Hyundai Ioniq 6 – the future is here

If 20 years ago I could image what the car of the future, particularly sedans, would be like, an image of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 might just come to mind. Its exterior is futuristic, with its statement-making design, it has a dashboard that is all digital, and of course, it is purely electric. And it’s here now.

The Ioniq 6 is the latest EV model from Hyundai and takes direct aim at the Tesla Model 3. This four-door sedan fits into the company’s Ioniq sub-brand made up of electric vehicles and shares components with the taller and boxier Ioniq 5 crossover.

Slotted between the Ioniq 5 and the upcoming Ioniq 7, the Ioniq 6 is a low-slung profile sedan that has a striking design that tends to give off a love it or hate it vibe. The dipping front and rear ends are connected by the long arc of the roofline, that seems to be the “in” thing for today’s EVs, it just appears more dramatic with the Ioniq 6. However you see it, there is no denying that it is one of the most aerodynamic and efficiently designed vehicles ever made. And that design, along with its powertrain, proves to be beneficial by providing an impressive EPA estimate 361 miles of range on a single charge.

The Ioniq 6 uses a similar powertrain to that of the Ioniq 5. The SE Standard Range model comes with a 53-kWh battery pack that powers a single electric motor (149 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) that drives the rear wheels. The EPA estimates its range to be 240 miles. All other Ioniq 6 models use a larger 77.4-kWh battery. In SE trim, it receives a more powerful motor (225 hp, 258 lb-ft) and range increases to 361 miles. All-wheel drive is an option and adds a second motor to drive the front wheels, increasing combined power output (320 hp, 446 lb-ft), although range drops to a still-impressive 316 miles.

And like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 possess some impressive charging times – on a fast charger, it can allegedly be charged from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 20 minutes. A typical at home Level 2 charger will provide the Ioniq 6 a full charge in just over seven hours.

Inside the Ioniq 6 is a modern yet minimalist cabin. Being a conventional four-door sedan, it offers space for five by way of two rows of seating. With the help of a flat floor, the feeling inside the Ioniq 6 is one that is very open and spacious. A nice convenience is the rear seats being able to fold flat, expanding into the trunk area. It’s not as spacious as a crossover SUV or hatchback, but it does make the Ioniq more practical.

Up front, there is more than 24 inches of screen – a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. The Ioniq 6 uses the same software as other Hyundai models, which incorporate BlueLink for connectivity functions and can link with smartphones using either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, although they are not wireless (they must be plugged in). In a flash back to cars from the ’80s, most of the controls that you’d traditionally find in the doors (windows, door locks) are located on the center console.

The futuristic exterior and modest interior coincides nicely to a vehicle that is impressive to drive. The tester, an Ioniq 6 Limited with Long Range (361 miles) and with all-wheel drive and 20-inch wheels, carries a price tag of $58,425.00. It feels extremely quick, able to hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Acceleration is quiet, smooth and progressive – and its cabin is well-isolated. If all that quietness bothers you, there are settings that can be changed that will pipe in some noise according to throttle inputs.

Surprisingly, the Ioniq 6 handling is very engaging. Its low center of gravity gives it a planted, grippy feel in corners and around turns, making twisty roads quite enjoyable.

With looks and styling like nothing else out there, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a real eye-catcher. But it’s also functional, with its aerodynamic body and efficient powertrain, it can easily go over 300 miles – reducing driving range anxiety. And with pricing starting under $43,000, it undercuts its main competitor, the Tesla Model 3.

Last year, Hyundai made a big splash in the EV market when it introduced a cool, retro-styled, compact all-electric SUV called the Ioniq 5. Now, just a year later, Hyundai has followed it up with the Ioniq 6. And soon to be released will be the Ioniq 7 – a three-row, Palisade-size EV. There is no doubt that Hyundai, with its line of Ioniq vehicles, is dedicated to EVs.
— Christopher A. Randazzo

By The Numbers:

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited Long Range AWD

Base Price: $54,100.00
Price as Tested: $58,425.00
Layout: rear-engine / all-wheel drive
Engine: permanent-magnet AC electric motor
Transmission: direct drive
Horsepower: 225 hp
Torque: 258 lb/ft
EPA Fuel Economy: 103 MPGe (111 city / 94 highway mpg)

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