IT'S A USA VS KOREA EV U-TURN DRAG RACE STARRING THE TESLA MODEL 3 PERFORMANCE AND THE HYUNDAI IONIQ 5N.
At SXdrv, we’re all about discovering the coolest and most innovative things in the automotive world, which is why we’re big fans of the Edmunds Cars channel on YouTube. Unlike most car review outlets that focus on straight-up timed tests or simple head-to-head drag races, the team at Edmunds Cars takes a refreshingly different approach to car testing. Typically, you’ll see reviewers either run a single car through a timed course or pit two market rivals against each other on a strip or track, often limited to quarter-mile runs due to the complexities and costs of full track tests. While these methods are great for evaluating acceleration, traction, and some onboard tech, they don’t always capture the full picture, especially when it comes to critical factors like handling and braking. That’s where the Edmunds U-Drag race comes in. This unique testing method goes beyond the standard drag race format by adding a twist - literally. Instead of just hitting the brakes at the end of a quarter-mile run and coasting to a stop, drivers must slam on the brakes, perform a 180-degree turn, and race back to the starting line, which now serves as the finish line. This not only tests a car’s straight-line speed but also challenges its braking performance, handling, and overall balance, making it a far more comprehensive - and entertaining - test than the usual fare. It’s quite odd that we don’t see more YouTube channels and automotive journos doing these kinds of tests, but on the other hand, we know exactly where to find them wherever we want to see something entertaining.
In the latest instalment of this interesting way to test cars, we see the hugely popular Tesla Model 3 Performance, a long-running EV model that’s had some improvements and plenty of tech updates over the years. Since 2017 it’s been a top choice for those wanting to cross over into the world of EVs. With the model’s age, it makes sense that it will be quite good now, and it’s up against an EV that’s like the new popular kid on the block that’s only in its first generation - the coolest EV hatchback that we’ve seen to date and the only EV we’d bite someone in the face for - the Hyundai IONIQ 5N. The Tesla Model 3 features dual electric motors to afford the car full all-wheel drive, and they’re efficient and powerful creating a total power output of an impressive 461 kW with an impressive torque output of 741 Nm. The Model 3 Performance can get to the benchmark 100 km/h speed in just 3.1 seconds and has a top speed of 262 km/h. It’s fast, even though many ICE cars have higher top speeds, even my 20-year-old Mk4 GTi can match that, the impressive part is how fast it gets there. In this electric match-up, the Model 3 Performance gets a chance to see how it fares against the electric hatchback that has impressed the world’s motoring press - the Hyundai IONIQ 5N. This Korean entrant is powered by a pair of electric motors, one at each end of the car to power the wheels all around. At the front, the electric motor is rated at 166 kW, but when you add in the rear motor that’s rated at a 282 kW things heat up which gives the IONIQ 5 N a total of 448 kW of power on tap. If you add in the special overdrive burst called N Grin Boost, power rises to 478 kW with 770 Nm of torque. This electric hatchback can get to 100 km/h in a slightly slower 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of a slightly less 260 km/h - this means they’re quite evenly matched on paper, but how will the cars look in this different kind of drag race that takes braking and weights into consideration? No matter the winner, the IONIQ 5N is the one we’d rather have.
Take a look at the YouTube video showing off one of the USA's most popular EVs pitted against the Korean newcomer in the form of the Hyundai IONIQ 5N. These tests can help buyers decide on which is the best to buy, but we'd take the IONIQ 5N over the Tesla because Must hates SA and the Koreans have done a better job: U-DRAG RACE: Tesla Model 3 Performance vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | Handling, Quarter Mile & More | Edmunds Cars
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News Electric EV Model 3 Performance Tesla IONIQ 5N Hyundai SXdrv U-Turn Drag Race Versus Edmunds Cars