Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Named Best Performance EV for 2026

Discover why Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N was named Best Performance EV in Car Talk’s Best EVs of 2026, featuring 650 PS, track-ready tech and fast charging.

Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N has been named Best Performance EV in Car Talk’s Best EVs of 2026 awards. The annual honors recognize electric and plug-in hybrid models that are new or significantly updated for the model year, with winners selected across ten categories by the editorial team. The standard IONIQ 5 was also recommended as Best Battery-Electric Hatchback, and the model previously earned Best EV overall in 2025.

The N version represents far more than a performance trim. Built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the IONIQ 5 N delivers up to 478 kW (650 PS) with N Grin Boost engaged. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4–3.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 260 km/h. Power comes from an 84 kWh battery, providing up to 448 kilometers of WLTP range. Under optimal conditions, DC fast charging can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in around 18 minutes, with peak charging power of approximately 239 kW.

Hyundai positions the IONIQ 5 N as a track-capable electric vehicle engineered for sustained high performance. Key features include N e-Shift and N Active Sound+, systems designed to simulate gear changes and the acoustic character of a conventional performance car. The approach aims to preserve emotional driver engagement in the electric era. Complementing these technologies are a performance-focused suspension setup, upgraded braking hardware, and dedicated drive modes including drift-oriented settings.

For the 2026 model year, Hyundai states that the IONIQ 5 N gains a NACS charging port, intended to simplify charging access and broaden compatibility in North America. At the same time, official technical documentation also references CCS, suggesting possible market-specific configurations.

In Germany, the IONIQ 5 N carries a recommended starting price of €74,900, positioning it as the flagship of the IONIQ 5 lineup. Independent road and track evaluations underline its focus on chassis precision, stability under load, and repeatable performance. The Car Talk recognition reinforces its standing among the most prominent performance-focused EVs entering 2026, highlighting Hyundai’s continued expansion of its N division into the fully electric segment.