2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6: In a Race to Top the Podium
Super sleek side profile of Hyundai Ioniq 6
When it comes to electric cars, the competition is becoming fierce. Not only do companies have to convince the buying public to choose electric over standard combustion engines but they also have to stuff plenty of technology and power in a vehicle that can meet the needs of people’s daily lives. Tesla sits comfortably at the top of the sales charts, with many other brands jockeying for next in line. So far, few automakers have been able to successfully overtake Tesla in the electric vehicle race. Those who have entered the electric vehicle market have struggled with matching Tesla in both electric range and price. No other mainstream brands have been able to really offer a direct competitor to the popular Model 3 sedan until recently. That brand is Hyundai and that model is the Ioniq 6.
This ultra-sleek sedan is the second all-electric model in Hyundai’s Ioniq sub-brand. Hot off the heals on launching the well-received Ioniq 5 SUV, the Ioniq 6 comes to market with very high expectations. Of all the brands entering the electric vehicle market, Hyundai is beginning to establish itself as a leader and is rising to the top. Buyers are beginning to recognize Hyundai as a company that is producing quality electric cars and sales for those products are rapidly increasing for the brand. Hyundai hopes that their latest effort is a success and they went bold with this vehicle. It’s eye-catching, quick, spacious and has a long driving range. It also has an attractive price. All of this makes the Ioniq 6 a very compelling vehicle as it looks towards making a serious dent in Tesla Model 3 sales. Hyundai is definitely reaching for the top of the podium with this effort.
Exterior Design: Sleek and futuristic
Hyundai has been on an absolute roll the last decade or so when it comes to making creative and unique looks for their vehicles. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is no different, as it features a sleek and slippery design. This striking sedan looks as if it has arrived from the future and is an absolute standout in appearance. The Ioniq 6 is the most aerodynamic car Hyundai has ever made. The smooth lines aren’t just about style, it also helps the Ioniq 6 cut through the wind easier and in turn allows this vehicle to get improved efficiency. In fact, as one of the most aerodynamic sedans ever, the Ioniq 6 should benefit from a heathy boost in electric range.
Ioniq 6 pixelated headlights
At first, the Ioniq 6 may take some time getting used to as it’s so different and unconventional. The front of the Ioniq 6 has a low, simple, grille less nose. A long hood pushes back from the bumper and small pixelated headlights finish the look. The sides of the Ioniq 6 are smooth, as if they’ve been sanded down to glass like smoothness. The vehicle has flush door handles and a seductive teardrop profile that draws immediate attention. Out back, the tail drops and a small spoiler complements the sleekness. A thin, wraparound taillight runs across the rear and uses a distinctive pixel lighting. From certain angles at the rear, the Ioniq 6 reminds me of the classic Porsche 911 and Saab 900. Two very handsome and iconic vehicles. It also reminds me a lot of the Infiniti J30 from the 1990’s, which was another very rounded and slightly obscure premium product of its era.
My favorite angle on this car
In a market where sedan sales are slowing down, I’m glad Hyundai decided to create a sedan model for their second Ioniq branded electric vehicle. Visually it’s a lot more exciting than the Tesla Model 3 and when compared to other sedans on the market, the Ioniq 6 is a standout.
Interior Design: Simplified but in a good way
The interior of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is minimalist in appearance. Unlike the Tesla, Hyundai has included physical buttons which is very much appreciated. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen are fitted within one panel. These dual screens are bright, responsive and have nice graphics. The infotainment is intuitive, straight-forward and most importantly easy to use. Touch sensitive ventilation and climate controls are also easily laid out on the dash. It feels modern and it’s so simple that people of all ages will have no issues figuring them out. Fit and finish is top notch in this vehicle and materials are considerably better than what you will find in any Tesla product.
Simple physical controls and Morse code “H” on steering wheel
The rest of the dash is attractive and the interior is stuffed with plenty of unique detailing. The Ioniq 6 has a flat floor to maximize spaciousness. Gears are shifted courtesy of a column mounted stalk, freeing up even more space. A full length floating center console is available on all Ioniq 6’s that runs between the front seats. This console is also relatively flat and all window, mirror and door lock switches can be found here. This is rather unusual as almost every vehicle has these switches located on the door panel. It can take some time to adjust to this. I admit, out of habit I would find myself at times reaching for the door to open the window but then quickly remembering that it’s not positioned there. While the doors themselves no longer have switches, Hyundai has decided to give them some style. These distinctive doors have ripples on the panels that reflect multicolor lights that are placed within the armrests; yet another thing that separates this vehicle from others. The steering wheel is also quite strange in appearance as it does not feature the signature Hyundai logo. Instead four little dots are found in its place. I have been wondering why they have been using those dots on some recent products and my Hyundai product specialist told me that the four dots mean “H” in Morse code. Those dots light up in green or red as you select Eco or Sport mode and stays grey in regular settings. Another neat touch, as this shows Hyundai really took the time to emphasize even the smallest details with this car.
Ioniq 6 unique door panel featuring “ripple effect” and ambient lighting
Front seats are a little thin but are still comfortable and can be adjusted to find a good driving position. One would think, that the Ioniq 6 with its sloping roofline and distinctive shape would be tight for rear occupants. However, that’s not the case as the Ioniq 6 is surprisingly roomy. With its flat floor, short overhangs and long wheelbase, the Ioniq 6 has a ton of legroom. The shallow rear seats also allow for a decent amount of headroom for occupants up to six-feet. The only negative aspect of the dramatic shape is that trunk space is somewhat limited with its volume being 11.2 cubic-feet. A small frunk is also included up front to help carry smaller objects. In comparison a Tesla Model 3 has 19.8 cubic-feet of trunk space and a BMW i4 only comes with 10.0 cubic-feet of volume.
The Ioniq 6 comes very well equipped and a has a really well-thought out and creative cabin. This vehicle is a very strong entry from Hyundai and from the inside, outclasses the Tesla and many other regular gas powered sedans too. Another plus for Hyundai in their quest to become the top electric brand.
The Ioniq 6 has a rather small frunk
How it drives: Strong and silent
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 can be had in three distinct powertrain options. In the U.S. a base single motor option is available that produces a meager 149 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. My tester was the long-range, rear-wheel drive option. This version makes a healthy 225 HP and the torque remains the same at 258 lb-ft. Lastly a dual motor AWD model is available with the addition of a front motor. Power increases to 320 HP and 446 lb-ft of torque. This version is arguably the quickest of the bunch and will appeal to those who are interested in going places fast.
18’’ aero wheels designed to improve efficiency
Like I’ve said my tester was the rear-drive version that produces 225 HP. It also had 18-inch alloy wheels with the aero design that helps improve efficiency. The Ioniq 6 is strong and silent, as power off the line is quick and the vehicle gains momentum in a hurry. It doesn’t push you back into your seats the same way as the Tesla but it just goes and before you know it you’ll have the Ioniq 6 hitting speeds over the limit. Switch it into sport mode and the experience turns up a notch or two. The flat floor and low center of gravity allows this sedan to perform wonderfully in corners. The chassis is smooth and there’s almost no body roll when taking sharp turns with some speed. Steering is accurate, responsive and has a nice weight to it. The suspension is setup to be stiffer than the Ioniq 5 SUV, therefore providing a more fun nature to its personality. Usually a stiff ride means that the vehicle performs in an uncomfortable manner but that’s not the case here. The Ioniq 6 is pillow soft and soaked up every bump, crack and pit in the road with no problems. An absolute joy to drive, whether on the highway or navigating busy parking lots.
With protective plastics still on the sleek spoiler helps cut the airflow
Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allows the driver to easily select the level of regenerative braking that they desire. Complete one-pedal driving capability is possible and the vehicle will come to a complete stop when the maximum amount is selected. The nice part of this setup is that you can also select a minimal amount of regen braking. This will allow the car to idle and coast like a normal gas powered car. Having a choice is great and while some don’t like regen braking, this option makes the Ioniq 6 more appealing for first time electric car buyers.
Flush door handles protrude out while car is parked
Even though the Ioniq 6 has a sleek and streamlined shape, none of that compromises outward visibility. Drivers also have the latest safety and driving assist content as well. Standard equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring. All of this is accompanied by an excellent array of parking camera angles.
Range: A leader in the pack
When it comes to range and charging times, the Ioniq 6 truly rises above the competition. It’s a car with a striking look that’s actually been designed for both form and function. The base SE Standard range in the U.S. has a small 53 kWh battery that can travel an estimated 240 miles. The next level up (my tester) is the long range, rear-wheel drive option that has a 77.4 kWh battery. This version returns an exceptional 361 miles or 581 km of driving range. That number is so good that it is only bested by the significantly more expensive Lucid Air (Base $139,000 US) and Tesla Model S (Base $91,000 US). That number is better than its primary target, the Tesla Model 3. Lastly, the AWD long-ranger also comes with the 77.4 kWh battery. However, more power means its efficiency drops to 316 miles or 509 km of range.
Ioniq 6 charging port
Those driving range numbers are seriously impressive. But the time it takes to charge the Ioniq 6 is even better. If you can find a reliable fast charger, the Ioniq 6 will charge faster than a Tesla Model 3. Charging time is as little as 18 minutes to go from 10% to 80%. For an electric car that is incredible. Hyundai is an absolute leader when it comes to the most important part of electric car ownership. In the race to becoming the best electric brand, Hyundai appears to have taken the lead. Congratulations Hyundai, top marks here.
Final Thoughts: A breakthrough in the electric car market
Hyundai really thought about everything when it came to creating the Ioniq 6. Its engaging to drive, loaded with technology and has plenty of unique details that are really thoughtful. It also has a style that immediately grabs attention, looking futuristic and intriguing. Its well-priced and has a class leading driving range accompanied by unmatched charging times that are better than Tesla’s Model 3. Despite having a small trunk, the Ioniq 6 is the real deal. With few competitors offering a non-luxury branded electric sedan, Hyundai has an opportunity to capture the marketplace before more entries come in. The Ioniq 6’s closest competitor is the Tesla Model 3 and in many ways the Hyundai is better. It has more style, range and better build quality. The Ioniq 6 has all the tools to rise to the top of the electric car podium. Not only is this a great electric sedan it’s a great sedan overall.
A Special thanks to sales executive Frank DeMichele and Lougheed Hyundai for the vehicle
Pricing and Specifications:
RWD base single motor - 149 HP; 258 lb-ft torque
RWD Long-range single motor - 225 HP; 258 lb-ft torque
AWD Long-range Dual motor - 320 HP; 446 lb-ft torque
Canada:
Preferred RWD Long-range - $54,999
Preferred AWD Long-range - $57,999
Preferred AWD Long-range with Ultimate Package - $63,999
US:
SE Standard Range - $37,500
SE RWD - $42,450
SEL RWD - $45,250
Limited RWD - $50,150
SE Dual motor AWD - $45,950
SEL Dual motor AWD - $48,750
Limited Dual motor AWD - $53,650
Main Competitors:
BMW i4, Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3, VW I.D7 (late 2024)
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