Why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N gained

• Six automobiles competed for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2025, 5 of them EVs

• 5 of the opponents are thought-about crossovers or SUVs

• The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N was essentially the most enjoyable to drive of the group

The transition from internal-combustion to electrical energy continued at a slower tempo than anticipated this yr, however you wouldn’t be capable to inform it from our checklist of Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2025 candidates. 5 of the six contenders had electrical energy, although that would flip subsequent yr. 

The reason being this previous yr noticed the discharge of quite a few electric-powered luxurious and efficiency automobiles. They included the primary electrical SUVs from Porsche and Acura, a performance-oriented crossover from Hyundai, an electrical ultra-luxury off-roader from Mercedes, and a considerable replace for top-of-the-line electrical SUVs we’ve ever pushed—from the startup Rivian. 

They had been joined by a performance-oriented, gas-powered coupe from Mercedes, although much more efficiency is actually within the offing in 2025 within the type of a 63 mannequin.

Our testing this yr concerned our first drive experiences for all of the automobiles, observe testing at Atlanta Motorsports Park, and road driving on the twisty roads of rural northern Georgia. Positive, at the very least three of the automobiles appeared like fish out of water on the observe, however that testing revealed dynamic qualities that impressed greater than anticipated. 

Monitor functionality isn’t the lone qualification to earn the Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase award. We additionally search for engagement, luxurious, enjoyable issue, on-road livability, and even worth. Pushing the envelope for luxurious or efficiency can even assist, and our winner, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N did simply that as the primary actually sporty crossover EV available on the market. 

Beneath, we break down how every of our contenders carried out in our testing. We be aware their strengths and weaknesses, share insights from our editors on their dynamics, and clarify why they did or didn’t win.

2024 Acura ZDX Sort S

2024 Acura ZDX Sort S

2024 Acura ZDX Sort S

Acura ZDX Sort S

Acura doesn’t do a lot to distinguish the ZDX Sort S from the step-down A-Spec mannequin. It has simply 9 extra hp for a complete of 499 hp, although torque will increase significantly from 437 to 544 lb-ft. It additionally will get larger brakes, adaptive dampers and air springs with firmer suspension tuning, barely faster steering, and larger wheels and tires. At 6,052 kilos, that’s not precisely the formulation for a observe machine.

So, the Acura ZDX Sort S was out of its ingredient on the observe at AMP, but it surely did properly in some methods in comparison with the Mercedes G 580 Electrical and Rivian R1S. Amongst these SUVs, it sits the bottom to the bottom and that makes it extra nimble on turn-in and usually mid-corner. It had the perfect, quickest steering and response among the many three, with some spectacular speedy turn-in. “Raise-off-oversteer is an actual factor with this automotive,” Senior Producer Joel Feder famous. That turned out to be an excellent technique to get by way of flip 4’s 180-degree lefthander. Nonetheless, that technique made it exhausting to take care of a constant line within the huge turn-7-8-9 carousel. Senior Editor Bengt Halvorson felt it didn’t have the physique management he anticipated, and Editorial Director Marty Padgett stated that the ZDX doesn’t come throughout as a extra succesful model of what’s already accessible available on the market.

We additionally felt little confidence within the brakes; its 102-mph high pace heading into flip 1 might have risen to 110 mph or so with stronger binders. We did see 108 mph later, however our trepidation proved prescient as we overheated the brakes at that pace, inflicting the ZDX to enter limp mode. The 275/40R22 Michelin Primacy All Season tires held up higher than another summer season tires on aggressive EVs, although they couldn’t match these tires for grip.

In fact, the observe character holds little worth for ZDX patrons, as vanishingly few, if any, will take it on a observe. On the highway, it’s comfy and highly effective. Nonetheless, we see little cause Acura can cost extra for the ZDX than Cadillac prices for the associated Lyriq, and each Feder and Padgett stated they’d take the Lyriq’s standard springs and coils versus Acura’s air suspension. Padgett additionally stated that he’s at all times related Acura with a extra succesful model of what’s on the market in any other case, however to him, “this Acura’s a transparent product stopgap, one with an un-Acura-like flying carpet journey.”

2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Know-how

2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Know-how

2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Know-how

Mercedes-Benz AMG G 580 with EQ Know-how

You don’t ask an offensive lineman to carry out “Swan Lake.” You don’t compete with a semi tractor in an autocross. And also you don’t take an electrical G-Class on a racetrack, however that’s precisely what we did. Predictably, the AMG G 580 with EQ Know-how proved itself a flop machine that must be wrangled by way of every nook, the place we skilled copious physique lean even in Sport mode. Its Falken Azenis FR520 275/50R20 tires had little grip, and it was the slowest car within the carousel apex. Initially, we had been solely comfy with taking this flip at 65 mph, however once we found out a approach to higher straight-line the apex we acquired it as much as 72 mph. Senior Editor Robert Duffer known as it a Weeble, however famous that it had “sufficient squish within the carousel to take a set.” Halvorson agreed, saying “inserting a heavy battery pack low on this tall, boxy car has a stabilizing impact.” Feder acquired a little bit extra technical: “The 4-motor powertrain asserts immediate management of every wheel, whether or not it’s going round flip 6 on AMP or climbing a slick-rock formation off-road.” That provides this beast superb off-road functionality and a stunning potential to not embarrass itself on the observe.

With 6,746 kilos to encourage, the G 580 was additionally the slowest car on the straight at 98 mph. That wasn’t as a result of an absence of energy, although, because the G 580’s quad motors spin up 579 hp and 859 lb-ft of torque. As an alternative, it was as a result of we had been uncomfortable transferring all that weight in flip 16 main into the entrance straight or trusting the brakes to decelerate such a tall, heavy beast. 

A observe was not the venue for this beast, because it’s constructed as a slightly charming off-roader. Padgett known as it a “meme-worthy extremist, one with a terrific sense of self-deprecating humor,” noting that with the push of a button to activate its G Flip function, it could spin in place. 

The electrical G 580 begins at a staggering $162,650, and our tester had $28,000 in choices, all of which had been both aesthetic or consolation options. At that value, it’s a must to admire the electrical G 580’s occasion methods in addition to its luxurious bona fides, however you don’t need to name it a Greatest Automotive To Purchase winner.

2025 Rivian R1S

2025 Rivian R1S

2025 Rivian R1S

Rivian R1S Tri-Max Ascend

The revised Rivian R1S doesn’t sit as little as the ZDX, but it surely had essentially the most succesful dealing with of the large SUVs on the observe. That’s as a result of its superior suspension that mixes an air suspension with linked-hydraulic dampers developed by McLaren. Collectively they do a tremendous job of counteracting physique lean. Feder known as it magic, and famous he was in a position to push it to 76 mph within the carousel apex regardless of a slightly non-sticky set of Pirelli Scorpion MS HL275/50R22 tires. Among the many SUVs, the R1S was essentially the most steady in corners because it maintained a constant line throttle on or throttle off. “Rivian didn’t construct this off-road SUV for the observe, but it’s composed and doesn’t disintegrate. It doesn’t really feel high heavy. All the factor takes a line and simply crops itself,” Feder defined.

With its tri-motor powertrain, the R1S was simply essentially the most highly effective of all our contenders. Its trio of motors spins out 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft of torque, which unlocks a 3.0-second 0-60 mph time. Any time we acquired exhausting on the throttle, the R1S responded with a right away rush of energy, and the a number of motors aided dealing with. “With the 2 rear motors controlling torque at both rear wheel, you may come out of it with wonderful grip,” Duffer famous. The massive 6,846-pound SUV hit 110 mph on the entrance straight. Nonetheless, it had the worst brake really feel, with a spongy pedal, an inconsistent chunk level, and lengthy pedal journey. The brakes improved a bit as soon as we drained the battery as that allowed the R1S to include extra regenerative braking. Had we been extra assured within the brakes, the R1S might have hit 120 mph, however as Duffer stated, “you may solely go as quick as you may brake.”

General, the R1S is a tremendous achievement in efficiency for such an enormous, heavy car with a lot of off-road functionality. Nonetheless, it might enhance with higher brakes, and maybe a unique brake tune with a full battery. We’re followers, a lot in order that at the very least two of us have thought of shopping for one. “Would I desire the Hyundai or Porsche to drive out right here (on the observe)? On a regular basis. Would I spec the R1S for my very own lifetime every day driver? I imply, I have already got, a number of instances,” stated Padgett.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53

Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 53 4Matic

Our lone gasoline contender had the benefit of weight. That’s to not say at 4,420 kilos the AMG CLE 53 4Matic is gentle, however at 400-2,300 kilos lighter than the others it was in a position to construct comparatively extra pace within the entrance straight given its energy output. It was additionally the least highly effective entry, as its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 makes “simply” 443 hp and 413 lb-ft, the latter of which might rise to 443 lb-ft in 10-second overboost bursts. Nonetheless, we had been in a position to push it to 115 mph on the entrance straight, aided by the power to hold extra pace into flip 16 and extra confidence when braking into flip 1. There’s extra room for energy, as Feder known as it “fast sufficient, not quick.” All of us agreed that the CLE 53 made the perfect sounds, with a robust burble at idle and a roar underneath acceleration, however when the competitors is all artificial, that’s not saying a lot.

It additionally carried 81 mph by way of the carousel apex. Whereas that wasn’t the quickest of the day, it was spectacular given the mushy tune of the CLE 53’s suspension. “The extraordinarily mushy suspension setup leaves far an excessive amount of room for a steel-suspension CLE 63 to come back,” noticed Padgett. “This one’s in WRX territory: softened up so the precise patrons will like it greater than the trackhounds who flog it mercilessly, out of context, on a observe like this one.” Halvorson agreed, saying the automotive was “altogether let down by suspension and chassis controls that permit this coupe to really feel wobbly within the corners.” 

The CLE 53 had different dynamic benefits, together with sturdy grip from the Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires, nice brakes, and properly weighted, exact steering.

Add these strengths to a automotive with extra energy and a sharper tune, and also you’d have a extremely sturdy contender. That’s possible coming within the type of a CLE 63. “The mushy suspension and lack of fireside and fury simply made me need a CLE 63 that hasn’t been launched but,” opined Feder.

2024 Porsche Macan Electrical Turbo

2024 Porsche Macan Electrical Turbo

2024 Porsche Macan EV

Porsche Macan Turbo Electrical

Porsche is gonna Porsche. If the German luxurious model develops it, you may guess it’s going to be sporty. Porsche already made a high-performance EV within the type of the Taycan hatchback and wagon, and now it’s the crossover SUV’s flip. Regardless of its change from gasoline to electrical energy, the brand new Macan Electrical looks like a next-generation Macan. “Solely Porsche may very well be so constant in highway really feel with this automotive to the gasoline Macan, a lot so it blurs the road for anybody undecided between the duo,” noticed Padgett. 

The Macan Electrical Turbo mannequin is the highest of the lineup. It encompasses a motor on every axle that mix to create all-wheel drive and a typical 576 hp and 811 lb-ft that jumps to 630 hp and 833 lb-ft with an overboost mode that’s accessible for 10-second spurts. They’re fed by a 95-kwh battery that gives 288 miles of vary. It additionally comes commonplace with air springs, adaptive dampers, an electronically managed locking rear differential, and bigger entrance brakes (14.8-inch rotors with 6-piston calipers). Our tester additionally had the elective rear-wheel steering and 255/40R22 entrance and 295/35R22 rear Pirelli P Zero Corsa summer season efficiency tires. 

On the observe, the Macan Electrical performed the hero. Sharp steering, managed physique motions, sturdy brakes, and prodigious energy had us all singing its praises. “It was exact and surgical because it carved by way of the AMP circuit. Kicking the rear finish out and sliding by way of flip 6 wasn’t a difficulty,” stated Feder. Certainly, after watching Feder drift the Macan by way of flip 6, I requested if he thought he was Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Halvorson stated it helped him drive higher. “On the observe, the Porsche Macan Electrical is right down to enterprise and uncluttered, and a confidence-inspiring, prepared accomplice to assist me get the quickest lap,” he stated. Duffer agreed: “Every lap gave me extra confidence to push it, and every time behind the wheel on the road or the observe felt like a deal with.” The numbers bore out our impressions: 84 mph within the carousel apex and a high pace of 121 mph, each highs for the day.

We did encounter a few dynamic niggles. At 5,393 kilos with a lot of that weight set low, I felt a fast weight shift with every flip of the wheel earlier than the chassis took a set. Padgett stated he felt a slight disconnect between journey management and steering heft, which he attributed to softened turn-in steering weight on Porsche SUVs with rear-axle steering. And we chunked the tires. “This factor peeled layers off its rubber like slices of deli meat,” quipped Padgett. The Pirellis additionally separated on the Ioniq 5 N, so it could be the tires greater than the surplus curb weight of EVs. 

In our last voting it was an in depth race between the Macan Turbo Electrical and the Ioniq 5 N, however the Macan’s $107,295 beginning value and the $130,760 sticker value of our tester meant it simply didn’t current the worth of the Hyundai. Nonetheless, it’s a terrific car that we might all like to have in our garages.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

For the fanatic, sporty EVs face two main points versus their gasoline counterparts, weight and driver engagement. They make few pure sounds, haven’t any want for shifts (handbook or automated), and so they have a tendency so as to add about 1,000 kilos of unwelcome weight. Whereas the Ioniq 5 N weighs in at a slightly portly 4,861 kilos, that made it the lightest EV in our competitors, and Hyundai bakes in plenty of fakery to each simulate engagement and enhance efficiency.

It really works, and adept chassis tuning and an enormous dose of energy don’t damage both. The Ioniq 5 N has entrance and rear motors to spin up 601 hp (641 hp with overboost) and 545 lb-ft. An N Grin Shift mode simulates eight gears with fast energy cuts throughout the “shifts,” and it makes the electrical powertrain act like a gasoline one. Nonetheless, Feder famous that it additionally makes the automotive slower round a observe due to the cuts and the facility constructing because the pretend revs construct. No worries. You’ll be able to flip it off and get the complete electrical expertise, which is able to pushing this automotive from 0-60 mph in simply 3.3 seconds.

Each observe session is usually a completely different expertise, however they’ll all be entertaining. “The dynamics could be programmed six methods to Sunday for the motive force’s liking, and numerous setups could be saved to 2 completely different buttons on the steering wheel. That is straight BMW M-level stuff,” famous Feder. Drivers can select numerous settings for the steering, motors, stability management, suspension, limited-slip differential, and sound.

The Ioniq 5 N wasn’t fairly the quickest across the observe, as we hit 82 mph within the carousel apex and 117 mph on the entrance straight. Nonetheless, it was essentially the most enjoyable. “It was the Ioniq 5 N that gave me essentially the most seat-of-the-pants thrills, with its open invitation to float and rotate,” enthused Halvorson. Duffer known as it a “playful bunny, hopping round all blissful and keen, then getting sly and critical with hazard approaching,” whereas Padgett stated, “the Ioniq 5 N zings, flings, and sings (or doesn’t) alongside along with your each whim.”

We had been break up on the pretend sounds. I discovered them pleasant, and Halvorson stated, “the gasoline-tuner-car sounds had been so cartoonishly overdone that I couldn’t assist however grin.” Nonetheless, Padgett known as their mock sports activities automotive roar the equal of pec implants.

Whereas the 5 N had sturdy brakes, fast steering, and gut-dropping energy, we did discover two dynamic flaws. Within the dampers’ Sport and Sport+ settings, the hatchback exhibited some bounding motions heading down the hill into turns 9 and 10 when extra weight was over its nostril and the rear finish lightened up. And, like they did on the Macan Electrical, the Pirellis began to fray late within the day.

The enjoyable we had behind the wheel and the concept of an approachable EV observe automotive (at $67,685) put the Ioniq 5 N excessive as our winner. Halvorson summed it up: “The Ioniq 5 N actually opens the concept of a totally electrical observe day to a brand new era and a a lot wider go-fast crowd.”