Hyundai Motor Company extends its winning streak at the annual World Car Awards, securing the World Performance Car title for the IONIQ 5 N. This marks the company’s seventh award win in the program’s 20-year history.
The IONIQ 5 N follows a string of victories for Hyundai’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup. In 2023, the IONIQ 6 achieved a triple win (World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, World Car Design), and the IONIQ 5 did the same in 2022.
“This recognition is a testament to Hyundai’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of electric performance and innovation,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company.
A competitive win
The IONIQ 5 N triumphed over a competitive field. A jury of 100 international automotive journalists from 29 countries evaluated the car against 16 other global contenders. After rigorous testing, the IONIQ 5 N emerged victorious, beating finalists like the BMW M2 and BMW XM.
World Performance Car criteria
World Performance Car winners must meet specific criteria. These include a minimum annual production of 1 000 units, a clear focus on high performance, and availability in at least two major markets across different continents.
Solidifying Hyundai’s EV leadership
This award further solidifies Hyundai’s position as a leader in the EV industry. The IONIQ 5 N’s win highlights the company’s ability to combine electric power with exhilarating performance.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N Specifications
- Powertrain: Dual electric motors, all-wheel drive (AWD)
- Combined system output: 478 kW with boost function, 444 kW standard
- Torque: 744 Nm
- Battery capacity: 84 kWh lithium-ion
- Charging: Up to 350 kW DC fast charging, 10-80% in 18 minutes
- Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 3,4 seconds
- Top speed: 260 km/h (limited)
- Range: 447 km
- Kerb weight (DIN): 2 235 kg
- Dimensions (Length/Width/Height): 4 715 mm / 1 940 mm / 1 585 mm
- Wheelbase: 3 000 mm
Previous performance winners
By winning this award, the IONIQ 5 N joins an illustrious collection of performance cars. The winners from the last 10 years are:
- 2023 Kia EV6 GT (image above)
- 2022 Audi e-tron GT
- 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo
- 2020 Porsche Taycan
- 2019 McLaren 720S
- 2018 BMW M5
- 2017 Porsche Boxster / Cayman
- 2016 Audi R8 Coupe
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
- 2014 Porsche 911 GT3
Other categories
The overall winner of the competition, and therefore the 2024 World Car of the Year, is Kia’s large fully electric SUV, the EV9 (below). It also won the category of World Electric Vehicle.
The category winners for 2024 are:
- BMW 5 Series / i5 – World Luxury Car
- Hyundai IONIQ 5 N – World Performance Car
- Kia EV9 – World Electric Vehicle
- Volvo EX30 – World Urban Car
- Toyota Prius (below) – World Car Design of the Year
- Person of the Year – Adrian Newey, Red Bull Racing
About the World Car Awards
The World Car Awards, partnered with the New York International Auto Show for 19 years, are highly regarded within the automotive industry. Jurors include some of the world’s top automotive journalists, including South Africans Hannes Oosthuizen, Brenwin Naidoo, and Lerato Matebese.
You can read Autocar’s review of the IONIQ 5 N here.
