There’s actually no getting round the truth that the Ioniq 6 appears downright unusual. Its exterior is an amalgamation of styling cues from different automobiles. The entrance finish appears like a Polestar 2 with a slim grille and first-generation Ford Focus headlights. The profile and pinched rear evoke the Mercedes CLA and CLS and the Infiniti J30, with a Prius-like mid-window spoiler thrown in for good measure.
It is not terribly cohesive, however we suppose some sacrifices needed to be made to realize the Ioniq 6’s ultra-low 0.21 drag coefficient. For reference, that will make the Ioniq 6 solely barely bulkier than the world’s most aerodynamic manufacturing automobile, the Mercedes-Benz EQS. And as we discovered on the highway, this modern kind issue does nice issues for the automobile’s vary.
What’s below the Ioniq 6’s hood?
The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 share a platform, so it is no shock that the 2 additionally draw from the identical set of powertrains. Like its smaller SUV stablemate, the Ioniq 6 comes normal with a short-range battery pack and rear-wheel drive — although it does have a smaller capability of 53 kWh in comparison with the Ioniq 5’s 58-kWh pack. The usual Ioniq 6 packs 149 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque — equal torque, however simply shy of the bottom Ioniq 5’s 168 ponies.
This new EV feels extra alive if you go for the 77.4-kWh pack. Not solely does it have extra vary than the bottom model, but it surely additionally features a bigger rear motor producing 225 horsepower. Choosing all-wheel drive provides one other motor up entrance, with a mixed 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque from each sources. Hyundai says this top-spec model can speed up from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, however we expect will probably be even faster than that, primarily based on our 4.7-second run in an AWD Ioniq 5.
How about vary and charging?
The EPA has but to charge the Ioniq 6, however we are able to kind some guesses from the automobile’s official WLTP cycle numbers. Based mostly on these figures, it would not shock us to see over 300 miles for the AWD model and probably 350 miles for the long-range RWD. These are appreciable good points over the Ioniq 5.
Hyundai says the long-range battery/RWD combo is nice for roughly 381 miles per the extra beneficiant European WLTP normal — that is 66 miles higher than the Ioniq 5’s finest WLTP vary quantity. For reference, the Ioniq 5’s EPA-estimated vary is 220 miles with the usual pack, 303 miles with rear-wheel drive and the long-range battery, and 256 miles with the AWD powertrain.
As you’d count on, the slipperier Ioniq 6 is alleged to be extra energy-efficient too — Hyundai’s estimate of about 22.5 kWh/100 miles would put essentially the most environment friendly Ioniq 6 variant (smaller battery, RWD, 18-inch wheels) close to the highest of the charts amongst present EVs.
As with its crossover counterpart, the Ioniq 6 sedan’s 800-volt structure permits it to make use of the speediest DC fast-charging tools in the marketplace. When plugged into one of many rising variety of 350-kW ultrafast chargers, the Ioniq 6 can recharge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes — simply sufficient time to seize espresso from Starbucks at rush hour. A vehicle-to-load operate (or V2L) means which you can energy exterior gadgets, together with different EVs.
How does the Ioniq 6 drive?
We have pushed the Ioniq 6, however we will begin with a caveat right here. Whereas South Korea is a enjoyable journey on paper, the precise consequence was a driving route completely affected by pace cameras and Los Angeles-shaming site visitors ranges. The reality is that we had the Ioniq 6 below 50 miles per hour the complete journey. A while on our Edmunds real-world testing route is required for the total story.
We spent our time piloting essentially the most highly effective Ioniq 6 (for now), the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft. Via a collection of very quick acceleration bursts, the Ioniq 6 was brisk, akin to most EVs on this rising section. We’re thrilled to get our fingers on the eventual Ioniq 6 N, however for now this model of the automobile is fast for on a regular basis driving. And if site visitors slows you down prefer it did us, liven issues up with the energetic sound profile to make enjoyable spaceship noises if you press the go pedal.
Like within the Ioniq 5, we love that Hyundai provides a spread of brake regeneration ranges with this new EV. The steering wheel-mounted paddles let you choose between a number of ranges of regen, from none to one-pedal driving. This implies the automobile will come to a full cease with out having to hit the brakes. One-pedal driving maximizes vary and maintains the lifetime of the automobile’s stoppers over time.
How snug is the Ioniq 6?
It did not take lengthy to get good and comfortable within the Ioniq 6’s leather-wrapped seats. They provide satisfactory help, and the fabric itself is plush to the contact. On our loaded take a look at automobile, heating and air flow are additionally alongside for the trip, making issues even higher. And there may be plentiful legroom for each rows of passengers, once more because of that lengthy wheelbase.
We had been pleasantly shocked by the Ioniq’s supple suspension tuning. Some EVs with their huge physique weight can crash down exhausting over bumps within the highway, however the Hyundai had nice manners the complete time — and belief us, there have been loads of pace bumps to check. This was a Korean-spec automobile, so there’s a likelihood that the U.S.-market model has totally different tuning. However we would like issues to stay related.
The Ioniq 6 additionally did an excellent job maintaining exterior noise to a minimal. Granted, we by no means reached a wholesome freeway pace to stress-test wind noise, however metropolis driving brought on no concern. This automobile provides an excellent house to escape the hustles and bustles of a thriving metropolis like Seoul.
