Brian Armstead, Special Contributor
As auto manufacturers race toward partial or full electrification, one brand is building an electric vehicle arsenal that could catapult it ahead of the current number one EV brand: Tesla.
Hyundai and their new 2023 IONIQ 6 is an affordable, well contented, technologically advanced EV.
IONIQ 6 joins IONIQ 5 and the Kona in Hyundai’s full-electric lineup.
The IONIQ 6 is offered in SE Standard Range (rear wheel drive only), SE, SEL and premium Limited trims, with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive powertrains.
IONIQ 6 Exterior/Interior
Stunning is the word that best describes the sensuous, low-slung appeal of the IONIQ 6 exterior. Hyundai refers to the IONIQ 6 as the “Streamliner” which reminds me of sleek locomotives back in the day, and of the iconic Airstream “Silver Bullet” travel trailers.
The IONIQ 6 interior is dominated by a continuous-raised housing that stretches from the driver’s side to the center dash. A pair of 12.3″ screens are in the housing, providing the driver with pertinent road and vehicle information.
The interior also features a raft of sustainable materials, from sugar-cane and canola flower extracts to create paint and yarn for the interior. Recycled plastics and eco-processed leather also play a big role in the IONIQ 6’s “green” efforts.
IONIQ 6 Drive Experience
On roadways surrounding Savannah, Georgia, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the IONIQ 6 excelled. Our test Limited AWD was an impressive road carver, and all trims are extremely quiet.
Cost: IONIQ 6 prices begin at $41,600. Top trim Limited models start at $52,600. These prices do not include destination charges ($1,115).
Range/Charging: Standard Range SE trim is RWD only and yields 240 miles of range. Long Range RWD ups range to 361 miles. Long Range AWD offers 316 miles.
IONIQ 6 is designed to handle up to 800 volts, allowing for a 10-80% charge in just 18 minutes, or 65 miles of range in five minutes. Using a Level 2 home charger nets a full charge in just over seven hours.
Safety: As well as seven air bags as standard, IONIQ 6 is equipped with the next level of Hyundai SmartSense Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. These include Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), which helps to maintain a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead when driving on a highway and helps to center the vehicle in the lane while driving, even through corners.
Things to know: Using the Vehicle-to-Load function, IONIQ 6 can power small appliances, devices and charge other EVs via a 120-volt outlet that supplies up to 1.9 kW of power.
Pros:
- Impressive acceleration
- Awesome styling
- Standard Advanced Driver Assistance Safety Systems
Cons:
- Small cargo area
- Sloping roof line means taller rear-seat passengers may not fit
- All controls are digital, including window controls, requiring eyes off the road to manipulate
