Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: The EV That Stole MotorTrend’s Best Tech Award

In the fast-evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), it’s rare for a car to introduce a feature so revolutionary that it changes how we perceive automotive technology. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N has done just that. With its cutting-edge dual-motor powertrain and software innovations, this high-performance EV has earned the inaugural MotorTrend Best Tech award in the powertrain category—cementing Hyundai’s place at the forefront of performance EV development.

Breaking New Ground in EV Powertrains

At first glance, the Ioniq 5 N’s powertrain may seem conventional for a high-performance EV. It features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, an 800-volt architecture, and an 84-kWh battery pack. These are standard fare in premium performance EVs, but Hyundai has taken it several steps further.

• Front Motor: 273 hp, 273 lb-ft of torque
• Rear Motor: 406 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque
• Total Output: 641 hp, 568 lb-ft of torque
• 21,000-rpm Redline
• Dual-Stage Inverters for increased power output and energy efficiency

While high-end performance EVs like Tesla’s Plaid series and the Lucid Air Sapphire have explored similar territory, the Ioniq 5 N delivers these innovations at a far more accessible price point—starting at $67,575. What truly sets it apart, however, is how Hyundai has fused hardware and software to create an unparalleled driving experience.

Tuning Power with Unmatched Customization

Hyundai has taken EV customization to new heights with a suite of adjustable performance parameters, accessible via BMW-style “N buttons” on the steering wheel and the car’s infotainment system. Drivers can tweak nearly every aspect of the driving experience, making the Ioniq 5 N one of the most adaptable performance EVs ever built.

Key Customization Features:

• Drive Modes: Tailor power delivery and handling for various road and track conditions.
• Launch Control: Maximizes acceleration for blistering sprints.
• Drift Mode: Uses the rear electronic limited-slip differential and front motor to enable controlled tail-out slides.
• N Grin Boost: A push-to-pass button delivering a short burst of extra power.
• N Torque Distribution: Allows fine-tuning of the front-to-rear power split from 100/0 to 0/100 in 10% increments.
• Adjustable Regenerative Braking Feel: Enables precision weight transfer for optimized cornering.
• Sprint and Endurance Battery Conditioning Modes: Optimize power delivery and thermal management for performance and longevity.

Game-Changing EV Technologies: N e-Shift, N Pedal, and N Active Sound+

Among the Ioniq 5 N’s most groundbreaking features are N e-Shift, N Pedal, and N Active Sound+, which bridge the gap between traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) dynamics and modern EV technology.

• N Pedal: Allows drivers to adjust the front motor’s regenerative braking via paddle shifters. This feature enables precise weight transfer, resulting in sharper turn-in response and improved handling.
• N e-Shift: This software-based innovation digitally mimics the power delivery of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It interrupts power flow, simulates gear changes, and even limits downshifts or upshifts as if the car had a traditional gearbox.
• N Active Sound+: Enhances the driving experience by offering three distinct sound profiles: a simulated turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, a futuristic EV hum, or an aircraft-inspired roar.

These features completely transform the driving experience, making the Ioniq 5 N feel like an evolved form of Hyundai’s beloved gas-powered N models. The goal? To make EVs as engaging and emotional as their internal combustion counterparts.

Changing the Minds of EV Skeptics

The Ioniq 5 N isn’t just impressing existing EV enthusiasts—it’s converting die-hard ICE purists. MotorTrend’s executive editor, Mac Morrison, summed it up best:

“You can’t say a car like this won’t change anyone’s mind, because it’s factually wrong. I know this because it changed my mind. I have zero interest in an electric car as an enthusiast car, but if that’s where we’re headed, I sure as hell will immediately take a car like this over any electric car that is not like this.”

Hyundai has managed to create an EV that can adapt to multiple driving styles—whether you want the feel of a hot hatch, a grand tourer, or a track-ready sports car, the Ioniq 5 N can deliver with just a few setting adjustments.

A Historic Achievement for Hyundai’s N Program

Hyundai’s N division has rapidly established itself as a serious contender in the performance world. What started with internal combustion performance vehicles has now culminated in the Ioniq 5 N—arguably the most exciting EV Hyundai has ever built.

Director of editorial operations Mike Floyd put it best:

“There are some cars that make you feel like there’s something else there—like they’ll be talked about for years to come. This is one of those cars. What Hyundai has done in a few short years with its N program of performance vehicles is nothing short of astonishing, and as of now, the Ioniq 5 N is the pinnacle of what it's been able to achieve, gas or electric.”

 

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s combination of cutting-edge hardware, revolutionary software, and exceptional driving dynamics has set a new standard in EV performance. It’s no surprise that it has taken home the MotorTrend Best Tech award for powertrain innovation—beating out competition from Lucid and Mercedes-AMG.

The Future of Performance EVs

As the automotive industry shifts towards electrification, Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N proves that EVs don’t have to sacrifice excitement for efficiency. With its deeply customizable driving experience, game-changing software, and explosive performance, it’s clear why MotorTrend recognized the Ioniq 5 N as the most innovative powertrain of the year.

For EV skeptics and performance enthusiasts alike, the Ioniq 5 N isn’t just a glimpse of the future—it’s the beginning of a thrilling new era in high-performance electric driving.