Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 N, unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, retains its thrilling boy-racer spirit. It’s better than everything that made the Ioniq 5 our EV of the Year in 2024. Along with better handling, the 6’s impressive specs—641 horsepower and 3.2 seconds to 60 mph, among other things—should make it even more competitive with the hot hatch. Additionally, the 6 N is not the same as a standard Ioniq. The black and red accents on the outside are clear, especially when compared to the new Performance Blue Pearl paint, but it is the swan neck rear wing that racing fans will first notice. Performance Blue was the standout color for the Hyundai N, and this time it features a sleek pearl finish—smart choice. Also, since it’s a 2026 model year, the front end has been redesigned and has very small LEDs. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration generates a combined power output of 601 horsepower. However, when the N Grin Boost mode is activated, it can produce 641 horsepower for brief periods. For those unfamiliar with the Ioniq 5 N trick, it temporarily increases speed for 10 seconds while also enhancing the motor’s responsiveness for track passes. One notable benefit of the Ioniq 6 N is its wide array of impressive features, though a few of them require closer inspection. The first changed feature in the hot 6 is the updated N e-Shift, which has been tweaked to keep speed from dropping when “gear changes.” A number of performance features, including N Launch Control, N Drift Optimizer, N Grin Boost, and N Torque Distribution, are fully active at the moment. Hyundai placed more faith in this feature after seeing how well it was received by most people in the Ioniq 5 N. Better sound systems and improved soundproofing inside the car should also enhance the sound quality. The press release states that the N Active Sound + system will feature a fake exhaust system that resembles an X-pipe. However, this is more of a gradual improvement than a major change. It sounds silly in theory, and you might even enjoy it when it’s done. The Sci-Fi-inspired Lightspeed and the Racing-inspired Ignition are both made by Hyundai. The company says that its Acoustic Design Processor “delivers an enriched sound stage that makes each journey audibly immersive.” And finally, the Ioniq 6 N can utilize its 84 kWh battery to deliver peak power and conserve energy when needed. In N Battery mode, you can adjust the battery cells to the optimal temperature for drag racing, sprint racing, and endurance racing. Even so, a huge number of people still don’t think these things are important. Luckily, Hyundai continued to make significant improvements to its machines. The Ioniq 6 N features electronically controlled, stroke-sensing dampers that can be configured in various ways. This keeps things tight on the track but not too tight for your daily journey. Hyundai says the suspension geometry has been “fully redesigned” and the chassis has been “reengineered.” It becomes more stable at high speeds and easier to turn when the roll center is lowered. It “goes out of its way to not feel like an EV at all,” and Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N did very well. The Ioniq 6 N continues the trend, offering a similar experience that you’ll enjoy just as much as the Ioniq 5. This kind of divide is normal when it comes to cars: you either love them or hate them.
