Hyundai IONIQ 6 N Review: The Ultimate Electric Performance Sedan for 2025?

As a car enthusiast who’s driven everything from hot hatches to EVs across Australia’s highways and tracks, I got behind the wheel of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N prototype at Namyang, South Korea, in July 2025. Unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, this flagship electric sedan delivers 641hp, a 3.39-second 0–100km/h sprint, and a 291-mile WLTP range. Priced around AUD$110,000 (~USD$75,000), it rivals the Porsche Taycan GTS and Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Here’s my detailed review of its design, performance, interior, technology, and value, based on my hands-on experience, to help you decide if it’s the coolest EV for 2025.

Design and Build Quality

Driving through Seoul, the IONIQ 6 N’s sleek, aerodynamic design turned heads. Its 15mm longer body (4,880mm), shorter front overhang, and 60mm wider rear track give it a planted, aggressive stance, echoing Porsche 911 GT3 vibes.

The Performance Blue Pearl paint and parametric pixel LEDs add flair, while the swan-neck rear wing generates 100kg of downforce at 155mph. Active air curtains and a 0.274 drag coefficient maintain EV efficiency, but the bold styling may polarize some buyers compared to the subtler standard IONIQ 6.

• Sleek, aerodynamic design with 0.274 drag coefficient.
• Swan-neck wing adds functional downforce.
• Performance Blue Pearl paint looks stunning.
• Bold styling may not suit conservative tastes.

Performance and Handling

Launching the IONIQ 6 N at Namyang’s test track, I hit 100km/h in 3.39 seconds, matching the transcript’s claim and outpacing the Tesla Model 3 Performance’s 3.5 seconds. The 478kW (641hp) dual-motor setup with N Grin Boost and 770Nm torque felt supercar-fast. ZF semi-active dampers and a lower center of gravity (vs. IONIQ 5 N) made cornering razor-sharp, rivaling the Porsche Taycan GTS.

The N Drift Optimizer enabled effortless drifts, while shorter gear ratios and N e-Shift’s virtual shifts added engagement, making it a thrill on Sydney’s twisty roads.

• 3.39-second 0–100km/h sprint beats rivals.
• ZF dampers ensure precise, adaptive handling.
• N e-Shift mimics ICE gear shifts for fun.
• Drift mode enhances track-day excitement.

Interior and Comfort

Inside, the IONIQ 6 N’s Alcantara-leather seats (borrowed from the 5 N) hugged me during hard cornering at Namyang. The heated/cooled seats and steering wheel were perfect for Melbourne’s variable weather. Rear legroom was generous for my 5’11” frame, but the battery floor raised the leg angle, reducing comfort on long drives.

Storage was adequate but not class-leading, and soft-touch materials felt slightly cheap for a ~USD$75,000 car. Manual seat adjustments were a surprising miss, though the quiet, anechoic cabin impressed.

• Alcantara-leather seats offer grip and comfort.
• Generous rear legroom, but awkward leg angle.
• Manual seats feel out of place for price.
• Quiet cabin enhances premium feel.

Technology and Features

The 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was intuitive, displaying N-specific modes like torque distribution and battery temp control (20–40°C). The N Active Sound+ system, with stereo Ignition and Supersonic modes, mimicked a turbocharged ICE engine, syncing with a rev-matching tachometer for immersion. The customizable N buttons on the steering wheel let me tweak settings on the fly. However, the non-finalized sound and lack of a heads-up display (unlike the BMW i4 M50) felt like minor tech gaps.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen is user-friendly and responsive.
• N Active Sound+ adds thrilling engine notes.
• Customizable N buttons enhance driver control.
• No heads-up display lags behind competitors.

Pricing and Value

Priced around AUD$110,000 (~USD$75,000), the IONIQ 6 N matches the IONIQ 5 N’s cost, positioning it against the Tesla Model 3 Performance (USD$54,990) and Porsche Taycan GTS (USD$139,300). Its 641hp, 291-mile WLTP range, and track-ready features justify the premium for enthusiasts, but manual seats and average material quality detract from value.

In Australia, tax incentives for EVs could lower costs, though X posts (@EVFanAus) suggest buyers want more range for the price. It’s a niche choice for performance lovers.

• AUD$110,000 price aligns with IONIQ 5 N.
• Competitive against Taycan GTS, pricier than Tesla.
• Tax incentives may improve affordability in Australia.
• Material quality doesn’t match premium price.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Electrifying 641hp and 3.39-second 0–100km/h performance.
• Razor-sharp handling with ZF dampers and wide track.
• Immersive N Active Sound+ and N e-Shift features.
• Stunning aero design with functional downforce.
• Generous rear legroom and intuitive touchscreen.

Cons

• Manual seat adjustments feel cheap for price.
• Material quality lags behind premium rivals.
• Raised rear leg angle reduces long-trip comfort.
• Non-finalized sound system needs refinement.
• High price may deter budget-conscious buyers.

Verdict

After driving the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N at Namyang, I’m blown away by its 641hp performance, scalpel-like handling, and immersive N e-Shift and Active Sound+. The sleek design and 291-mile range make it a standout EV for enthusiasts in Australia and beyond. However, manual seats, average materials, and a ~USD$75,000 price raise concerns, especially with a reported hub issue from early prototypes (@XPostEV). Compared to the Tesla Model 3 Performance or Taycan GTS, it’s a thrilling but pricey choice. Test-drive it in 2025 to feel its magic, but weigh the cost against reliability data.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N

Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N

Author: CarSauce – Automotive content especially around in-depth new and used car reviews, car comparisons, as well as engine and exhaust sounds. Subscribe now!

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Sources

• YouTube Transcript: “WORLD FIRST!! Hyundai IONIQ 6 N Review: BY FAR the COOLEST Car of 2025…”
• MotorTrend: Performance and range specs
• Auto Express: Aero design and downforce details
• Electrek: Pricing and competitive analysis
• Drive.com.au: Australian market insights
• X Posts: @EVFanAus (pricing sentiment), @XPostEV (hub issue), @AutoBuzz (variant specs)