An Unexpected Brand Just Became a Serious Contender in the Sport Sedan Category

When you hear the phrase “performance sedan,” what brands come to mind first? BMW? Audi? Lexus? Maybe even Subaru (I see you, WRX fans)? I’d bet dollars to dimes that South Korean marque Hyundai is not on the list.

Well, if the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is any indication, maybe it’s time for that to change. Not only does this car look great, but it packs a hell of a performance spec sheet, too.

Hyundai

Go, go, power ranger!

Okay, so there’s something that needs to be said right off the bat: this is an electric car. Those familiar with the Ioniq series won’t be surprised, but it bears mentioning nonetheless.

Don’t let that scare you petrol-heads off, though. Otherwise, you might miss what really makes this car special. Thanks to its performance-focused engine system, this little speed demon packs a whopping 641 horsepower. Yes, you read that correctly.

Hyundai

That’s monstrous by any measure, but pack that into this little four-door and you’ve got yourself a serious wolf in sheep’s clothing. It also pumps out 567.9 ft-lb of torque. Together with its horsepower, that means it can hit 0-62 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds and max out at just under 160 mph.

That quickness puts it on par with vehicles like the BMW M3 Competition Sedan, Aston Martin Vantage and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. It’s unclear what, if anything, the Hyundai engineers were smoking when they proposed this car, but I’m not going to complain about it.

Hyundai

If looks could thrill

While the performance numbers are enough to get excited about, even for those still skeptical of EVs (but, like, why?), they’re far from the only things this car has going for it. For instance, the Ioniq 6 N’s looks will do much of the heavy lifting in getting people interested.

For starters, it’s not an SUV. In a world where more and more cars are going the way of the dodo in favor of bulbous sport utility vehicles — and some, like the Mustang, even metamorphosizing — that scores it major points. It doesn’t hurt that this car has pleasing curves, culminating in a sleek fastback that toes the line between sedan and hot hatch.

Hyundai

It has semi-futuristic headlights that are so slender, they almost look like they’re squinting to combat the wind in their eyes. Plus, there are other touches, like the sporty bright red brake calipers that match the thin red line that skirts the undercarriage.

Even the interior is both tech- and sport-focused. It includes a large touchscreen infotainment system, paddle shifters that mimic traditional gas-powered gearboxes, a powerful sound system and ambient lighting. It even has a speedometer projection for the windshield, meaning you can keep your eyes locked on the road while you race down it.

Hyundai has come a long way. If this is an indication of the future, I’m excited to see what comes next.

Hyundai

Pricing and availability

Unfortunately, there’s no specific release date or pricing for the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N electric sport sedan yet. However, the brand expects to release it between late 2025 and early 2026. Based on its specs, interested customers should expect pricing to start around $60,000.

Hyundai

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

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