Hyundai

Ioniq 5 N

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a high-performance derivative of the standard Ioniq 5, positioned to compete with the Porsche Taycan and BMW i4 M50 in the performance EV segment. At $66,100 it offers a single dual-motor AWD configuration producing 641 horsepower. Reviewers at MotorTrend and Car and Driver consistently highlight its N Grin Boost overboost function and its ability to simulate combustion-engine sounds and gear shifts as genuine driver engagement tools rather than gimmicks, making it one of the more viscerally entertaining performance EVs on the market.

641 hp dual-motor AWD delivers a 3.25-second 0–60 mph time, competitive with the Porsche Taycan 4S at a significantly lower price point

N Grin Boost overboost mode and simulated rev-matching gear shifts via N e-shift provide driving engagement that reviewers describe as unusually convincing for a battery-electric vehicle

800-volt architecture supports DC fast charging at up to 350 kW, enabling relatively rapid charging stops compared to 400-volt competitors

Purpose-built chassis tuning over the standard Ioniq 5 includes stiffer suspension, larger Brembo brakes, and a drift mode validated on the Nürburgring, resulting in handling balance reviewers at Edmunds and Car and Driver rated as genuinely sorted

Retains the standard Ioniq 5's practical interior volume, large frunk, and vehicle-to-load bidirectional charging capability despite the performance focus

221-mile EPA range is notably short compared to the standard Ioniq 5 RWD long-range at 266 miles, and performance driving on track reduces real-world range substantially further

Simulated engine sounds and artificial gear-change feedback are driver-selectable but add software complexity that some reviewers find distracting or incongruous with EV ownership

At $66,100 the N sits well above mainstream EV pricing, and unlike some competitors it does not qualify for the federal EV tax credit under current assembly and price-cap rules

Ride quality in default sport settings is noticeably firm for daily use, a trade-off reviewers note when comparing it to the more compliant standard Ioniq 5 platform

Polestar

Long Range Single Motor

Long Range Dual Motor

Polestar 4

The Polestar 4 is a mid-size electric SUV coupe that slots above the Polestar 2 in the brand's lineup, targeting buyers cross-shopping the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX, and Tesla Model Y Performance. Polestar positions it as a driver-focused alternative with Scandinavian interior minimalism and a polarizing rearward design choice: a fixed rear roof panel with no conventional back window. Reviewers from outlets like Car and Driver and InsideEVs have flagged both its strong dual-motor performance and the rear visibility compromise as the two traits that define the ownership conversation.

Dual Motor AWD produces 536 hp and a 3.7-second 0–60 mph time, competitive with the Porsche Macan Electric at a lower price point

Single Motor RWD delivers a 300-mile EPA range, one of the longer real-world ranges in its class at the $56,300 entry price

Interior quality draws consistent praise from Edmunds and MotorTrend for premium material choices and a clean, uncluttered cabin design more restrained than many rivals

Google-based infotainment with a large central display earns positive marks for responsiveness and native navigation accuracy compared to in-house EV systems

Rear-seat space is notably generous for a coupe-roofline SUV, with reviewers citing headroom that outperforms the similarly styled BMW X4 M50e

The elimination of a rear window in favor of a camera-based system draws widespread criticism from reviewers and owners who find the display a poor substitute for direct sightlines during parking and low-speed maneuvering

Dual Motor AWD range drops to 270 miles EPA, a 30-mile penalty versus the single-motor trim that buyers cross-shopping the longer-range Model Y Performance will notice

At $64,300 for the Dual Motor, the Polestar 4 competes directly with vehicles like the Hyundai IONIQ 6 AWD and Kia EV6 GT that offer more established dealer and service networks in North America

Charging network access relies on third-party partnerships rather than a proprietary network, and real-world DC fast charging speeds have been reported by InsideEVs as adequate but not class-leading

	Hyundai Ioniq 5 N	Polestar Polestar 4
Body type	compact crossover	compact crossover
Trims	1	2
Starting price	$66,100	$56,300
Max EPA range	221 mi	300 mi
Max power	641 hp	536 hp
Quickest 0–60	3.3 s	3.7 s
Federal tax credit	$7,500 eligible	Not eligible
Drive options	Dual-Motor AWD	Single-Motor RWD Dual-Motor AWD
	Full Hyundai Ioniq 5 N specs →	Full Polestar Polestar 4 specs →

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N vs. Polestar Polestar 4