Hyundai’s N division has come a long way since its first product, the i30 N hot hatch, was launched almost a decade ago. Sadly, that car never made it stateside, where the Korean marque’s N lineup is currently limited to the Ioniq 5 N, Elantra N, and the new Ioniq 6 N.
But Hyundai has grander plans for its N range over the next three to four years. That’s according to Olabisi Boyle, senior vice president of product planning and mobility strategy at Hyundai. Although she was careful not to divulge specifics, one comment from Boyle gives us a clue as to what new N-badged Hyundais we can expect.
Related: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Is The Ruler By Which Performance Sedans Should Be Measured
Likely Future Hyundai N Models
Hyundai
A broader N range will provide Hyundai with tougher competition for Toyota’s GR range, which is also expanding rapidly.
“We are expanding N. You will have more N models in three, four years,” Boyle said to The Drive. “I won’t say which ones. We will only expand it on the things that [make sense].”
It’s that last statement that jumps out. While BMW and Mercedes have added M/AMG badges to practically everything in their lineups, it sounds like Hyundai will only apply the N treatment to models best suited for performance applications. That probably rules out a large electric SUV like the Ioniq 9, the budget-oriented Venue crossover, and the conservative Sonata.
Hyundai
A likelier candidate could be the Tucson, one of the brand’s most popular models. It’s a compact two-row crossover, and an N version would give the surprisingly quick Toyota RAV4 GR Sport something to think about. The previous Kona N was a hoot, so a newer version would be special. There have also been rumors of a Veloster N comeback.
But what would be better than any of these options is a dedicated sports car to carry the N badge. Hyundai has no coupe alternative to the Toyota GR86, but as the N Vision 74 concept showed, the Koreans have what it takes to design a truly desirable sports car. Hyundai execs have already expressed interest in turning this into a production model.
Why It’s The Perfect Time For Hyundai N To Expand
Hyundai is well-positioned to grow the N performance brand. Its performance models have successfully proven their credentials, both with gas and electric power. In other markets, the i30 N is every bit as fun to drive as the long-running Golf GTI, while the Ioniq 5 N has shown that this driver-focused appeal is by no means limited to gas models. Last year, Hyundai said it’s far from done with gas-powered N models, even as the electric ones become more prominent.
Hyundai is also on an upward trajectory in the U.S., having achieved five consecutive years of record sales in 2025. With core models like the Palisade, Elantra, and Santa Fe keeping the ship rolling, there’s leeway for a bolder, more experimental performance lineup.
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Finally, there’s a clear appetite for performance models in the country. BMW M achieved massive sales success last year, but even non-luxury brands are thriving. The GR Corolla had its best year ever in 2025, and Subaru just introduced a more affordable WRX.
Already dominant in SUV sales, Hyundai’s N division is ready to step out of its foundation phase and establish itself as a leading global performance brand.
