, because the Ioniq 6 N is based on the facelifted version of the regular Ioniq 6, which we haven’t even driven yet.
Much of the Ioniq 6 N’s underpinnings are shared with the Ioniq 5 N. It sits on Hyundai’s 800V E-GMP platform, with power coming from an 84kWh battery.
A pair of electric motors produces a total of 641bhp and 568 lb ft. It’ll hit 0-100kph (0-62mph) in 3.2sec. Performance is supported by an electronically-controlled, limited-slip differential.
It gets adaptive dampers and upgraded bushings, plus steering adjustments and changes to chassis stiffness. Make no mistake: the Ioniq 6 N is built for high-performance driving.
That’s further evidenced by its design changes, consisting of wider wheel arches, a deeper splitter, and a huge swan-neck rear wing. A set of 20-inch wheels and specially designed Pirelli P Zero tyres complete the setup.
Inside, the Ioniq 6 N gets a set of supportive bucket seats, which are carried over from the Ioniq 5 N.
The driving position is far more catered towards sporty driving, though, despite sitting higher than the Polsetar 5 or the BMW M3.
The Ioniq 6N has a very different character from the Ioniq 5 N. It gets a synthetic engine note, which sounds a bit like a V6 engine from a 1990s video game.
The simulated gears are enjoyable too, especially when paired with the car’s instant torque and power.
The car is effortlessly manageable at both high and low speeds. A significant improvement over the 5 N is the ride comfort, which is noticeably better despite the shorter tyre sidewalls.
High-frequency bumps are much more effectively absorbed, resulting in a calmer driving experience.
While it remains a performance-focused car - likely featuring substantial anti-roll bars - leading to minor "head toss" on extremely uneven surfaces, it's comfortable enough for daily driving, and owners would likely be very satisfied with it.
Improvements to the steering were evident even on the first roundabout.
Previously, Hyundai's N models - including the petrol versions - were noted for a slightly artificial feel to the steering.
While precise, it often suffered from the "stiction" typical of Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) systems.
Although this characteristic hasn't vanished entirely, the steering now feels lighter, smoother, and provides a greater degree of feedback.
The 6 N boasts improved efficiency and range compared to the 5 N, largely due to its lower profile and superior drag coefficient (0.27 vs 0.31).
Its WLTP efficiency figure of 3.3mpkWh is respectable for such a fast car and translates into a very useful range increase.
While its 487km (303 miles) range isn't class-leading, its 800V architecture allows for rapid charging at speeds up to 240kW.
The Ioniq 6 N can be viewed as an evolution of the five-star Ioniq 5 N.
While it sacrifices some of the 5 N's practicality, the saloon body style gives it a more inherent feel as a driver's car than its SUV-based predecessor.
However, it doesn't quite manage to deliver the same level of excitement. This may simply be because the initial surprise of Hyundai creating a truly engaging EV has worn off.
The Ioniq 6 N occupies a unique space in the market; there's truly nothing else quite like it.
While final pricing is still to be announced, it's expected to be slightly higher than the 5 N.
It stands out when compared to pricier rivals like the Porsche Taycan, even the base model, and the BMW M3.
Furthermore, other enjoyable electric vehicles tend to be notably smaller and less functional.
