The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is without doubt one of the first electrical vehicles that I believe qualifies as a future traditional. Mark my phrases, you’ll be seeing this sucker, rightfully so, at automotive reveals without end therefore. The explanation? It has character for days. And even when a lot of that character comes by way of “synthetic,” software-based means somewhat than engineers fidgeting with mechanical tuning to placed on a present, I found that I didn’t actually care. The Ioniq 5 N is extremely enjoyable – to drive, to have a look at and to be in. I imply, this can be a 641-horsepower all-wheel-drive sizzling hatch in robin’s egg blue with orange accents that may drift, but additionally has an infinite again seat, family-friendly storage and might silently waft alongside like another EV whereas commuting or operating errands.
Scorching hatches have usually been pegged as the one automotive you’d ever want. Fairly certain this one qualifies. OK, except you need to go on a highway journey on a vacation weekend – positively lease an ICE automotive for that to keep away from public charging – however apart from that, sizzling hatch all-star.
It crackles and pops!
By the point I actually opened issues up on Mulholland Freeway, I already knew (and was very a lot amused by) the Ioniq 5 N’s synthetic engine noises and shifts. What I had but to expertise was the truth that it additionally simulates the crackles and pops of an exhaust on overrun.
Brake onerous right into a flip. The automotive rev-match “downshifts” a number of occasions, barking the “exhaust”; get again on the throttle, and in the event you elevate ever so barely … rabble rabble crackle pop. What?!? I laughed. Such exhaust histrionics have had a bent to go a bit of overboard as they’ve turn into extra widespread (bear in mind the “engineers fidgeting with mechanical tuning” from earlier?), however to have them in an electrical automotive? That’s simply ridiculous … in the most effective rattling approach doable. It’s like the way in which that The Darkness is ridiculous. It’s in on the joke and is aware of it’s ridiculous. Automotive and band are equally unabashedly loud in noise and elegance. I imagine in a factor known as love, and I really like this automotive.
‘The automotive is farting!’
I wrote the earlier “thought” after which took my son for a drive having found the Ioniq 5 N’s particular trick. The farting quote was his response. He liked it. Laughed like loopy. Between this, the multi-color ambient lighting and the blue paint job, I’m fairly certain that is his new favourite automotive. Simply thought I’d pop this in right here.
With this instrument design/format, a “tach” surrounding the gear choice signifies e-Shift is energetic. With an “analog” speedo surrounding a digital one, you could have common no-shift EV acceleration energetic.
All of the drive mode customization is extraordinarily complicated
Again to my ideas. As a lot as I really like what the Ioniq 5 N’s myriad customization settings can lead to, the consumer interface is frightfully complicated and desires a rethink. There’s a Drive mode button (wheel higher left in blue) that cycles by means of Eco, Regular and Sport. There are two massive wheel buttons labeled N, the left one a white-outlined black N and the suitable one a strong white N. The left one selects the total Habanero N drive mode or your customized mode. Now, there are Customized 1 and Customized 2 selections you may customise utilizing the touchscreen (pictured under left), however for the lifetime of me, I couldn’t determine methods to truly interact Customized 2. The white N button appears to activate the N e-Shift faux transmission perform no matter drive mode together with the at present chosen N Energetic Sound+ setting. To make that choice you must press the bodily Settings button, then the “Automobile” icon button within the touchscreen, then the “N Energetic Sound+” touchscreen button. See? It’s complicated, and I did not even dip into the track-intended touchscreen listing of options resembling N Drift mode.
There has received to be a greater technique to do all that.
I actually solely favored one of many faux noises
As gloriously ridiculous as I discovered the simulated powertrain noises, I actually solely favored one variation of the numerous mixtures obtainable: the “Ignition” setting that simulates a high-performance turbocharged four-cylinder when paired with the N e-Shift simulated gear adjustments. The sound itself truly differs relying on whether or not the “transmission” is in computerized (greater pitch) or paddle shift guide mode (deeper pitch). With out e-Shift engaged, Ignition sounds just like the automotive has a CVT, so no thanks.
There are two different N Energetic Sound+ choices. “Evolution” is described within the touchscreen as “Expertise the evolutionary future sound of electrical N” and is seemingly based mostly on what Hyundai’s RN22e prototype car appeared like. I suppose it’s clearly extra electrical in nature, and if it wasn’t for Ignition, possibly I’d be extra inclined to attempt it. Positively works higher than Ignition in the event you’re not utilizing e-Shift. The opposite is “Supersonic,” which the touchscreen describes as impressed by twin-engine fighter jets. Um, OK. It’s bizarre, I don’t get. Each sound completely nonsensical with e-Shift engaged.
To every their very own, however I would really like Hyundai to go even additional right here with extra Ignition-like engine noises. Why cease at a turbo-four? What a few candy inline-six? Flat-plane V8? Discover the house, man.
Why eight gears?
I do know Hyundai was attempting to imitate the efficiency of its eight-speed dual-clutch automated guide, however that has eight speeds for gasoline financial system functions. I suppose in the event you’re driving in guide mode on the freeway and desire a higher management of powertrain noise, having that many “gears” is useful? I don’t know, if I’m on the freeway, I’m not utilizing e-Shift in any respect, and even when I used to be, would I actually need to make my approach by means of eight gears? I don’t. Six appears sufficient.
It goes from 0 to 60 in eleventy other ways
Due to all of the described setting mixtures and sound choices, the way in which the Ioniq 5 N accelerates from 0 to 60 can differ wildly relying on what you’ve chosen at any given level. For the total, face0flattening launch, you place it in N mode and press the orange NGB steering wheel button (“N Grin Enhance”) that unleashes the automotive’s full 641 horsepower for 10 seconds (you may interact at any time when, not simply when launching). Somewhat icon illuminates telling you it’s OK to launch. Launch. No faux noises wanted for that thrill, however in order for you the expertise to be old-school, full with DIY shifts, you are able to do that too. The automotive will even allow you to hit “the rev limiter” and screw up the launch, albeit with out concern of blowing one thing up. I discussed it was gloriously ridiculous, proper?
It defies its weight and is a pleasure to flick by means of corners, too
The Ioniq 5 N weighs all the kilos, however I solely thought it was noticeable when the suspension compressed over actually massive bumps, and sometimes decrease speeds. In any other case, masterful suspension tuning and powertrain trickery, plus an e-LSD on the rear, contribute to a automotive that fortunately flung itself amongst the slender, technical, back-and-forth esses of my Santa Monica Mountains drive route. It feels massive, however positively not as massive as its dimensions would recommend. In that approach, it jogged my memory of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, which I described as an XL sizzling hatch. Possibly the Ioniq 5 N is an XXL, but it surely’s a sizzling hatch however.
It shouldn’t have guide seats
A $66,100 automotive mustn’t have guide seat adjustment. The seats themselves are phenomenal; they’re supportive over distance and for lateral motion, and I truly discovered they supplied a adequate vary of adjustment, which is uncommon for guide seats. However, it could be a royal ache to share this automotive with my 5-foot-zip spouse, which brings me to the follow-up level: No energy seats means no reminiscence settings.
Hyundai (and Kia) has ruined its infotainment system
Hyundai and Kia have been rolling out a brand new infotainment system, and I’m sorry, it’s worse. First, it’s gradual in addition up, a truth made all of the extra painful by the Ioniq 5 not having bodily controls for the heated and cooled seats (as my Kia Niro EV has). As it’s, you must wait and wait and await the system to fullly boot up and/or press verify on a lawyer display screen (above left), then press the seat local weather button (above proper), then wait, then press the seat cooling/heating button on the display screen, then exit that display screen, then go in regards to the typical leisure selection. Versus “appears down at heart console, presses button, will get on along with your life.”
Talking of leisure selection, the adjustments made to the radio interface are even worse. Track info is now not displayed alongside the channel listing (image under left). As an alternative, there’s a tiny rectangular icon within the decrease right-hand nook with an album artwork thumb and the title of the chosen channel – which is already indicated within the channel listing, by the way in which. Urgent that tiny icon takes over the complete rattling display screen with album artwork and the tune data (under proper). Let me get this straight, my selections are not any tune data or nothing however tune data? BMW and VW have additionally made this change. Why? How does somebody choose this? Worse, you may now not make the split-screen content material on the suitable facet present leisure info. So, you can also’t see what’s enjoying on the leisure system with the navigation display screen or Apple CarPlay up. Oh, however I can see a compass and climate data. Why?
Hyundai’s system was once so user-friendly, and I’d like to know why these adjustments have been made. Till my subsequent Hyundai press occasion once I can chat with somebody in-the-know …
I might purchase this automotive
Of my above gripes, the manual-only seat is the one factor that most likely couldn’t be fastened or enhanced with an OTA replace. Think about them, subsequently, constructive suggestions. In any occasion, nothing would dissuade me from placing the Hyundai Ioniq N on the pedestal for “My Favourite Automotive.” It’s an utter riot that appears cool, goes like stink, gained’t stink up the setting and is legitimately sensible. I imagine in a factor known as love …