As we can all recall from our school days, “N” is the unknown quantity that too often remains unknown during maths exams, particularly if you haven’t done your homework and learnt the rules.

But anything ‘unknown’ about Hyundai’s IONIC N-Series disappears instantly when you press the yellow “NGB” button on the right-hand spoke of the leather-bound steering wheel, press your head against the headrest – to avoid whiplash – and bury the throttle.

Just under 3.5 seconds later, you’ve reached 100km/h without the slightest hesitation. It’s a seamless, surge of urge that pushed your intestines so firmly against your backbone that if you’re not ready for it, nausea can arise – as it did with a family member who’d never experienced this kind of acceleration before.

At first glance, the Ioniq 5 N looks like a retro-futuristic hatchback that took styling cues from the ‘80s, then hit the gym. But underneath the crisp origami-like panels is a dual-motor setup pumping out a staggering 448kW (boosted to 478kW on overboost) and 740Nm of torque. That’s not just quick—that’s supercar-fast, with 0–100km/h flashing by in 3.4 seconds. Yes, from a Hyundai.

Naturally, with all that urge, you’d be thinking servicing costs are through the roof. Nope. Service intervals are every two years or 30,000kms, and the estimated cost for the first cycle is $625. That’s what you’d pay just for the service booking for a fluorescent Italian supercar (which would be slower!)

The N division—previously known for hot hatches like the i30 N—has brought its mischief to the EV world with a few party tricks. There’s fake engine noise (N Active Sound+), a simulated gearbox (N e-Shift), and even a system that mimics rev-matching. It’s absurd, unnecessary… and hugely entertaining. You’ll grin like a kid playing Mario Kart.

Inside, it’s as sculpted as the outside is geometric. N sport seats grip your torso like US Immigration Agents grab – well, anybody. There’s a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a matching infotainment screen, and all the EV data you never knew you needed—torque split, regen levels, battery temp, and lap timers, naturally.

Despite all this madness, the Ioniq 5 N is still an electric car—meaning it’s also refined, silent (when it wants to be), and practical. There’s a 480km range (WLTP), 350kW ultra-fast charging, and generous cargo space. The suspension is adjustable, the ride tolerable for daily use, and you can even fit the family without a crowbar.

Of course, this much electric brilliance doesn’t come cheap—at around $111,000 drive-away, it’s Hyundai’s most expensive car ever. But it’s also their most outrageous, most advanced, and quite possibly most lovable.

All that’s missing is – soul. The pedigree of high performance is an experience that fizzes through the seat and plays a mechanical tune with your eardrums. This car is so smooth, so quiet, you have to reset your expectations and focus solely on the elapsed time.

Then again, in the real world, which is most of the time, you’ll be thinking of how the throttle bites, how the regen behaves in stop-start traffic, and whether the fake engine sounds make you laugh or cringe.

Could I live with it? Could I ever!

But I’m not sure how I’d explain the dent in the super fund . . .

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – Key Specs

Feature	Details
Powertrain	Dual electric motors (AWD)
Max Power/Torque	478kW / 770Nm (up to 650PS boost)
0–100 km/h	3.4 seconds
Battery Capacity	84.0 kWh
Range (WLTP)	448–480 km
Charging	Up to 350kW DC (10–80% in ~18 mins)
Wheels/Tyres	21″ alloys, performance rubber
Weight	~2,200kg
Warranty	5 yrs vehicle / 8 yrs battery
List Price (plus on roads)	$110,383