Manufacturers of all-electric vehicles are at a crossroads. Sales slowed early in the year, even though they are offering a wider selection of cars, SUVs and trucks than ever before — including the wildly entertaining 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWD that was recently honored by the Northwest Automotive Press Association at Drive Revolution 2024.
“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,” NWAPA President Nik Miles said of the vehicle that beat out 22 other all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and gas-powered performance models to be voted the overall winner.
The contradictions of the marketplace were apparent at the annual comparison of advanced and performance vehicles, however. Because of battery costs, all Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) cost more than equivalent gas-powered vehicles. But since the 2023 event, the federal government has severely reduced the financial incentives that have historically encouraged their sales. And both major party presidential candidates now oppose mandating BEV sales, raising even more questions about the federal government’s continued commitment to them. Ford announced in mid-August that it is slowing both its investment in all-electric vehicles and the introduction of new models. Other manufacturers are reportedly revising their BEVs strategies, too.
But one manufacturer pull its BEV out of the competition at the last minute, presumably because of its change in direction. And, although the overall Drive Revolution 2024 winner was all-electric, it came with a twist. The IONIQ 5 N AWD is a compact SUV that is engineered to drive like a gas-powered performance car, complete with artificial exhaust sounds and a direct-drive transmission programmed to shift through gears like a sophisticated dual-clutch automatic.
There’s no doubt the IONIQ 5 N AWD is a blast to drive. Its dual electric motors generate a combined 641 horsepower, enough to reach 60 miles per hour in a mere 3.3 seconds. The simulated exhaust sounds and gear shifts are very convincing, adding to the excitement. But what does it say about the appeal of BEVs that Hyundai made one that drives like it runs on gas and has a performance automatic transmission?
The quandary is even greater when the IONIQ 5 N AWD is compared to the seven actual gas-powered performance cars at the event. At $67,685, it was significantly more expensive than four of those that are also fast and create their own genuine performance exhaust sounds. That includes the enjoyable 2024 Elantra N, which is also produced by Hyundai and comes with a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder engine that pumps out a respectable 276 horsepower and a genuine eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission for just $36,820.
Complicating matters is the proliferation of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) that can drive a certain distance on electricity alone before switching over to a conventional gas/electric mode. They cost less than comparable EVs because their battery packs are smaller, even though they also have gas engines.
There were six PHEVs at the event, compared to just four last year. Three of them were EPA rated at over 30 miles per gallon on a full charge, which is more than most people drive every day. That means with regular overnight home charging, the 2025 Kia Sorento PHEV SX-Prestige AWD (31 miles), the 2024 Lexus TX 500+h Luxury AWD (33 miles), and the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV SEL S-AWC (38 miles) can be driven mostly as EVs, except for longer trips where recharging is not required.
Not all plug-in hybrids use their battery packs for all-electric travel, however. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 SE Performance luxury sedan combines its electric motor with a handcrafted 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo Engine to produce 831 horsepower for $224,820. Similarly, the 2024 McLaren Artura Spider has only 11 miles of EPA electric range but generated a combined 691 horsepower with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 for $344,718.
And the Internal Combustion Engine Performance class proved there is still plenty of life in traditional vehicles. The winning 2024 Audi RS 6 Avante Performance is the fastest and best handling station wagon in the world at $149,840. The runner-up 2025 Durango SRT Hellcat Last Call AWD is reportedly Dodge’s final 710-horsepower supercharged V8-powered SUV at $149,840.
Despite the contradictions, there is no doubt that EVs have come a long way since the humble Nissan Leaf was introduced as the first mass-produced EV sold in America in 2010 with just 73 miles of EPA estimated range. Models varied widely at Drive Revolution 2024. The least expensive was completely redesigned subcompact 2024 Fiat 500e, which retains the line’s chic Italian styling, is EPA estimated at 149 miles of range, and was priced at $37,595. The most expensive was the over-the-top full-size 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre ultra-luxury sedan, which offers 266 estimated miles of range, was priced at $558,700 (yes, more than half-a-million dollars), and was suitable for British royalty.
Testing took place over a variety of routes around the Ilani Casino and Resort on the Cowlitz Reservation. The routes included a mix of suburban, rural and freeway stretches, allowing for a wide range of driving experiences. In addition to the IONIQ 5 N, Fiat 500e, and the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the BEV class included another luxury sedan, five two-row SUVs, and one three-row SUV. All were incredibly smooth and quiet (with the exception of the upstart 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N AWD, of course). Freeway merging and passing was never a problem because with BEVs, all of their torque is instantly available.
Sales of BEVs rebounded slightly in the second quarter, but not enough to stop manufacturers from exploring their options. But the 2024 event proved buyers will continue to have a lot of options in the future.
"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.
A previous story about the Drive Revolution 2024 results can be found at portlandtribune.com/lifestyle/wheels .
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