The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWD was the big winner of the recent Drive Revolution competition staged by the Northwest Automotive Press Association (NWAPA). The compact all-electric hot rod won the overall Best Performance and Best Electrified vehicle classes, along with also winning the EV class. It beat out heavy-hitting competitors, many much higher-priced, to win these honors.
“Many journalists were surprised with the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWD and its ability to provide an exceptional blend of performance and innovation, combining powerful acceleration with precision handling — rare traits in an all-electric vehicle,” said NWAPA President Nik Miles of Fox Morning News/Nextstar.tv.
The 2025 IONIQ 5 N AWD is the performance version of Hyundai’s acclaimed compact EV. The N AWD version offers an impressive 601 horsepower, sits lower with a wider and longer stance, and offers unique simulated shifting and gas-engine sounds.
Runner up in the Best Performance Vehicle class was the 2025 McLaren Artura Spider, the hybrid version of the manufacturer’s retractable-top supercar. Second place in the Best Electrified Vehicle class was the 2024 Lucid Air Pure, the single-motor rear-wheel-drive version of the luxury sedan.
Best Performance Winners
Best Electrified Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWDRunner Up: 2025 McLaren Artura Spider
Best Electrified Vehicle Winners
Best Electrified Vehicle: 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWDRunner Up: 2024 Lucid Air Pure
In the three individual classes in this year's competitive event, winners included the: 2024 Audi RS 6 Avant Performance, the 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Last Call AWD, and the 2024 Lexus TX550h+ Luxury AWD.
Best ICE Performance Vehicle
Winner Best ICE: 2024 Audi RS 6 Avant PerformanceRunner Up: 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Last Call AWD
Best Battery Electric Vehicle
Winner Best BEV: 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWDRunner Up: 2024 Lucid Air Pure
Best Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle
Winner Best PHEV: 2024 Lexus TX550h+ Luxury AWDRunner Up: 2025 McLaren Artura Spider
Drive Revolution is an annual competition hosted by NWAPA that compares vehicles with the most advanced technologies and performance potential. During the event, 20 automotive media professionals (including this reporter) drove and evaluated 23 vehicles over a variety of routes around the Ilani Casino and Resort near Ridgefield, Washington, over three days in early September. The routes included suburban, rural, and freeway stretches, allowing for a wide range of testing.
Automakers entered 10 battery-electric vehicles, six plug-in hybrid vehicles, and seven internal-combustion engine performance vehicles into NWAPA Drive Revolution 2024. Prices ranged from $36,820 for the gas-powered 2024 Hyundai Elantra N to $558,700 for the over-the-top. all-electric 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre full-size luxury performance sedan.
"This year's vehicle lineup at Drive Revolution shows just how far electric performance vehicles have come in just the past few years, that plug-in hybrids are not just for commuting, and that traditional gas-powered vehicles continue to offer impressive value and fun," said NWAPA Secretary Bryon Dorr, the Motors Editor at GearJunkie.
About NWAPA
NWAPA is a professional organization of automotive journalists and media members from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Southwest Canada. Founded in 1991, it includes more than 60 voting members representing newspapers, magazines, radio stations, media groups, and the internet. Members of the organization have been testing SUVs and crossovers since the advent of the modern sport-utility vehicle in the mid-1990s. Non-voting NWAPA members include representatives from automotive manufacturers and related industry professionals.
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