Hybrid electric vehicles have attracted much attention of late, emphasizing the necessity of developing traction motors with a high input current and a wide speed range. Among such traction motors, various researches have been conducted on interior permanent-magnet synchronous motors (IPMSMs) with high power density and mechanical solidity. Due to the complexity of its parameters, however, with nonlinear motor characteristics and current vector control, it is actually difficult to accurately estimate the base speed within an actual operating speed range or a voltage limit. Moreover, it is impossible to construct an efficiency map as the efficiency differs according to the control mode. In this study, a simulation method for operation performance considering the nonlinearity of IPMSM was proposed. For this, datasets of various nonlinear parameters were made via the finite-element method and interpolation. Maximum torque-per-ampere and flux-weakening control were accurately simulated using the datasets, and an IPMSM efficiency map was accurately constructed based on the simulation. Lastly, the validity of the simulation was verified through tests.