Why the Hyundai 6 N won the 2026 Performance Car of the Year Award

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N is proof positive that – at least in the automotive world – you can have it all: Good looks, good for the environment, and great performance. We’ve got the award to prove it: The 2026 IONIQ 6 N has just been named the 2026 World Performance Car in the annual World Car Awards™. It joins the IONIQ 5 N, which won the 2024 award. Hyundai has won nine awards in the 22 years of the competition.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N’s World Performance Car win was the result of voting by 93 international automotive journalists from 33 countries who test drove the contenders. The IONIQ 6 N beat out the likes of the BMW M2 CS and the Chevvy Corvette E-Ray! 

ZOOMMMMM!

Speed is what makes a performance car a performance car. The IONIQ 6 N has up to 641 hp with N Grin Boost engaged. Other qualities also enhance its performance: 

• The N Grin Boost (such an evocative name!) is all about a push-button power shot bringing the vehicle to its full 641 hp for a 10-second surge. That’s zero-to-62 mph in 3.2 seconds. Without the boost it’s around 601 hp. Top speed is about 160 mph.
• The N Drift Optimizer offers the ability to command the IONIQ 6 N’s slides with adjustable settings for initiation, angle and wheel spin. Donuts, anyone?
• N Torque Distribution provides the ability to split front and rear torque to suit driving style and road conditions.
• N Active Sound+ offers three sound designs to offer a visceral connection and feedback to the experience.
• N e-Shift offers the feel of real gear changes. Yes, you get a true race-car feel!
• N Ambient Shift Light tells you through the ambient lighting when it’s the right moment to shift. 

The MotorTrend editors enthused that the IONIQ 6 N is “uncannily good and fantastically fun.”

More Than Speed

As great as speed is, there’s more to the IONIQ 6 N. Qualities like being able to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 18 minutes with a 350-kW charger under optimal conditions. The distinctive red style touches, sport seats, and a unique steering wheel. The gorgeous curved styling that it shares with the rest of the IONIQ 6 lineup. Sports-car-like handling. All-wheel drive. More than 250 miles of range.