Summary
Hyundai aims to compete with the Tesla Model 3 with its latest EV model, a sedan called the Ioniq 6. The four-door fits into the company’s Ioniq subbrand of electric vehicles and shares components with the taller and boxier Ioniq 5. meaning single and dual motor configurations will be offered, with two battery pack options. The larger package, in combination with the aerodynamic build, means the 6 should provide a driving range of around 320 miles in certain configurations. Its styling is inspired by Hyundai’s dramatic Prophecy concept, and the Ioniq 6 is as fast as futuristic and stylish. It also offers a more luxurious interior than the Model 3 and features more onboard technology when compared to Hyundai’s gas-powered Sonata and Elantra sedans.
What’s New in 2023?
The Ioniq 6 is a new addition to the lineup. It will be placed numerically between the Ioniq 5 and the upcoming Ioniq 7, but is a lower-profile sedan than the taller crossover.
Price and Where to Buy
We expect the Ioniq 6 to be slightly more expensive than the Ioniq 5, which starts at $40,925. It’s likely to offer similar trim levels and powertrain configurations, with smaller and larger battery packs and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
EV Motor, Power and Performance
The Ioniq 6 shares a platform with the Ioniq 5, its powertrain mirroring that model’s offering. That means the base model will be powered by a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, with the more expensive dual-motor version providing all-wheel drive thanks to front and rear electric motors. Hyundai hasn’t released horsepower for the basic single-motor configuration yet, but it’s likely to have around the same 168 hp as the Ioniq 5. The dual-motor car has 320 hp and Hyundai claims this setup can propel the Ioniq 6 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. Based on our first test drive, we thought Hyundai’s estimates were conservative and expected faster results once we got the Ioniq 6 into our office for testing. While the Ioniq 6’s ride is smooth and the cabin is well-insulated and quiet, its handling is still very attractive. Its low center of gravity gives the impression of being embedded in corners and the steering wheel paddles allow the driver to quickly select different regenerative braking modes.
Range, Charge and Battery Life
The Ioniq 6 should offer a driving range of around 320 miles when equipped with a larger 77.4-kWh battery; The standard 53.0-kWh package will likely offer around 220 miles per charge, though official EPA ratings haven’t been released for either. Once we get our hands on the Ioniq 6, we’ll run it through our 75-mph real-world highway range test and update this story with the results.
Real World Fuel Economy and MPGe
The EPA hasn’t released an official fuel efficiency rating for the Ioniq 6 yet, but we expect to see some minor improvements to the more square Ioniq 5 crossover, which is rated at up to 132 MPGe city and 98 MPGe highway. For more information on the Ioniq 6 fuel economy, visit EPA website.
Interior, Comfort and Cargo
So far Hyundai has emphasized lounge-like comfort in its Ioniq models, and the 6 is no exception. The cabin exhibits a modern, minimalist aesthetic similar to the Ioniq 5 and the flat floor helps to feel spacious inside. As a conventional four-door sedan, it offers room for five people in two rows of seating. Hyundai has gone to great lengths to ensure a quiet cabin, with multiple layers of sound-absorbing material sandwiched between the floor and carpet. The cargo area in the trunk may not rival that of a hatchback or crossover, but the rear seats fold down to expand the space back there.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Both a 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.0-inch infotainment screen are offered. The Ioniq 6 uses the same software as other Hyundai models, incorporating BlueLink for connectivity functions and connecting with smartphones using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. More details about the infotainment system will be available closer to the official launch of the Ioniq 6.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
While the Ioniq 6 destined for sale in the United States will not come with the Korean market version of the cool camera-based rearview mirror, we hope that Hyundai will equip our version with all sorts of driver-assist technology to make up for it. For more information on the Ioniq 6 crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Key security features likely include:
- Standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane departure warning with lane guard assistance
- Adaptive cruise control available with lane centering
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Hyundai provides one of the best warranty packages in the industry. Likewise, it comes with an impressive amount of free scheduled maintenance.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Battery protected for 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Free maintenance covered for three years or 36,000 miles
