Hyundai's continuing to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup and the latest all-electric model is the IONIQ 6 which debuted for 2023. The IONIQ 6 joins the IONIQ 5 and Kona electric as a 5-passenger sedan offering a driving range varying from 240 up to 361 miles. It carries over into 2024 unchanged. It is available in three trim levels known as SE, SEL, and Limited. Prices start at $42,450 for SE and climb to $54,765 for the Limited AWD. Both rear-wheel or all-wheel drive are available on all models and the specs get complicated from there based on standard versus long range, wheel size, and drivetrain.
| RWD (Standard) | RWD (Standard) | RWD (Long Range) | AWD
|
| Maximum kW | 111kW | 168 kW | 168 kW | 74kW + 165kW |
| Horsepower | 149 | 225 | 225 | 320 |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 446 lb-ft |
| Range | 240 miles | 305 miles | 361 miles | 270 miles (18" wheels)
316 miles (20" wheels) |
Competition includes vehicles like the BMW i4, Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and the Toyota Prius Prime. I spent time in a Limited Long Range model with AWD and 20" wheels that checked in at $57,425.
Exterior Style
Love it or hate it, the IONIQ 6 will stand out in the parking lot. It has a futuristic style that seems oddly familiar from the back with several comparisons to a Porsche 911 or an Infiniti J30. Any way you look at it, it's unique with some interesting proportions and style choices that are all thrown together and somehow work. Up front it gets Hyundai's signature parametric pixel light design that has a retro-modern vibe with pixelated running lights and turn signals. The otherwise smooth front end has a hood that accentuates the fenders as it flares up on each side along with active air flaps that are used to reduce cooling resistance for better aerodynamics.
The side silhouette utilizes a rounded roofline that stretches low to meet the side beltline at the taillights. It's aerodynamic with large wheels, pop-out door handles, and a single curved profile line. It has a long wheelbase which pays off inside and attractive wheel designs. Around back it comes with a small elliptical wing-inspired spoiler at the bottom of the window (reminiscent of the 911) and stretching across the hatch is a long strip of pixel rear tail lamps with IONIQ 6 in individual letters across the center in a cool, modern font. The back has a ducktail shape to it with the lower portion of the bumper finished in gloss black and vertical pixel light strips on either side. It's a busy rear-end which is a big contrast to the otherwise simple looking front.
Aside from the pixel lights that I really like on both the IONIQ 5 and 6, I am also a big fan of the wheel designs available on this car. My test car had 20" alloy wheels that were highly detailed and mixed brushed silver and black finishes. One exterior style choice that I wasn't a fan of is the flush door handles. In theory it creates a smooth design, however, in function they are awkward to grab to open the door. It felt unnatural to grab the door handles from the edge and was something I never got used to. Overall, the styling has grown on me, and I heard more compliments on it than not. It's an intriguing design that does turn heads.
Power / Handling
Having spent time in the most powerful version, I was impressed with the 320 horsepower and 446-pound feet of instant torque available in the IONIQ 6. This is one of the quicker models I've driven with a 0-60 MPH time of 4.3 seconds. RWD model rated at 225 horsepower perform slower getting from 0-60 in around 6.2 seconds. Besides being quick, it is also refined and incredibly smooth. Highway driving is fun with plenty of power for merging and passing. It's nimble through traffic and around corners in the city. Its low center of gravity translates to a composed and stable ride. It always felt connected to the pavement with confidence. Steering is well-balanced and it's an engaging car to control.
It comes with regenerative braking that operates smoothly. One-pedal driving is optional and when utilized, it is easy to get used to without the jerky feeling that other competitors have when you lift your foot off the pedal. Hyundai also offers various drive modes to set the dynamics to your personal preference whether it be to maximize performance or efficiency.
Charging
The IONIQ 6 features 800V fast charging capabilities, which enables drivers to replenish 80 percent of battery capacity in under 18 minutes at 350-kW chargers under ideal conditions. When connected to a 400V Level 3 charger (the most common public charger), it will get from 10 to 80% in around 73 minutes. It will take approximately seven to eight hours to fully charge it using a 240-volt household outlet or Level 2 charger. The vehicle can be configured inside to cap charging at various levels or minimize the power drawn so be sure to check the settings before plugging in and walking away.
A system in the vehicle will audibly announce that the car is now charging when plugged in and activated. Hyundai also includes an app within the infotainment screen that will provide locations of the nearest charging station and the ability to map travel routes based on the charging network. Having the long-range model maximized my charging needs and the car seemed to be accurate with its range indication. The IONIQ 6 gave me the least amount of range anxiety than any other EV I've driven. Overall range will vary on the model you choose with a minimum of 240 miles and a maximum of 360 miles.
Interior
Hopping inside you'll find a spacious cabin with a very minimalist approach to design. It has a modern vibe with ambient lighting, pixelated lights, mixed materials, and a lot of focus on technology. Despite its modern vibe, materials didn't quite live up to its nearly $60k price tag with harder surfaces and a generic feel. Controls are all placed in the center console (including door locks and windows) while the doors are free from anything other than the handle. Hyundai implements a steering wheel stalk for gear selection that is placed low and requires some acclimation of twisting and pushing to park. The dash layout has a very horizontal feel with long climate control vents and double 12.3" digital displays for infotainment and the digital cluster.
It comfortably seats five with plenty of head, leg, and shoulder room up front. My 3 kids were comfortable in the back, but anyone approaching 6' will find headroom limited in back thanks to the sloping roof design. However, the flat floor design does help in maximizing legroom in back. Cloth upholstery, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a six-way manually adjustable front passenger seat, heated seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are standard. Synthetic leather upholstery, driver's seat memory settings, an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel are available. I found the seats to be comfortable for longer commutes with plenty of support.
Technology
The IONIQ 6 is very tech-forward with its dual digital display that extends across the dash. It integrates with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but a cord is still required. Contradicting the needed cord is an available wireless device charging tray. The infotainment system offers crisp graphics and is sensible to use. The menu layout is easy to follow with a lot of options to customize to your personal preference. Physical buttons are still present for audio and climate controls and are within reach. Other available features include an 8-speaker Bose audio system, V2L charging which lets you use the EV battery as an output source, digital key, and more.
A bonus feature is the remote smart park assist in which you can start and move the car without sitting inside. It is a neat trick that is quite easy to use. While standing near the vehicle, you can start it up via the remote and once activated, you can control the car at the touch of a button by moving it forward or back as if it was a remote-controlled car. The feature is very user friendly and safe. Releasing the button immediately stops the INOIQ 6 or it will stop itself if it detects an object or person.
Cargo
The funky design catches up to the IONIQ 6 as it minimizes its overall cargo capacity, causing it to fall short against the competition. There is 11.2 cubic feet of trunk space in back and a small storage compartment in the front good for 0.5 cubic feet (enough for a charging cable). Rear seats do fold down, but not in a common way. After searching for a button at the top or the bottom of the seats, I found myself googling how to get the seats down. There is actually a latch inside the trunk that needs to be pulled to release the seat back.
Safety
Like most other modern Hyundais, the IONIQ 6 comes standard with a comprehensive advanced driver assistance system. Some of the popular ones include:
* Blind-spot collision avoidance
* Parking distance warning
* Driver attention warning
* Forward collision-avoidance with car/pedestrian/cyclist detection
* Highway driving assist
* Intelligent speed assist
* Safe exit warning
* Rear cross-traffic alert / collision avoidance
* Rear occupant alert
Other features to enhance safety and convenience include a surround view monitor system that uses four cameras to provide a 360-degree perspective with guidelines and crystal-clear graphics. A parking collision-avoidance assist-reverse system will detect objects behind the vehicle while a rear occupant alert will prompt the driver to check for unattended passengers if the rear doors were ever opened before the car was started. The blind spot monitoring system includes a camera display that pops up on the digital cluster when the turn signals are engaged. The visuals provide a nice aid for vehicles, curbs, and anything else hiding in the blind spot.
Final Statement
As one of the only electric sedans currently available, the IONIQ 6 stands out amongst the crossovers. When compared to other midsize sedans, it stands out with its unique, futuristic design. It offers a lot of power, good range, quick charging, and balanced drive. Safety and driver assist features are impressive and technology is pretty good. The IONIQ 6 turned out to be an engaging car that was easier to live with than expected.
Pros: Driving range, quick charging, engaging ride, standard safety / tech
Cons: Limited cargo room, rear passenger head room, wired CarPlay & Android Auto
Test Vehicle: 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Long Range AWD)
Exterior Color: Curated Silver
Interior Color: Dark Green
Notable Options: Carpeted Floor Mats ($210)
Price as tested: $57,425 (with destination & delivery)