Why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N received

• Six automobiles competed for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2025, 5 of them EVs

• 5 of the rivals are thought-about crossovers or SUVs

• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was probably the most enjoyable to drive of the group

The transition from internal-combustion to electrical energy continued at a slower tempo than anticipated this yr, however you wouldn’t be capable to inform it from our record of Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2025 candidates. 5 of the six contenders had electrical energy, although that would flip subsequent yr. 

The reason being this previous yr noticed the discharge of quite a few electric-powered luxurious and efficiency automobiles. They included the primary electrical SUVs from Porsche and Acura, a performance-oriented crossover from Hyundai, an electrical ultra-luxury off-roader from Mercedes, and a considerable replace for top-of-the-line electrical SUVs we’ve ever pushed—from the startup Rivian. 

They have been joined by a performance-oriented, gas-powered coupe from Mercedes, although much more efficiency is definitely within the offing in 2025 within the type of a 63 mannequin.

Our testing this yr concerned our first drive experiences for all of the automobiles, monitor testing at Atlanta Motorsports Park, and road driving on the twisty roads of rural northern Georgia. Positive, no less than three of the automobiles appeared like fish out of water on the monitor, however that testing revealed dynamic qualities that impressed greater than anticipated. 

Observe functionality isn’t the lone qualification to earn the Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase award. We additionally search for engagement, luxurious, enjoyable issue, on-road livability, and even worth. Pushing the envelope for luxurious or efficiency may assist, and our winner, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N did simply that as the primary really sporty crossover EV available on the market. 

Under, we break down how every of our contenders carried out in our testing. We word their strengths and weaknesses, share insights from our editors on their dynamics, and clarify why they did or didn’t win.

 

Acura ZDX Sort S

Acura doesn’t do a lot to distinguish the ZDX Sort S from the step-down A-Spec mannequin. It has simply 9 extra hp for a complete of 499 hp, although torque will increase significantly from 437 to 544 lb-ft. It additionally will get larger brakes, adaptive dampers and air springs with firmer suspension tuning, barely faster steering, and larger wheels and tires. At 6,052 kilos, that’s not precisely the system for a monitor machine.

So, the Acura ZDX Sort S was out of its factor on the monitor at AMP, nevertheless it did properly in some methods in comparison with the Mercedes G 580 Electrical and Rivian R1S. Amongst these SUVs, it sits the bottom to the bottom and that makes it extra nimble on turn-in and most often mid-corner. It had one of the best, quickest steering and response among the many three, with some spectacular fast turn-in. “Raise-off-oversteer is an actual factor with this automobile,” Senior Producer Joel Feder famous. That turned out to be a very good technique to get by flip 4’s 180-degree lefthander. Nonetheless, that technique made it onerous to take care of a constant line within the large turn-7-8-9 carousel. Senior Editor Bengt Halvorson felt it didn’t have the physique management he anticipated, and Editorial Director Marty Padgett stated that the ZDX doesn’t come throughout as a extra succesful model of what’s already obtainable available on the market.

We additionally felt little confidence within the brakes; its 102-mph high pace heading into flip 1 might have risen to 110 mph or so with stronger binders. We did see 108 mph later, however our trepidation proved prescient as we overheated the brakes at that pace, inflicting the ZDX to enter limp mode. The 275/40R22 Michelin Primacy All Season tires held up higher than another summer season tires on aggressive EVs, although they couldn’t match these tires for grip.

In fact, the monitor character holds little worth for ZDX consumers, as vanishingly few, if any, will take it on a monitor. On the street, it’s snug and highly effective. Nonetheless, we see little cause Acura can cost extra for the ZDX than Cadillac costs for the associated Lyriq, and each Feder and Padgett stated they’d take the Lyriq’s typical springs and coils versus Acura’s air suspension. Padgett additionally stated that he’s at all times related Acura with a extra succesful model of what’s on the market in any other case, however to him, “this Acura’s a transparent product stopgap, one with an un-Acura-like flying carpet trip.”

Mercedes-Benz AMG G 580 with EQ Know-how

You don’t ask an offensive lineman to carry out “Swan Lake.” You don’t compete with a semi tractor in an autocross. And also you don’t take an electrical G-Class on a racetrack, however that’s precisely what we did. Predictably, the AMG G 580 with EQ Know-how proved itself a flop machine that must be wrangled by every nook, the place we skilled copious physique lean even in Sport mode. Its Falken Azenis FR520 275/50R20 tires had little grip, and it was the slowest automobile within the carousel apex. Initially, we have been solely snug with taking this flip at 65 mph, however once we found out a strategy to higher straight-line the apex we bought it as much as 72 mph. Senior Editor Robert Duffer known as it a Weeble, however famous that it had “sufficient squish within the carousel to take a set.” Halvorson agreed, saying “putting a heavy battery pack low on this tall, boxy automobile has a stabilizing impact.” Feder bought slightly extra technical: “The 4-motor powertrain asserts instantaneous management of every wheel, whether or not it’s going round flip 6 on AMP or climbing a slick-rock formation off-road.” That offers this beast wonderful off-road functionality and a stunning skill to not embarrass itself on the monitor.

With 6,746 kilos to inspire, the G 580 was additionally the slowest automobile on the straight at 98 mph. That wasn’t as a consequence of an absence of energy, although, because the G 580’s quad motors spin up 579 hp and 859 lb-ft of torque. As a substitute, it was as a result of we have been uncomfortable transferring all that weight in flip 16 main into the entrance straight or trusting the brakes to decelerate such a tall, heavy beast. 

A monitor was not the venue for this beast, because it’s constructed as a somewhat charming off-roader. Padgett known as it a “meme-worthy extremist, one with an ideal sense of self-deprecating humor,” noting that with the push of a button to activate its G Flip function, it will possibly spin in place. 

The electrical G 580 begins at a staggering $162,650, and our tester had $28,000 in choices, all of which have been both aesthetic or consolation options. At that value, you need to admire the electrical G 580’s social gathering tips in addition to its luxurious bona fides, however you don’t should name it a Greatest Automotive To Purchase winner.

Rivian R1S Tri-Max Ascend

The revised Rivian R1S doesn’t sit as little as the ZDX, nevertheless it had probably the most succesful dealing with of the massive SUVs on the monitor. That’s as a consequence of its superior suspension that mixes an air suspension with linked-hydraulic dampers developed by McLaren. Collectively they do an incredible job of counteracting physique lean. Feder known as it magic, and famous he was in a position to push it to 76 mph within the carousel apex regardless of a somewhat non-sticky set of Pirelli Scorpion MS HL275/50R22 tires. Among the many SUVs, the R1S was probably the most steady in corners because it maintained a constant line throttle on or throttle off. “Rivian didn’t construct this off-road SUV for the monitor, but it’s composed and doesn’t crumble. It doesn’t really feel high heavy. The whole factor takes a line and simply crops itself,” Feder defined.

With its tri-motor powertrain, the R1S was simply probably the most highly effective of all our contenders. Its trio of motors spins out 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, which unlocks a 3.0-second 0-60 mph time. Any time we bought onerous on the throttle, the R1S responded with a right away rush of energy, and the a number of motors aided dealing with. “With the 2 rear motors controlling torque at both rear wheel, you may come out of it with glorious grip,” Duffer famous. The massive 6,846-pound SUV hit 110 mph on the entrance straight. Nonetheless, it had the worst brake really feel, with a spongy pedal, an inconsistent chew level, and lengthy pedal journey. The brakes improved a bit as soon as we drained the battery as that allowed the R1S to include extra regenerative braking. Had we been extra assured within the brakes, the R1S might have hit 120 mph, however as Duffer stated, “you may solely go as quick as you may brake.”

General, the R1S is an incredible achievement in efficiency for such an enormous, heavy automobile with a lot of off-road functionality. Nonetheless, it might enhance with higher brakes, and maybe a distinct brake tune with a full battery. We’re followers, a lot in order that no less than two of us have considered shopping for one. “Would I choose the Hyundai or Porsche to drive out right here (on the monitor)? On a regular basis. Would I spec the R1S for my very own lifetime each day driver? I imply, I have already got, a couple of occasions,” stated Padgett.

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 4Matic

Our lone gasoline contender had the benefit of weight. That’s to not say at 4,420 kilos the AMG CLE 53 4Matic is gentle, however at 400-2,300 kilos lighter than the others it was in a position to construct comparatively extra pace within the entrance straight given its energy output. It was additionally the least highly effective entry, as its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 makes “simply” 443 hp and 413 lb-ft, the latter of which might rise to 443 lb-ft in 10-second overboost bursts. Nonetheless, we have been in a position to push it to 115 mph on the entrance straight, aided by the power to hold extra pace into flip 16 and extra confidence when braking into flip 1. There’s extra room for energy, as Feder known as it “fast sufficient, not quick.” All of us agreed that the CLE 53 made one of the best sounds, with a robust burble at idle and a roar below acceleration, however when the competitors is all artificial, that’s not saying a lot.

It additionally carried 81 mph by the carousel apex. Whereas that wasn’t the quickest of the day, it was spectacular given the delicate tune of the CLE 53’s suspension. “The extraordinarily delicate suspension setup leaves far an excessive amount of room for a steel-suspension CLE 63 to return,” noticed Padgett. “This one’s in WRX territory: softened up so the precise consumers will like it greater than the trackhounds who flog it mercilessly, out of context, on a monitor like this one.” Halvorson agreed, saying the automobile was “altogether let down by suspension and chassis controls that enable this coupe to really feel wobbly within the corners.” 

The CLE 53 had different dynamic benefits, together with sturdy grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires, nice brakes, and properly weighted, exact steering.

Add these strengths to a automobile with extra energy and a sharper tune, and also you’d have a extremely sturdy contender. That’s probably coming within the type of a CLE 63. “The delicate suspension and lack of fireplace and fury simply made me need a CLE 63 that hasn’t been launched but,” opined Feder.

Porsche Macan Turbo Electrical

Porsche is gonna Porsche. If the German luxurious model develops it, you may guess it’s going to be sporty. Porsche already made a high-performance EV within the type of the Taycan hatchback and wagon, and now it’s the crossover SUV’s flip. Regardless of its change from gasoline to electrical energy, the brand new Macan Electrical seems like a next-generation Macan. “Solely Porsche might be so constant in street really feel with this automobile to the gasoline Macan, a lot so it blurs the road for anybody undecided between the duo,” noticed Padgett. 

The Macan Electrical Turbo mannequin is the highest of the lineup. It contains a motor on every axle that mix to create all-wheel drive and a typical 576 hp and 811 lb-ft that jumps to 630 hp and 833 lb-ft with an overboost mode that’s obtainable for 10-second spurts. They’re fed by a 95-kwh battery that gives 288 miles of vary. It additionally comes commonplace with air springs, adaptive dampers, an electronically managed locking rear differential, and bigger entrance brakes (14.8-inch rotors with 6-piston calipers). Our tester additionally had the optionally available rear-wheel steering and 255/40R22 entrance and 295/35R22 rear Pirelli P Zero Corsa summer season efficiency tires. 

On the monitor, the Macan Electrical performed the hero. Sharp steering, managed physique motions, sturdy brakes, and prodigious energy had us all singing its praises. “It was exact and surgical because it carved by the AMP circuit. Kicking the rear finish out and sliding by flip 6 wasn’t a problem,” stated Feder. Certainly, after watching Feder drift the Macan by flip 6, I requested if he thought he was Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Halvorson stated it helped him drive higher. “On the monitor, the Porsche Macan Electrical is right down to enterprise and uncluttered, and a confidence-inspiring, keen companion to assist me get the quickest lap,” he stated. Duffer agreed: “Every lap gave me extra confidence to push it, and every time behind the wheel on the road or the monitor felt like a deal with.” The numbers bore out our impressions: 84 mph within the carousel apex and a high pace of 121 mph, each highs for the day.

We did encounter a few dynamic niggles. At 5,393 kilos with a lot of that weight set low, I felt a fast weight shift with every flip of the wheel earlier than the chassis took a set. Padgett stated he felt a slight disconnect between trip management and steering heft, which he attributed to softened turn-in steering weight on Porsche SUVs with rear-axle steering. And we chunked the tires. “This factor peeled layers off its rubber like slices of deli meat,” quipped Padgett. The Pirellis additionally separated on the Ioniq 5 N, so it might be the tires greater than the surplus curb weight of EVs. 

In our remaining voting it was an in depth race between the Macan Turbo Electrical and the Ioniq 5 N, however the Macan’s $107,295 beginning value and the $130,760 sticker value of our tester meant it simply didn’t current the worth of the Hyundai. Nonetheless, it’s an ideal automobile that we’d all like to have in our garages.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

For the fanatic, sporty EVs face two main points versus their gasoline counterparts, weight and driver engagement. They make few pure sounds, don’t have any want for shifts (handbook or computerized), and so they have a tendency so as to add about 1,000 kilos of unwelcome weight. Whereas the Ioniq 5 N weighs in at a somewhat portly 4,861 kilos, that made it the lightest EV in our competitors, and Hyundai bakes in plenty of fakery to each simulate engagement and enhance efficiency.

It really works, and adept chassis tuning and an enormous dose of energy don’t damage both. The Ioniq 5 N has entrance and rear motors to spin up 601 hp (641 hp with overboost) and 545 lb-ft. An N Grin Shift mode simulates eight gears with fast energy cuts throughout the “shifts,” and it makes the electrical powertrain act like a gasoline one. Nonetheless, Feder famous that it additionally makes the automobile slower round a monitor due to the cuts and the ability constructing because the faux revs construct. No worries. You may flip it off and get the total electrical expertise, which is able to pushing this automobile from 0-60 mph in simply 3.3 seconds.

Each monitor session is usually a totally different expertise, however they’ll all be entertaining. “The dynamics could be programmed six methods to Sunday for the driving force’s liking, and numerous setups could be saved to 2 totally different buttons on the steering wheel. That is straight BMW M-level stuff,” famous Feder. Drivers can select numerous settings for the steering, motors, stability management, suspension, limited-slip differential, and sound.

The Ioniq 5 N wasn’t fairly the quickest across the monitor, as we hit 82 mph within the carousel apex and 117 mph on the entrance straight. Nonetheless, it was probably the most enjoyable. “It was the Ioniq 5 N that gave me probably the most seat-of-the-pants thrills, with its open invitation to float and rotate,” enthused Halvorson. Duffer known as it a “playful bunny, hopping round all pleased and keen, then getting sly and critical with hazard approaching,” whereas Padgett stated, “the Ioniq 5 N zings, flings, and sings (or doesn’t) alongside along with your each whim.”

We have been break up on the faux sounds. I discovered them pleasant, and Halvorson stated, “the gasoline-tuner-car sounds have been so cartoonishly overdone that I couldn’t assist however grin.” Nonetheless, Padgett known as their mock sports activities automobile roar the equal of pec implants.

Whereas the 5 N had sturdy brakes, fast steering, and gut-dropping energy, we did discover two dynamic flaws. Within the dampers’ Sport and Sport+ settings, the hatchback exhibited some bounding motions heading down the hill into turns 9 and 10 when extra weight was over its nostril and the rear finish lightened up. And, like they did on the Macan Electrical, the Pirellis began to fray late within the day.

The enjoyable we had behind the wheel and the thought of an approachable EV monitor automobile (at $67,685) put the Ioniq 5 N excessive as our winner. Halvorson summed it up: “The Ioniq 5 N really opens the thought of a totally electrical monitor day to a brand new technology and a a lot wider go-fast crowd.”