HYUNDAI'S hottest electric car, the IONIQ 5N has claimed yet another high-profile honour by being named Best Performance Car in the 2024 Autocar Awards.

The prestigious awards are held annually by the world's oldest motoring magazine and recognise the very best cars on sale today in a variety of key areas of the market.

The ground-breaking IONIQ 5 N has been a serial winner since its launch and was up against a number of traditional internal combustion models from established high-performance brands, as well as an array of ultra-powerful electrified cars, but won over the expert judging panel thanks to the sheer enjoyment it delivers for drivers.

Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw, said: "The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N changes the game for performance cars and for electric vehicles as a car that is huge fun to drive on the road and track. Instant electric power joins forces with a very cleverly tuned rear differential to make it more interactive than many lighter ICE powered cars, and it feels completely natural from behind the wheel, and not intimidating at all.

"But as well as being absorbing and engaging when you want to have fun, its completeness makes it a car that you want to drive as often as you possibly can. It is genuinely comfortable, has truly usable range and benefits from the same rapid charging as the IONIQ 5. It's a revelation."

The high-performance model is based on the same platform as the standard IONIQ 5 - the 2022 World Car of the Year - and integrates the motorsport-bred technologies and expertise of Hyundai's N division.

Among a host of key technical advances is a powertrain which delivers greater power output and enhanced performance in battery cooling and braking.

The IONIQ 5 N's electric motors spin up to 21,000 RPM, providing up to 600bhp in normal conditions, or 641bhp when the car's boost feature is engaged, maximising acceleration for up to 10 seconds.

The benchmark 0-62mph is achievable in 3.4 seconds - on a par with many supercars - while a top speed of 161mph is attainable on tracks.

The recognition from Autocar is the latest in a series of accolades for the IONIQ 5 N, including being crowned 2024 World Performance Car in the World Car Awards. It has also made history at the Nurburgring, where it recorded the fastest electric SUV lap time.