Not counting the not-yet-fully-revealed electric INSTER, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is one of the newest additions to Hyundai’s family of electric vehicles. Introduced with much anticipation, this model brings modern design, advanced technology and eco-friendly solutions that will appeal not only to electric mobility enthusiasts, but also to everyday drivers looking for an alternative to traditional internal combustion engines. So let’s take a look together at the design, performance, interior, technology and overall driving experience.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 features a sleek and futuristic design that reflects current trends in the electric car industry. The aerodynamic shape with a low coefficient of drag (only 0.21cx) contributes to better efficiency and longer range. The front grille is minimalist, with slim LED lights that give the car a modern look. The rear is equally stylish, with an integrated spoiler and a unique light signature that ensures visibility even at night.
The interior is exceedingly spacious, modern and quite luxurious. High quality recycled materials are used here, while the design of the entire interior is very clean and functional. Great emphasis is placed on the aforementioned eco-friendly materials, which are environmentally friendly. The huge seats are very comfortable and provide good support, while they are equipped with features such as heating, ventilation or complete electric adjustment. The rear seats, on the other hand, offer plenty of space for taller passengers, ensuring comfort even on longer journeys.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is packed with modern technology. The infotainment system’s large 12.3-inch touchscreen is intuitive but rather lax in its response to touch. The system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for easy smartphone integration. The digital instrument cluster provides all the necessary information for the driver in a clear format, and you can opt for a futuristic white background or go the classic route of black screens. Other technological conveniences include advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping system, or active blind-spot monitoring or HDA assist for driving and lane-changing on motorways.
Safety is also a priority for Hyundai, and the IONIQ 6 is no exception. The vehicle is equipped with a wide range of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a tire pressure monitoring system. There’s also a 360-degree camera system that makes parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces easier.
As an option, we have digital mirrors with displays inside and sort of square antennae on the outside. This would be the only extra equipment item I would definitely change my mind about, and thanks to Hyundai for making these mirrors only an option in any trim. From a chauffeur’s point of view, they offer virtually no benefit and you drive and especially park much better with conventional mirrors. However, you can also get used to digital screens, you just need to be more cautious when manoeuvring.
Premium features include Matrix Full LED headlights, heat pump, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, 360-degree camera system, head-up display, remote parking assist, dual ambient interior lighting, Bose audio system with 8 speakers and external amplifier, or wireless phone charging, to name a few. You can add to these features with a sunroof or the aforementioned digital rear-view mirrors.
The AWD IONIQ 6 tested is equipped with a pair of electric motors that provide four-wheel drive. This system delivers a combined power output of 325 hp and a maximum torque of 605 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 5.1 seconds, which is impressive for a vehicle in this category weighing almost 2.1 tonnes.
Thanks to the large 77.4 kWh battery, this version achieves a range of up to 583 or 519km on the WLTP cycle, which is more than sufficient for most everyday needs. That longer range is thanks to the 18-inch wheels. Obviously, the range is lower on the larger 20-inch wheels.
Around town, the IONIQ 6 can go well under 15kWh/100km, and it handled out-of-town and motorway journeys with an average of 15.4kWh/100km. A brisk highway move puts it at 21kWh/100km, and our test week was quite cold and mostly rainy.
In terms of consumption, it’s worth mentioning the very well set up energy recuperation when the accelerator is released. Use the paddles on the steering wheel to set the degree you’re comfortable with – from full glide with no recuperation to essentially one-pedal control. And there’s also a very intelligent automatic mode that reacts to traffic and incorporates map cues into the calculation, so that when approaching a roundabout, for example, the car automatically slows down to a level where the speed is safe to pass.
Being based on the E-GMP platform with 800V architecture, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 will offer up to 350kW of DC charging. On a suitable ultra-fast charger (and under ideal conditions), it can recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes. On the most common 50kW stands, this works out at about an hour when charging from 10 to 80 per cent. Home AC charging using the supplied 230V charger is of course for emergencies only, and here you will be charging for more than a day.
The IONIQ 6’s driving characteristics are very good, thanks to its all-wheel drive system. The twin electric motor system provides good traction and stability, but the steering can feel less communicative and doesn’t offer as much feedback as more sport-minded drivers might like. The chassis is set up for comfort, which is a plus for casual driving, but will show its limits very soon in sportier driving. However, the IONIQ 6’s low centre of gravity makes it stable and the higher weight of the batteries is only felt in steeper manoeuvres.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 AWD Premium is an excellent electric car that offers a combination of modern design, advanced technology, high performance and great driving characteristics. It can meet the demands of a wide range of drivers, from those looking for an eco-friendly alternative to those who are passionate about performance and advanced technology. With a more than respectable range and a wealth of equipment, the IONIQ 6 is one of the best options in the electric vehicle segment.
