SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — What do you see when you look at it? hyundai Ioniq 6? Even if you know what’s hidden deep inside, it’s not visually evoked but just another repetition of ionq 5, which shares the same Hyundai Group E-GMP electric platform. Ditto KIA EV6 or so bright GV60. If you’re particularly sensitive to the power of suggestion, Hyundai will make you associate it with airplanes, and its description of its “electrical plane” can propel you further in that direction. On the other hand, your keen marketing BS detector might make you opt out of those convenient links. After all, the Ioniq 6 is just a reworked 5, right? And that’s probably enough reason to like it, though its sedan form factor probably offers less utility than its crossover sibling—disguised as a hatchback.
But there’s little to distinguish between the Ioniq 5 and 6 on paper at first glance, almost unsettling considering how close they are for the price. Are we really just choosing between body style and design?
The price and configuration of the Ioniq 6 largely mirror the price of the Ioniq 5. The starting price of the Ioniq 6 is $42,715 (including $1,115 on arrival) for the SE version with the standard range. battery and rear-wheel drive. Its 53-kilowatt-hour battery matches the EPA-estimated 240-mile range on a full charge, with its single motor making 149 hp — slightly less than the Ioniq’s 168 hp. 5 base — and 258 pound-feet of torque.
From there, everything else has a longer-range battery with a capacity of 77.4 kWh. Regardless of make, the RWD version’s single engine delivers 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The dual-motor and therefore all-wheel drive versions have a healthy 320 horsepower total and an impressive 446 pound-feet of torque.
Where it starts to get really interesting is in the estimated range figures. The SE version, with 18-inch wheels and a starting price of $46,615, will go a blazing fast 361 miles on a single charge in RWD form, while the $50,115 AWD version will do a still impressive 316 miles. statue. Moving up to the rear-wheel drive SEL ($48,815) and Limited ($53,715) resulted in an estimated 305 miles lower due to their 20-inch wheels, which is roughly the same range as the Ioniq 5 (303 miles) with 19-wheeler. its inches. inch shoes. The AWD versions of the SEL ($52,315) and Line-topping Limited ($57,215) still have a respectable 270-mile range, 3 miles more than the Ioniq 5. Regardless of battery type or powertrain, the Ioniq 6 will still charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes using 350 kW fast DC charger — the maximum charge for a long-range battery is about 235 kW.
Wheel size takes part in the Ioniq 6’s impressive range, as does the increased efficiency of a new engine. generation silicon carbide chips. But just looking at the car, the aerodynamic factor cannot be ignored. Clearly, the shape of the Ioniq 6 is much more polished than the shape of the Ioniq 5. In addition to the elongated shape, which begins with a deeply curved nose and ends at the winged rear spoiler, the Ioniq 6 uses tricks. other aerodynamic techniques to keep it slick. On the lower front face are active spoilers, with the spoilers towards the bumper edges. A little lip in front of the front wheels helps reduce air gaps and the aerodynamic wheel covers help air slide through. On either side just in front of the rear bumper is an “airflow separation trap” that helps manage airflow around the rear. Overall, the Ioniq 6 achieves an impressive drag coefficient of 0.22, on par with Porsche Taycan and slightly behind Tesla Model WILL, Mercedes-Benz EQS and clean air.
That’s not what we were thinking, but enough people seem to have commented that Ioniq 6 evokes Porsche 911 that Hyundai Vice President and Director of the Hyundai Design Center, Hak Soo Ha, tackled what he called the “elephant in the room” in front of the media gathered in Scottsdale. “When you… get on a Boeing or an Airbus, you never ask, ‘Who copied who?’ Because air is air.” And that’s what led to the shape of the Ioniq 6. In this direction, he said the 6 was inspired by airplanes, football and, in the automotive sector, Fat dung beetle. However, the wonderful waiters, who would allow us into McDowell Mountain Park, even noted similarities with porsche.
When photos of the Ioniq 6 were released, it was hard not to wonder how its teardrop shape would affect its viability. Even seeing it in person, the question of interior space lingers until the rear door is opened. “Damn it,” was the first word that came out when seeing the absolute space between the rear seat cushions and front seats. And that’s with the front seats pushed quite far back. Indeed, a tall person can comfortably sit behind another equally long-legged person. Well, as long as they’re not too long or like to wear big hats. Headroom is lacking, especially for people sitting closer to the dashboard.
We started this drive in the rain with a limited AWD. If you have driven an Ioniq 5 or KIA EV6, you almost know what to expect in terms of acceleration. It’s not dizzyingly fast, but the 5-second 0-60 sprint is enough to make the occupants giggle with glee. Pushing the Ioniq 6 through corners, the sheer grip it exhibits is enjoyable, even on wet desert pavement. It feels more grippy than the fun tail-hooks we were able to get from the Ioniq 5. The suspension tuning is also a treat. It’s tough enough to track the ripples of the road, but numbs cracks, manhole covers, and other imperfections. The 6’s movement characteristics cheerfully reflect its sporty appearance and complement its torque-rich powertrain.
It was almost as fun as jostling through six windy desert roads to catch up with the rest of our group and see the same vehicle in action. There’s something about seeing that sculpted tail descend as it accelerates, and the jet of water from the rear tire swirls up and then inwards before dissipating completely, knowing that any driver behind us are also seeing the same phenomenon.
We then swapped our top-of-the-range for the longest-range Ioniq 6, the SE RWD with the same 77.4 kWh battery. In terms of exterior, there are not many differences compared to the AWD version other than 18-inch wheels. Inside, the SE swaps out the Hi-Tex seat material with a plain fabric. It also eliminates the sunroof, making the overhead space a bit less cramped. The rest of the interior looks essentially the same – the same materials, the same style, the same layout, even the same dual screens. It is not until driving, of course, that the difference becomes apparent, in the powertrain, of course, but also in absent technological features such as a blind-spot camera, automatic. Wipers for windshield and heated steering wheel.
While not as fast as the more powerful AWD versions, the RWD is still no slouch, accelerating to 60 mph in just about 7 seconds. Even in the rain, it had to hit one foot all the way to the floor at an angle for the rear tire to slide out in any noticeable way, and even then everything reeled with guaranteed precision. Road connections aren’t as sharp as the Limited’s on its 20-inch cars, which could be a shortcoming in a location like the Angeles Crest Freeway or a boon on Michigan’s sleazy infrastructure, but make a little difference in the Arizona desert. You choose to go.
Considering how much range is available and how little sacrifice is made in terms of comfort and convenience, it’s hard not to prioritize the lower-cost SE RWD with a long-range battery. Some features of the higher trims are certainly omitted, but you can get an extra 56 miles on the same package (or 46 miles if you’re comparing AWD versions) for a lower price of 2,200 USD compared to the SEL and about 7,000 USD compared to the Limited version. like a damn good deal.
At the end of the drive it is remarkable how car washThe paint’s still there, except for the rear. Everywhere else – the nose, the doors, the rear fender – was squeezed out by the constant dry air it raced through. Only the rear fender below the ski spoiler is speckled with dusty water spewing from the road. It feels special.
So damn it, which would you choose if you had to choose: Ioniq 5 or 6? Having driven both of them, it’s not a question we want to entertain anymore, but one that we feel jealous of who had to. It’s more complicated just hatchback utility (Ioniq 5) than it is more efficient (Ioniq 6). There’s a hugely different styling to be considered, as well as the fact that the 6 has a ride that matches its sporty aesthetic. But if you don’t feel burdened by the need to carry bulky cargo and you prefer the sleek curves of the 6 or the square neoclassical style of the 5, your choice will be easy. easy.
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