In a surprising turn for the performance EV world, Porsche executives are openly praising Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N after several test drives, calling the electric sports car “eye-opening” and hinting that Porsche may adopt some of its driver-focused features according to an interview with Drive. The acknowledgement highlights how quickly Hyundai has become a disruptive force in high-performance electric mobility.
Porsche Says Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 N Sets a New Benchmark
Frank Moser, Porsche’s vice president overseeing the 911 and 718 model lines, revealed to Australian media at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai that Hyundai’s electric hot hatch left a strong impression.
“We learnt a lot from that. I drove it several times. They made it really, really good,” Moser said, noting that the IONIQ 5 N exceeded expectations for a vehicle from a non-traditional performance brand.
And he wasn’t the only one impressed. Andreas Preuninger, the head of Porsche’s GT division and the mastermind behind the 911 GT3 and other track-focused icons, also tested Hyundai’s EV. According to Moser, both executives were surprised by how engaging and dynamic the IONIQ 5 N felt, particularly when using features designed to enhance driver excitement.
N Grin Boost and Virtual Gear Shifts Capture Porsche’s Attention
The feature that stood out most to Porsche’s leadership was Hyundai’s N Grin Boost (NGB). When activated, NGB unlocks the vehicle’s maximum performance for ten seconds, pushing the IONIQ 5 N to 641 hp and 545 lb-ft of torque. This delivers a blistering 0–60 mph time of roughly 3.25 seconds.
“We entered the car and I pressed the button [N Grin Boost], and he was ‘Wow’. They did something which was impressive,” Moser said.
Hyundai’s other performance-focused technologies also drew attention. Features such as N e-Shift and N Active Sound+ simulate traditional high-performance characteristics, including gear-shift jolts and engine acoustics reminiscent of combustion-powered sports cars. Moser acknowledged that virtual sounds and gear-shift sensations could play a larger role in the EV experience, as long as drivers have the option to turn them off.
“The customer could decide if he wants to drive in complete silent mode, or he wants to be part of the game, feeling the virtual sounds of a flat six and the virtual gear shifts,” Moser explained. “That would be the direction for the future.”
Hyundai’s Expanding N Performance EV Lineup Raises the Stakes
Hyundai is already accelerating its EV performance strategy. The brand’s second electric sports car, the IONIQ 6 N, made its North American debut last week. With proportions similar to the Porsche Taycan but an expected price tag roughly half as large, the IONIQ 6 N could further intensify competition in the performance EV market.
Meanwhile, Porsche is preparing its own next-generation electric sports cars. Following the recent debut of the electric Cayenne, the automaker plans to introduce the 718 Boxster and Cayman EVs as soon as next year, targeting the 2027 model year.
A Shift in the EV Performance Landscape
Porsche’s public admiration for Hyundai’s work is notable. Long recognized as the benchmark in driver engagement and motorsport engineering, Porsche now appears willing to adapt and evolve based on what Hyundai has brought to the segment.
As EVs reshape performance engineering, the IONIQ 5 N has proven that innovation can come from unexpected places. With both Hyundai and Porsche pushing the boundaries of what an electric sports car can be, the next generation of performance EVs promises to be more dynamic, more engaging, and more competitive than ever.
