The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N: A Shockingly Fun EV That Might Win Over Gas Fans originally appeared on Autoblog.
The quick and the mostly dead
For the most part, EVs are quick and efficient, but they are not particularly engaging to drive. Yes, the torque is immediate, and the sheer acceleration can be astounding, but the absence of gear changes, vibrations, and sounds makes the EV driving experience feel disconnected. There’s a visceral feel of internal combustion that simply can’t be replicated. I recognize that the tsunami-like arrival of EVs constitutes the biggest change in automotive history, but I’m just not on board yet.
Most of the EVs I’ve driven in my career as an automotive editor haven’t thrilled me much. Vehicles like the Nissan Ariya, Volkswagen ID.4, and the Toyota bZ4X put me to sleep with their quiet and isolating driving experience. On the flipside, I was pleasantly surprised by the Volkswagen ID.Buzz because it was quick, responsive, and drove very differently from its modern minivan looks. The Kia EV6 GT is an electric land rocket, and then there’s the comically insane Hyundai IONIQ 5 N. But as a middle-aged man, I also wouldn’t park any one of those in my garage based on looks alone. Don’t even get me started on Teslas, and it’s not even remotely for political reasons. I just can’t.
Then came the news of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N. 641 horsepower, all-wheel drive, special chassis tuning, and a redesigned suspension setup for track-worthiness. Like the IONIQ 5 N, it has the N eShift that simulates gear shifts via steering wheel-mounted paddles, a huge step in the right direction for performance-minded EVs. But it’s a bit more mature in its styling than the IONIQ 5 N, and that’s what I’m looking for if I were ever to consider switching to electric.
Why the IONIQ 6 N is so convincing
Before diving into performance metrics and driving dynamics, let’s talk about presence. Take one look at the IONIQ 6 N's more curvaceous sedan body, even in the bright Performance Blue Pearl paint, and it wouldn't look wrong with a grown-up behind the wheel. The sloping roofline, revised front fascia, and sculpted doors change the way the IONIQ 6 is perceived, as opposed to its hatchback/crossover sibling. There are no cut-lines in the doors, the wheels are more subdued, and even the red body trim is toned down.
The slimmed-down headlight clusters look more refined than their standard version, a revision we quite like. But make no mistake, there are still visual cues that show the world this EV means business: the black five-spoke wheels, the black grille, the black bumper/diffuser, and that fixed rear wing all add a menacing edge that looks more Nürburgring-ready than your typical EV. The IONIQ 6’s streamlined, fastback silhouette already turned heads when it debuted, but the N variant is even more dramatic. This is not your typical electric family sedan.
Hyundai didn’t just slap on a body kit and call it a day. The design serves a functional purpose. The widened stance and larger wheels, paired with sticky high-performance tires, and the downforce-generating wing make it clear: this isn’t an EV built for great range, it's one to be hammered, pushed, and enjoyed for the performance vehicle it is. So, aside from the visuals and aero bits, what's underneath it all?
Building emotion into an EV
There's no messing around with the power found in the IONIQ 6 N. It packs dual electric motors delivering an exotic sports sedan-level 641 horsepower (with N Grin Boost engaged) and a rocketship-like 0–60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. These aren’t just big numbers—they’re numbers that rewrite your expectations the moment you mash the accelerator. Yes, there are quicker EVs out there, but that's not what makes the case for me. If it's anything like the IONIQ 5 N, then it's more rewarding to drive than just about any other mainstream EV sold today.
Hyundai’s N division has translated its track-honed expertise into an electric format. The chassis is stiff, the steering sharp, and the electronically controlled suspension actively adapts to every road imperfection and driving mode. Even the regenerative braking can be fine-tuned to mimic engine braking in a manual transmission car—one of the many touches that makes ICE diehards like me feel drawn to it over less interesting fare.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: sound. For many enthusiasts, the lack of exhaust note in an EV is a deal-breaker. Passionate drivers want to hear their cars work for it. Hyundai went to work solving this with what they call N Active Sound+, essentially a system that pipes synthetic engine noise through the cabin using eight internal and two external speakers. Drivers can choose between sounds that mimic a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, a fighter jet-inspired EV whine, or a futuristic spaceship hum (the last one is fun but weird).
It’s not real, but surprisingly, it kinda works. The system is customizable, nuanced, and reactive to throttle input and gear shifts. This is a level of "engagement" that is unheard of in the EV world, and it emotionally connects you in a very different way. It's almost like you're shifting through a dual-clutch gearbox, thanks to N e-Shift, which simulates the feeling of gear changes—complete with torque interruptions. Don't draw comparisons to vegetarians and their plant-based "Almost Steak" that's meant to mimic beef. This is far more rewarding. It’s not trying to replace the ICE experience—it’s reinterpreting it in a way that honors the past while embracing the future. It's what performance EVs should strive for.
Everyday usability makes the IONIQ 6 N family-friendly
I have to drive my kids every day, and I don't want an SUV. The IONIQ 6 N has a whopping 39.2 inches of legroom the the back row, which is better than the Toyota Camry. Its headroom is limited in the IONIQ 6 N because of the sloping roof, but there's ample space for most folks, and it's cavernous for my kids. It also has a real trunk with 11.2 cubic feet of space. That's not as big as a Honda Accord, but it's more than enough for groceries, backpacks, and sports gear. Done and done.
I also don't want crappy range, but my expectation isn't at Lucid levels. Hyundai hasn’t released official range numbers as of writing, but it could end up being around 250 miles with an 84-kWh battery.. It supports 800V ultra-fast charging, allowing a 10% to 80% charge in just 18 minutes under optimal conditions. So even if you’re burning electrons on a spirited run, getting charged back up to near capacity won't take long.
Then there’s the cabin: sporty yet comfortable, with heavily bolstered N sport seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and intuitive infotainment. Performance data is also at your fingertips thanks to specific displays for N Mode that provide real-time data on the vehicle's G-force during acceleration, braking, and cornering. It will also time your laps and acceleration figures via the Performance Timer. There's even an N Track Manager that allows drivers to create custom tracks, monitor speed data, and analyze performance with real-time ghost car visuals. Try that in your ID.Buzz.
As insane as the IONIQ 6 N is from a performance standpoint, it's still a four-door sedan, so there's very little compromise for the kind of figures it puts down. Hyundai understands that straight-line quickness isn't enough to satisfy driving enthusiasts; engagement really does matter. It would've been enough to build the IONIQ 5 N, but they went one more step and created a sedan version that tugs at our automotive heartstrings. The IONIQ 6 N offers performance and practicality with a dose of mature looks. Who says you can't have it all?
Final thoughts
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N is about as close as I might get to converting to electric. It isn’t just a good electric performance car—it’s a driver's car, period. It’s a car that makes lifelong gearheads like me stop and think: If this is what EVs can be, maybe the future isn’t so bleak after all. Hyundai has done what few thought possible: they’ve built an EV that makes ICE folks do a double-take. For the first time, I’m seriously considering putting down the gas pump and plugging in instead. Driving it will be the final litmus test. I can't wait.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N: A Shockingly Fun EV That Might Win Over Gas Fans first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 10, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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