- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Essential debuts in Korea as a more affordable version of the EV.
- The styling, performance, and most interior features are carried over from the regular N.
- Trade-offs include the lack of wireless charging, head up display, and V2L connector.
Hyundai has launched a new trim of the Ioniq 5 N in its home market in Korea, making it slightly more accessible to buyers. Despite its name, the Ioniq 5 N Essential doesn’t have the trade-offs you’d normally expect from a base-spec version, retaining the full performance and most of the tech features as standard.
The Essential ooks identical to the regular N, sporting the same bodykit, full-LED lights, and 21-inch forged alloy wheels (those hoping for a set of steelies should probably look elsewhere). The same applies to the interior that features dual 12.3-inch displays, sport seats, a leather steering wheel, dual-zone A/C, and an eight-speaker Bose premium sound system fitted as standard.
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The difference is that the Essential doesn’t have a head-up display, a wireless charging pad, or a V2L connector. Less notable omissions from the equipment list include the lack of a digital key, safety power windows on the second row, and the intelligent front lamp system. Furthermore, the standard ADAS suite has lost a few high-end features, although it remains quite comprehensive.
Unsurprisingly, the underpinnings of the Ioniq 5 N remain unchanged. The two electric motors generate a combined 601 hp (448 kW / 609 PS) and there is a limited slip differential on the rear axle, while the battery pack has a capacity of 84 kWh. Furthermore, the performance EV retains all of the goodies that make it special, such as the N e-Shift, N Launch Control, N Pedal, N Drift Optimizer Pro, N Torque Distribution, and N Active Sound +.
So what is the price of the cheapest N with electric power? If you add the local incentives, the Ioniq 5 N Essential is priced at ₩74,900,000 ($53,700) in Korea, compared to the ₩77,400,000 ($55,500) of the regular trim. In other words, buyers save ₩2,500,000 ($1,800) while getting the same looks and performance. For good measure, the single available trim of the model in the US market currently starts at $66,200.
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Hyundai has also upgraded the optional Comfort Plus package that costs ₩590,000 ($420) and adds heated rear seats, rear window curtains, and an electric folding rear bench. The Essential can also be fitted with the Parking Assist Lite for an extra ₩900,000 ($650), although it misses out on the remote parking function. Other options include a vehicle protection film for ₩380,000 ($270), an Alcantara interior for ₩550,000 ($400), and a Walk-in Interior package for ₩300,000 ($350).
The Korean brand’s N lineup is expected to grow in the future with electric and combustion-powered models. After the recent debut of the Ioniq 6 N sedan, Hyundai has all but confirmed a smaller Ioniq 3 N hot hatch and a new generation of the i20 N with hybrid power.
