Hyundai IONIQ 5 N vs Kia EV6 GT: Performance EV Battle

• The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N starts at $66,100 and will be available here at SB Hyundai Fairfax, VA!

If you’ve been on the internet for, i don’t know, the past couple years, you already know about the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N. Touted as the first performance EV  from the Korean automaker, the IONIQ 5 N represents a shift from the turbocharged days of yesteryear, into the world of electric performance. But that doesn’t mean the IONIQ 5 N forgets it’s N heritage. Coming equipped with a simulated manual-shift mode an N drift optimizer mode, it’s immediately noticeable that Hyundai’s new N car is highly focused on the enthusiast.

On the other hand, we have the KIA EV6 GT. Introduced back in 2021, the EV6 is meant to be a practical EV crossover, inoffensive in every way. Unless you get to the GT trim that is. Outputting over 576 horsepower, the spiritual successor the iconic Stinger, goes from 0-60 in a lightning quick 3.4 seconds.

But how do these two performance EVs compare, and which one is the better performer? Read on to learn more with SB Hyundai Fairfax, VA!

Performance Comparison

The IONIQ 5 N comes with one single trim, and is equipped with two high-performance electric motors outputting a staggering 601 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. With N Grin Boost activated, that number reaches an impressive 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph is achieved in 3.25 seconds, making the EV hothatch quicker than a 2024 BMW M3, Giulia Quadrifolgio, and Model Y Performance.

There’s no question the EV6 GT is a quick car. After all, the marketing around KIA’s performance EV heavily focused on it being quicker than the 2020 Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder RWD and 2021 Ferrari Roma. But how do the numbers add up? Similar to the IONIQ 5 N, the EV6 GT also employs two electric motors, and produces a robust 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. Power is distributed to all four wheels, and takes 3.4 seconds from 0-60 mph.

Winner: IONIQ 5 N

In terms of pure numbers, the IONIQ 5 N takes the cake. It’s simply quicker (albeit by a hair), and outputs more horsepower and torque.

Enthusiast Feature Comparison

Sure, both vehicles have an enormous amount of power, but that means nothing if it can’t be precisely controlled by the enthusiast. So which one serves the discerning driving enthusiast better? Well, to be honest, both vehicles do a great job. For the IONIQ 5 N, Hyundai has added a bunch of features to enhance the driving experience? Prefer to drive it like a Turbocharged DCT Hothatch? There’s N-eShift mode for that. Need more power passing power? N-Grin Boost adds 40+ horsepower. Need help drifting? Engage N Drift Optimizer. It’s clear that the IONIQ 5 N is built ground up for those who enjoy the act of driving.

IONIQ 5 N Enthusiast Highlights

• N-eShift
• N Grin Boost
• N Torque Distribution
• N Drift Optimizer
• Electronic Limited Slip Differential
• N Launch Control
• Drive Mode Select
• 15.7-inch front brake discs
• 14.2-inch rear brake discs
• Reinforced chassis with 42 additional welding points
• N Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS)
• Forged N 21-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P ZERO

The EV6 GT doesn’t lack either. Featuring High Performance Brakes with Quad-Piston Front Calipers, Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential, Sport Bucket Seats and GT drive mode, the GT definitely had the enthusiast in mind. But while the GT feels great to drive, the IONIQ 5 N feels and simply driver better. That’s no knock on the EV6 GT. After all, the IONIQ 5 N has a dedicated  performance division behind its development.

EV6 GT Enthusiast Highlights

• Electronic Rear Limited-Slip Differential
• Heated, GT Sport Front Bucket Seats
• Electronically Controlled Suspension
• 21-in Alloy Wheels w/ High Performance Tires

Winner: IONIQ 5 N 

Although both offer plenty of features to make the average car enthusiast giggle, the IONIQ 5 N has more features with the car-noisseur in mind.

Interested in the 2025 IONIQ 5 N? So are we! Stay tuned as we’ll post more updates when the IONIQ 5 N becomes available here at SB Hyundai Fairfax, VA. In the meantime, check out our vast inventory of Hyundai EVs.