We know the price of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and it’s steep!

650 horsepower under the right foot definitely comes at a cost. While Hyundai’s flat rate for this beast is high, is it necessarily excessive?

An all-wheel-drive system with two electric motors directly inspired by the brand’s rally experience forms the core of this high-performance electric vehicle. Hyundai’s fourth-generation 84 kWh battery delivers higher power thanks to a dual-level inverter with optimized energy efficiency, while allowing the electric motors to operate up to 21,000 rpm and generate 478 kW / 650 hp when the N Grin Boost function is activated. For purists, the N e-shift system replicates the sensations of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) found in the N models with combustion engines by controlling the torque level and simulating the jerks during gear shifts.

The sporty crossover is priced in France at 78,000 euros with no optional extras available, but significantly more affordable considering no taxes! A traditional combustion car with such performance levels is naturally taxed heavily at the point of calculation, but this 100% electric Hyundai is not.

Let’s see what the battery-powered competition has to offer to fairly assess this overcharged Korean. Built on the same E-GMP platform, the Kia EV6 GT is 3,310 euros cheaper but also slightly less powerful. In a standing-start test, the Kia only trails by a tenth, completing the sprint in just 3.4 seconds. The choice between these two electric cousins will therefore be more about style than performance or price.

The designated competitor to Hyundai is very logically Tesla Model Y Performance, offered at 59,990 euros. Even though its power is less than 500 hp, the price gap more than compensates. With a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds for the American, both are truly neck and neck. A Plaid version might tip the scales, stay tuned…

Cut the prices of the two Koreans in half, make some compromises on interior equipment and tech gadgets, and you get a MG MG4 XPOWER with 435 hp and the promise of a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 3.8 seconds. Forget about spirited driving on track, though, as the MG will quickly wear out its tires, brakes, and possibly its suspension after just a few laps.

Finally, there’s the BYD Seal Excellence at 50,000 euros offering 530 horsepower. While its incredible iTAC torque management technology allows it to tackle any corner at an almost unreasonable pace, it’s more a sporty sedan than a true sports car. But honestly, at this price point, it’s a formidable competitor!

Hyundai thus has a good window of opportunity for its mega electric toy, but this won’t last long as new, more powerful and entertaining electric cars continue to emerge.