The World Performance Car category of the World Car Awards, long the preserve of luxury and premium marques such as Porsche, Audi, McLaren and BMW, has seen a string of upsets recently.
At the center of that shift is Hyundai Motor Group. The company first broke into the winners’ list in 2023 when the Kia EV6 GT won the World Performance Car award. Hyundai followed with the Ioniq 5 N in 2024, and this year the Ioniq 6 N claimed the title, signaling a major shake-up in a segment traditionally led by premium brands.
Hyundai attributes its edge to electrification technology that outpaces many rivals. The company builds its advanced EVs on the dedicated electric platform E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform).
Hyundai also leverages data from motorsports. The automaker says 11 years of competition in the World Rally Championship—one of the world’s toughest motorsport series—helped it refine high-performance technologies for both track use and everyday driving, and to transfer those systems into mass-produced models.
The Ioniq 6 N, a product of that work, uses front and rear motors that produce a combined peak output of 448 kW (609 hp) and 740 N·m (75.5 kgf·m; about 546 lb-ft). When drivers engage the short-duration, high-power "N Green Boost," output rises to 478 kW (650 hp) and 770 N·m (78.5 kgf·m; about 568 lb-ft).
The Ioniq 6 N also features next-generation suspension geometry, stroke‑responsive electronically controlled suspension (ECS) dampers, front "Hydro G" bushings and rear "dual-layer" bushings. A Hyundai spokesperson said the setup delivers a comfortable ride for daily use while providing the sharp handling expected of a true performance car.
Hyundai equipped the Ioniq 6 N with evolved electrified performance systems—such as N e-Shift, N Ambient Shift Light and N Active Sound Plus—to give drivers a thrilling, engaging experience.
Judges at the World Car Awards heaped praise on the Ioniq 6 N. Juror Zvonimir Jurcic said that while many high-performance EVs can reach high speeds, few combine driving fun, precision and an authentic driving feel. "The Ioniq 6 N is not the most expensive or the most extreme on paper, but on demanding roads it can behave like a proper sports car," he said.
Beyond this award, the Ioniq 6 N has received accolades from other outlets this year. In January, Britain’s What Car? named it Best Electric Performance Car at the 2026 What Car? Awards.
In April, Top Gear honored it as Best Driver’s Car in the 2026 Top Gear Electric Awards.
By Jung-woo Kim
