By the numbers, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 electrical sedan outpaces the Tesla Mannequin 3, improves on the associated Hyundai Ioniq 5, and matches the Lucid Air as probably the most environment friendly electrical automobile on sale within the U.S. Within the information age the place we’re dominated by algorithms, the favorable numeric information of the Ioniq 6 is spectacular. But Hyundai’s newest sedan is greater than only a quantity.Â
Its daring design elevates each type and performance into one thing incalculably extra. It simply appears to be like cool. There’s no quantity for that almost all subjective of takes. But its coolness serves the operate of constructing it probably the most aerodynamic manufacturing automobile within the model’s historical past. The curvaceous sedan’s super-low 0.22 coefficient of drag (0.21 in markets the place it makes use of camera-based facet mirrors) matches that of the Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan, which prices practically twice as a lot.Â
It additionally goes farther on a single cost. The Ioniq 6’s aerodynamics translate partially to 361 miles of vary, primarily based on EPA estimates, and an effectivity ranking of 4.2 miles per kwh for the SE Lengthy Vary rolling on 18-inch wheels. That matches the six-figure Lucid Air Touring AWD.Â
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Extra related, it beats the Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary AWD with its 358-mile vary and effectivity of three.9 miles per kwh.Â
Extra spectacular is how the Ioniq 6 does it. Not solely does it look totally different than something within the Hyundai and Genesis portfolio, it appears to be like nothing just like the homogenous crossover EV form that has dominated the previous couple years of EV introductions.
It shares its E-GMP underpinnings with the Ioniq 5 electrical hatchback that, in its most effective single-motor type, has a variety of 303 miles and a ranking of three.3 miles per kwh. Aero issues.Â
The sedan stretches practically 9 inches longer than the Ioniq 5, but its 116.1-inch wheelbase is 2.0 inches shorter. It additionally sits greater than 4 inches decrease and has a half-inch decrease floor clearance. It makes use of the identical 77.4-kwh battery pack and everlasting magnet synchronous motors with both a rear-drive unit or a dual-motor setup for all-wheel drive. It weighs about 50 kilos much less too, relying on trim and drivetrain selections. Later this summer season, Hyundai will supply a base SE Normal Vary with a 53-kwh battery pack and 240-mile vary for $42,715.
Aerodynamic design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6 carries automotive evolution on its curves, from the Saab 92 to the EQE and even a little bit of the Porsche 911 Carrera and its ducktail spoiler.Â
Impressed by plane and modeled by the Prophecy idea that marked the tip of the Ioniq hybrid and plug-in hybrid line for the absolutely electrical Ioniq sequence, the Ioniq 6 wears a hood that dips down low. A flat entrance finish with energetic air flaps doesn’t name to any model design language or merely substitute a flat panel for a grille. In profile, it most channels the Prophecy with slim gaps in wheel arches that home distinct 18-inch and 20-inch wheel designs.Â
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
The spherical theme continues over the coupe-like roofline to the rear, the place the Ioniq 6 splits the distinction between a whale tail and ducktail with an elliptical spoiler and a winglet above it.Â
Stamping all these curves collectively are over 700 parametric pixels, in accordance with Hyundai. These little squares flip the daytime working lights into mini ice dice trays. Similar out again, on the vertical reverse lights. They compose the lightbar spanning the rounded rear, the indicator lights on the facet mirrors, the garnish in the usual LED headlight housing, and so they’re stamped all around the inside— on the sprint trim, the door panels, even the useless pedal and the wi-fi smartphone charger.Â
Hyundai’s design workforce is clearly placing the enjoyable in useful with the Ioniq 6. As a substitute of the Hyundai brand on the steering wheel, there are 4 parametric pixels illuminated blue that briefly change colours primarily based on the steering-wheel mounted drive mode change, so Eco mode flashes inexperienced, and Sport mode flashes purple. It’s additionally Morse code for the letter H.
Apart from the pixels, the Ioniq 6 has the identical steering wheel because the Ioniq 5 with an offset drive mode button beneath the steering controls and a column-mounted gear shifter on the alternative facet. The dual 12.3-inch cluster and infotainment screens curve towards the motive force, as within the 5, however the similarities largely finish there.
How spacious is the Ioniq 6 inside?
It’s a roomy and open inside, nevertheless it lacks the airiness of electrics with flat fastened glass roofs. A panoramic sunroof will be optioned, nevertheless it eats up valuable area within the again, the place the Ioniq 6 conceals its greatest limitation as a result of aero. The roofline trims rear headroom sufficient so 6-foot passengers would want to slouch to suit. The rear seats have distinctive legroom of 39.2 inches, however toeroom will be tight with the entrance seats of their lowest place.Â
The tapered rear additionally cramps the trunk, which has a slim opening and solely 11.2 cubic toes of area. The 60/40-split rear seats fold flat, however for taller, bulkier objects, the Ioniq 6 is forbidding. The frunk received’t assist a lot both, with its 0.4 cubic toes of area holding a cost wire at finest.
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
The doorways lack any controls, with Hyundai as a substitute placing the ability door locks and home windows on the middle console bridge. A touch panel close to the motive force’s left knee homes facet mirror controls, the traction management button, and the digital parking brake. The bridge connects to the centerstack, with a wi-fi telephone charger and USB ports beneath the local weather management panel, and a tray down low on the flat ground.
How does the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 drive?
Behind the wheel it makes for a barely sportier trip than the Ioniq 5, primarily based on testing in a loaded Restricted AWD mannequin that tops the itemizing at $57,215, together with vacation spot. The twin-motor setup makes use of a 75-kw motor up entrance and a 165-kw motor on the rear that mix to make 320 hp and 446 lb-ft, identical as within the Ioniq 5, besides the 6 goes from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. It doesn’t leap off the road like another electrics, however there’s loads of punch to dash forward of site visitors and go vacationers and trailers on single-lane highways within the mountain-ringed desert outdoors of Scottsdale, Arizona, the place we did our testing.Â
The 168-kw single-motor model makes 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and it posts a 7.4-second time to 60 mph. I had restricted time in that mannequin, with an excessive amount of site visitors to share an sincere evaluation.Â
Both mannequin comes with an impartial suspension with MacPherson struts up entrance and a multilink rear. Rubber bushings substitute for hydraulic ones within the Ioniq 5 to attenuate highway vibrations to provide it a quietude that may’t be discovered within the Mannequin 3. Frequency-sensitive shocks with higher oil circulation are used for higher responsiveness to hurry and highway circumstances, nevertheless it’s additionally not as agile as a Mannequin 3.
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
The grip on my check automobile’s Pirelli P Zero tires was by no means examined to the restrict, however the sedan maintained its stability fairly properly. It leaned noticeably in turns, nonetheless, regardless of the decrease sedan stance.Â
5 drive modes, Eco, Regular, Sport, Snow, and Customized alter the torque distribution and steering enter. Sport adjusts the steering really feel from its default mild really feel to extra resistance, and it mechanically apportions torque between the axles for finest traction primarily based on inputs. In Eco mode, the entrance motor can disengage so parasitic drag is eradicated and vary elevated. Snow mode splits the torque evenly, appearing like a locking middle differential.
With an Ioniq 5 N mannequin launching this summer season, it’s cheap to anticipate an Ioniq 6 N mannequin that may ratchet up the efficiency with a lowered suspension, an digital limited-slip rear differential, and a Drift mode.Â
For now, the Ioniq 6 is extra spry than sporty, nevertheless it’s a peaceful, quiet automobile optimized for effectivity. Many electrical automobile house owners will prize that extra.Â
Ioniq 6 vary and charging
The Ioniq 6 is available in well-equipped SE grades, or SEL and high Restricted trims. Just like the Ioniq 5, all Ioniq 6 fashions are constructed on an 800-volt structure that allows 350-kw DC quick charging from 10-80% in 18 minutes, briefly reaching a peak price of about 235 kw. With an 10.9-kw board onboard charger, the Ioniq costs in a single day at house on a 240-volt connector in about eight hours. A warmth pump and battery heating system come customary to assist attain peak cost charges faster in chilly climates. Prime Restricted fashions include a vehicle-to-load (V2L) characteristic that may output 1.9 kw for 120-volt charging of home equipment, instruments, tenting gear, or to sluggish cost one other EV.
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6 comes with 4 regenerative braking settings through steering paddles, together with a one-pedal driving mode that requires some modulation on the throttle to keep away from abrupt grabbiness. Over practically 100 desert miles with out the HVAC on, the Ioniq 6 Restricted with 20-inch wheels outpaced its EPA estimate of three.1 miles per kwh, for a median of about 3.4 miles per kwh, primarily based on the journey pc. Even with the bottom vary of Ioniq 6 variants, the 270-mile estimate by no means left me with vary nervousness, whilst I neared 200 miles on the day’s finish.
As in any automobile, wheel and tire sizes make a giant distinction. The SE AWD with 18-inch wheels and fewer content material has a 316-mile vary and a rated EPA mixed effectivity of three.6 mi/kwh.
The SEL and Restricted RWD fashions have a variety of 305 miles and three.5 miles per kwh.
Ioniq 6 makes a distinction
All through my time with the Ioniq 6, I questioned why an EV intender would select this sedan over the extra sensible Hyundai Ioniq 5 or the sportier, extra tech-forward bestseller generally known as the Tesla Mannequin 3.Â
The additional three miles of vary is a advertising level greater than a promoting level, however the effectivity, which doesn’t get as a lot consideration as fuel mileage within the EV area, is plain.Â
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Furthermore, the Ioniq 6 is a loaded worth, even when it doesn’t qualify for the most recent iteration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit score. It comes with customary driver-assist tech reminiscent of automated emergency braking, blind-spot displays, energetic lane management, and adaptive cruise management all the way down to a cease. New entrance and rear nook radar sensors, in addition to new digicam {hardware}, make the driver-assist tech extra complete in detecting cyclists, pedestrians, and turning automobiles. Along with the 12.3-inch screens (that also requires a wired smartphone connection), customary gear consists of heated entrance seats, an influence driver seat, 5 USB ports, and an up to date Digital Key smartphone controller that now not requires a subscription.
All of these items are compelling. However probably the most compelling attribute of the Ioniq is that it appears to be like totally different, and never simply to look totally different. It received’t be for everybody, however the marriage of type and performance elevates it.
–Hyundai paid for lodging and airfare for Inexperienced Automotive Stories to current this firsthand report.
