A $66k Hyundai Stuns Many in 2024’s Best Car Showdown

We wanted to find the best of the best for 2024. So, we gathered 23 automotive journalists and handed them the keys to the most luxurious, most powerful, and top-performing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) on the market. The crown jewel? A $558,000 Rolls-Royce Spectre. But after days of testing on Washington’s scenic streets, who came out on top? Spoiler alert—it wasn’t the Rolls.

Enter the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, the underdog turned champion. In a lineup that included some of the biggest names in automotive history, this electric beast—with 601 horsepower and a relatively modest $66,100 price tag—shocked everyone by snatching Best Performance, Best Electrified Vehicle, and Best BEV titles.

Yes, you read that right. A Hyundai beat a McLaren, a Rolls-Royce, and a fleet of high-end competitors. Who knew the humble automaker, known more for budget-friendly sedans than supercars, would redefine what it means to drive electric? With its blistering speed, precision handling, and even simulated engine noises and gear shifts, the IONIQ 5 N fooled us into thinking it was anything but a battery-powered vehicle.

And while McLaren’s Artura Spider—an eye-watering hybrid supercar—tried its best, it couldn’t quite outdo the IONIQ 5 N, despite a nearly three times higher price tag. Sure, the McLaren is a technical marvel, seamlessly blending gas and electric power, but the Korean upstart left the judges floored.

For those craving luxury, the Lucid Air Pure came in second for Best Electrified Vehicle, reminding us that green doesn’t have to mean dull. With a range of 420 miles and a ride that feels more like cruising first-class than driving, the Lucid Air Pure is the epitome of elegance meeting innovation. It’s perfect for those who want their cake and want to eat it, too.

And for all you petrolheads, fear not! The Audi RS 6 Avant Performance, with its roaring internal combustion engine, clinched the title for Best ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) Performance Vehicle. Sure, it’s a wagon, but calling it a “grocery-getter” is like calling the Queen’s Guards just “door security.” This machine packs serious power while still offering everyday practicality.

Let’s not forget about hybrids—after all, they’re still a thing, aren’t they? The Lexus TX550h+ Luxury AWD topped the Best Plug-in Hybrid category, proving that hybrids can be efficient without sacrificing style or speed. Combining gas and electric power so seamlessly, it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins.

After testing everything from the $36,820 Hyundai Elantra N to the nearly $560,000 Rolls-Royce Spectre on suburban streets, rural roads, and freeways, one thing was clear—electric cars aren’t just the future anymore; they’re the present. And they’re here to steal the show. Hyundai’s triumph over the more elite competition proves that you don’t need a fat wallet to own a car that thrills. Performance and luxury no longer belong solely to the world of Rolls-Royce or McLaren.

So, what did we learn? The automotive landscape is changing fast. With 601 horsepower, jaw-dropping technology, and a price tag that seems almost too good to be true, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N shows that the future of performance vehicles is silent—except for the sound of your heart racing. If you still think electric cars are dull, it might be time to check what’s under the floor, not the hood.

And yes, we’re serious. A Hyundai just stole the crown in a race that featured a $558,000 Rolls-Royce. Go figure.