600 horsepower. Just 20 years ago, this number was headline grabbing as some of the greatest enthusiast cars on the market didn't even come close to that. Even supercars like the Ferrari F430 and the Lamborghini Gallardo couldn't reach the benchmark, as it seemed the stratospheric number and those above it were only worthy of flagship supercars with price tags that could bring a tear to your eye. Today? Well, that's no longer the case.

In the last two decades, the industry has surpassed that number and then some, with nearly every self-respecting supercar pushing past the 600 horsepower mark, and even trucks and SUvs joining the club with ease. Somehow, 600 horsepower just isn't as impressive as it used to be. You can now find plenty of (relatively) affordable models on the market that will give you access to 600 horses, but one SUV reigns supreme as not only the cheapest, but maybe even the best performance vehicle of them all: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

This article compares manufacturer claims and real-world testing from our drive reviews to show you why the Ioniq 5 N is the cheapest and best 600 hp SUV on sale.

Introducing the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: The Affordable Performance SUV

If you haven't heard already, Hyundai's performance EV really is that good. Somehow, the South Korean company has found a way to combine 641 horsepower and a host of handling and chassis technology into what's essentially an entry-level EV, and found itself on top of the pack. Don't believe us? Just take a look at some of the companies benchmarking the model, most notably Lamborghini, you know, the creator of only some of the greatest sports cars of all time. An Italian automaker benchmarking a Hyundai? Times really are changing.

And before you get up in arms saying the Ioniq 5 N "isn't an SUV", just know it's classified as a compact crossover SUV, so it firmly deserves to take the top award on this list despite not having the pedigree of performance SUVs like the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat or BMW X5 M. Just because it's electric, does not mean it's lacking in brawn - it delivers performance that's better than nearly any of its rivals, simulated gear shifts and all. The car is so good, we even named it the CarBuzz's Best EV Of The Year for 2024. Not performance EV - just EV. As in, the best electric vehicle of 2024.

Performance Unleashed: The 600-HP Ioniq 5 N Designed for Excitement

What sets this electric vehicle apart from the rest? Beneath its stylish design, it boasts a robust dual-motor all-wheel-drive system fueled by a high-capacity battery. This combination produces an impressive 601 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque in regular driving conditions. However, when you activate the N Grin Boost (NGB) feature, the vehicle enhances the motors' performance, unleashing a thrilling 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, propelling it from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.4 seconds and achieving a top speed of 160 mph.

Is it the fastest electric vehicle available? Not by a long shot, but once you hit the curves, you’ll quickly forget about speed, as Hyundai has focused on maximizing driving enjoyment above all else. The N Torque Distribution system constantly adjusts torque, collaborating seamlessly with Pirelli P Zero tires to keep the car stable and responsive right up to its limits, while also providing a surprising level of feedback to the driver. Additionally, there are simulated gear shifts and corresponding sounds that enhance the overall experience. Although these features can often feel gimmicky, they surprisingly perform well in this context.

Want a little more fun? Well, just engage the drift mode, and the car will happily let its tale loose at your discretion. The car has been outfitted with an advanced thermal management system that allows for a surprising amount of track time before you need to recharge the 84.0-kWh battery pack, but when you do, the car's 800-volt architecture allows you to recoup 10-80% of range in as little as 18 minutes on the appropriate DC fast charger. The brand even says that in Endurance mode, you can complete 20 minutes of track time, charge for 20 minutes, and then head out for another 20 minute experience without breaking a sweat.

Reasons Why the Ioniq 5 N Offers Exceptional Value for Its Cost

This is just a glimpse of the incredible features this car provides, and you can own it all for a fairly competitive price of $66,100, not including destination fees. This translates to a horsepower-to-price ratio of .0096, equating to only $103 per horsepower. There are only a handful of cars available that can match this value, with most being electric vehicles.

Comparably powerful combustion SUVs like the Lamborghini Urus or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT cost more than three times as much, and even other EVs like the Tesla Model X Plaid and Rivian R1S cost thousands more.

Part of the reason the car delivers so much value for its price is because of the brand's modular E-GMP platform, which has streamlined the company's production process and lowered costs, allowing them to easily add more power and performance without breaking the bank. This means the car benefits from all the standard features of the regular Ioniq 5, like a premium, tech-focused interior, with a 12.3-inch dual screen setup, charging pad, advanced driver-assistance features, and more. You don't get power-adjustable front seats, however, but we doubt that's going to be a dealbreaker.

How the Ioniq 5 N Stands Up Against America's Most Powerful SUVs

So how does the EV really stack up against its competitors? Quite well, of course. Nearly anything else in its performance realm is out of reach for most buyers, with a few exceptions coming close, but still not living up to the Ioniq 5 N's performance specs. The only one that compares is its corporate cousin, the Kia EV6 GT, which will soon match it in horsepower and torque, but it's yet to hit the market, so we've left it out of the comparison for now. Here are some comparisons based on performance potential and designation as a crossover/SUV alone, since its natural rivals - like the Ford Mustang-E GT don't come close in terms of power.

Here are a few other SUVs that can be compared to the Ioniq 5 N regarding performance, but their performance levels and price points vary widely. The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat significantly surpasses the Ioniq 5 N in terms of power; however, its larger size compromises its handling capabilities, and it comes with a price tag that is nearly twice as high. Additionally, it’s known for its poor fuel efficiency. On the other hand, the Urus SE is designed to excel on the track and features a plug-in hybrid system, but its cost is astronomically higher, exceeding the Ioniq 5 N's price by more than four times.

The R1S is better, but still more expensive, larger, and focused much more on the off-roading type of performance than any semblance of track driving. Despite being down on power, we'd love to put the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the Hyundai head-to-head to see if the extra power of the Hyundai really puts it on top, since it offers a quicker sprint to 60 mph. It undercuts the Ioniq 5 N in price for now, but with Tesla, it's hard to say for how long. The Ioniq 5 N will become even more competitive if the brand is able to keep the price down despite it moving production to the US.

The Ioniq 5 N is on another level - it's also set the standard for how electric performance can feel just as engaging as an ICE car would around the track, which we clearly experienced in our time throwing it around corners. The brand set out to create the best performance EV on the market, and we'd say it succeeded with flying colors. There isn't another 600 horsepower SUV on the market that compares (for now), and we can't wait to see what else the brand has in store for its future N models.

Sources: Hyundai