Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE Inside Evaluation: Wide array, material seats

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 you are right here is the SE, the bottom rung on the trim degree with the larger 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack (there’s an SE Customary Vary). That is the primary time Autoblog is testing this model, though it is uncommon for us or any automotive publication to check base fashions like this. First, carmakers need the nicest-possible variations to be reviewed in an effort to enhance the probabilities of a constructive consequence, which implies higher trims. Second, and fewer cynically, they need as most of the automobile’s options to be reviewed, which once more, means higher trims. 

Exceptions occur when decrease trim ranges are tied to another elementary aspect. For example, the very best 2023 Honda Accord trim degree accessible with a gas-only engine is the second-from-the-bottom EX. The Ioniq 6 is one other instance: The SE is the most-efficient model with the long-range battery, good for 361 miles versus 305. That is an infinite distinction, and it comes right down to effectivity, seemingly associated to the SE’s smaller 18-inch wheels (versus 20). The one-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup is one other key issue; a dual-motor SE long-range is simply good for 316 miles.

OK, however we’re right here to speak concerning the inside, and in order for you the most-efficient, longest-range Ioniq 6, that inside goes to seem like this. The seats shall be material, and each inside floor shall be black other than the silver trim bits. 

Above, you possibly can see the distinction between the SE and a Restricted. Be aware the two-tone grey surfaces instead of all that black, though there’s an all-black model accessible. Sure exterior colours, together with our tester’s lovely Digital Inexperienced, may be paired with a combo of grey and Darkish Inexperienced, the latter of which seems on the sprint prime and steering wheel. It is fairly cool.

OK, however you possibly can’t have that within the SE. 

This is the obvious distinction: the upholstery. As a substitute of the “bio-based” H-Tex simulated leather-based upholstery discovered on the higher trim ranges, the SE will get material. It is fairly unremarkable stuff. Contemplating the basic distinction between the SE and different trim ranges, I believe this factor ought to have H-Tex, too, and in the reduction of in different areas. Or, I do not know, supply better-equipped variations with the 18-inch wheels? I am simply spitballing right here.

The motive force seat is eight-way energy adjustable and heated. The Restricted provides air flow and reminiscence settings, plus an influence passenger seat.

Right here is one other key distinction: The SE would not not have a wi-fi charger. As a substitute, it has this bin, which is okay in idea, however it’s a tough plastic floor. Your cellphone or no matter simply slides round on it and it is annoying. 

On the upside, the USB information port wanted for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wi-fi not accessible) is correct right here. It is annoyingly down by the ground within the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 (the Ioniq 6’s mechanically associated cousins that share the identical E-GMP platform). 

The Ioniq 6 additionally differs from its E-GMP siblings, in addition to most vehicles on the highway, by finding its window switches and door lock buttons on the middle console. Because the proprietor of an previous BMW, that is fairly straightforward to wrap my head round, however for everybody else moreover Jeep Wrangler house owners, that is going to be unusual. Hyundai says it is to make the doorways look uncluttered. I say it is also so they do not need to put controls on each the motive force and passenger doorways, or swap issues round for right-hand-drive markets. In any occasion, it is higher than placing them in a touchscreen. 

The again doorways nonetheless have window switches.

Right here is that good, uncluttered door panel. It’s positively a nice-looking door panel, I am going to give ’em that.

The mirror controls aren’t on the doorways, both, neither is the parking brake on the middle console as in different Hyundai/Kias. They be a part of this different stuff to the left of the steering wheel. 

The door’s bottle holder is just not significantly helpful, although, which is a typical situation in Hyundais and Kias.

Middle console cupholders are fairly normal. Common depth and diameter, respectable grippage. 

Like most EVs, there’s considerable floor-level storage, on this case, beneath the floating middle console. It’s large enough to suit my digital camera bag, which I might say is corresponding to a mean purse.

Fortunately, this bin does have a rubber floor to forestall issues from sliding round.

This smaller bin, nonetheless, remains to be arduous plastic. Situated aft of the window switches and partially lined by the armrest bin cowl, it will be an honest place to place a cellphone if it did not permit it to slip everywhere.

Past this sliding situation, this grade of plastic would not appear applicable for a automobile of this dimension and worth.

Let’s flip to tech. This may be the very same unit discovered within the Ioniq 5, which homes touch-sensitive local weather controls and bodily controls for infotainment shortcuts (together with buttons, a quantity knob and bizarre tuning toggle). 

I am unable to say I really like the all-touch local weather controls, particularly for temp enhance/lower which can be higher served by knobs. You additionally need to dig into the local weather menu to have interaction sync. That stated, they’re separate from the touchscreen, so as of late, that is a win.

Now, whereas I’m at all times appreciative of bodily infotainment shortcuts, the Ioniqs lose a key button present in different Hyundais and Kias: Radio. Usually, there’s each Radio and Media, the latter of which incorporates Bluetooth Audio and USB-connected units. Right here, there’s solely Media, which signifies that Radio will get lumped into it. As such, in an effort to get to the radio display screen, you have to now both press media twice to deliver up a media menu, then press FM, AM or SiriusXM on the touchscreen, or click on Dwelling on the touchscreen and click-click-click to the specified radio menu. 

In fact, that star button is customizable, so I may make {that a} radio button. However that might imply I couldn’t make it the Apple CarPlay (aka Telephone Projection) button, which is a superb function. 

Right here is the touchscreen. That is principally the very same format as in my very own automobile, the Kia Niro EV, in addition to varied Hyundais. It’s completely different than the Kia EV6’s audio look. 

You may swap these to a white background through the day, however no thanks.

Listed here are the assorted instrument panel seems, which admittedly, aren’t very completely different. They’re tied to the drive mode. Clockwise from higher left (or if on cell, pics 1,2,4 and three): regular, eco and sport, plus my view of the gauges. In contrast to within the Ioniq 5 and EV6, which have very comparable designs, I can truly see the pace and vary figures. 

What’s that bizarre squared-off trim panel that juts out? That will be the place the video aspect “mirror” show could be in different markets. We get old school mirrors. I am OK with that.

The seats are material, however the steering wheel is wrapped in leather-based. I like this wheel fairly a bit because of the just-right grips at 3 and 9. 

These little dots are literally lights. They flash inexperienced when you choose eco mode and purple when you choose sport.

This Drive Mode management on the wheel seems like a knob, as in Porsches with the Sport Chrono Bundle, however it’s only a button. 

Right here is the shifter, which is identical because the Ioniq 5’s. It is sensible in principle: Twist ahead for Drive, twist backward for reverse. Besides, for those who’re used to “monostable” shifters on the middle console the place you push ahead for reverse and pull again for drive, this management setup will appear backwards. 

I do not suppose this can be a downside, it does make sense. It is simply that you could be must reprogram your mind relying in your final automobile.

Right here is the again seat. There may be tons of legroom right here: The motive force seat is pushed approach again for a 6-foot-3 driver. Clearly loads of room for an enormous baby seat, too. 

Nonetheless, the seat is kind of low (my knees had been significantly far above the seat backside) to make up for the low roof, which was nonetheless grazing my head. 

As in different EVs, there’s a flat rear flooring.

You additionally get huge air vents and USB-C ports within the SE.

Lastly, right here is the trunk. It measures solely 11.2 cubic-feet, which is kind of small for a sedan. The sloped opening and trunk lid could be the massive downside. I am going to do a deep dive in right here in a future baggage take a look at, however as a sneak preview, not all my regular luggage match inside. 

Clearly, the Ioniq 5 is best on this specific regard, though it additionally has its cargo points. 

So there you might have it, the Ioniq 6 SE’s inside. I believe I might spring for the SEL or Restricted and dwell with 305 miles of vary, which remains to be an terrible lot. I do not like this specific material upholstery, the hard-plastic bins are annoying, and I actually just like the accessible inexperienced sprint.