Car and Driver has announced its top electric vehicle for 2024, and the winner is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. This award highlights the Ioniq 5 N’s exceptional driving experience, rapid charging capabilities, and innovative features that resonate with both EV enthusiasts and drivers transitioning from gasoline cars.
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, priced at $67,495, stood out in Car and Driver’s rigorous annual evaluation of new and significantly updated electric vehicles. Despite being in a competitive field of 18 EVs, the Ioniq 5 N impressed Car and Driver’s editors with its overall value, engaging driving dynamics, advanced technology, and features that push the boundaries of electric vehicle innovation. According to Car and Driver, the winning EV must demonstrate technological advancements that “advance the species,” and the Ioniq 5 N delivers on this front.
This marks the third consecutive year that Car and Driver has recognized a Hyundai electric vehicle as the best in the market. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 took the title last year, and the Ioniq 5 was previously named EV of the Year in 2022. The Ford Mustang Mach-E was the inaugural winner in 2021, when Car and Driver first initiated its EV comparison.
Car and Driver Editor in Chief Tony Quiroga emphasized the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s compelling driving experience as a key factor in its victory. He noted that it successfully mirrors the feel of a traditional gasoline-powered car, which can be particularly appealing to drivers new to the EV market.
“It has a bunch of features that allow it to mimic a gas car. It has a shift mode that imitates having 8-speed transmission, when most EVs have one speed and you accelerate endlessly,” Quiroga explained in a CBS MoneyWatch interview.
Quiroga further elaborated on this “familiarity anchor,” highlighting the inclusion of synthesized sounds that emulate the engine noises of gasoline vehicles. This feature is designed to ease the transition for first-time EV owners by providing a sense of the familiar driving experience they are accustomed to.
Fast charging is another significant advantage of the Ioniq 5 N. It can recharge its battery from 10% to 90% in approximately 35 minutes, according to Car and Driver’s testing. In terms of range, the Ioniq 5 N achieved 190 miles on a full charge when driven at 75 mph on a highway. While this range is competitive, Car and Driver’s tests positioned it on the lower end compared to some other EVs evaluated.
Car and Driver’s comprehensive evaluation included electric vehicles from a wide array of manufacturers, such as Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Fiat, Fisker, Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Tesla, and Volkswagen. Notably, the Tesla Cybertruck, despite being a highly anticipated contender, faced a significant setback during testing.
Quiroga revealed that the Tesla Cybertruck’s drive shaft malfunctioned on the first day of testing, rendering it undrivable and consequently ineligible for the award. “It broke after Day 1 and did not finish, which means you can’t win the big award,” he stated.
In conclusion, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s recognition as Car and Driver’s EV of the Year for 2024 underscores its all-around excellence. Its blend of engaging driving dynamics, innovative technology that bridges the gap between EVs and gasoline cars, and practical features like fast charging, have positioned it as a leader in the electric vehicle market and a deserving recipient of this prestigious accolade from Car and Driver.
