When I first saw images of the Ioniq 6 posted on the social media channels of my go-to Hyundai dealer, I was rather unkind to its appearance. But after spending a week driving one, I have grown to like it.
Up against it with rivals such as the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 Fastback, or the EQE Saloon from Mercedez-Benz, Hyundai really need to be on their A-game to ensure its latest EV is up to the demands of EV owners, especially business users.
Amidst a sea of SUV’s and crossovers, the Ioniq 6 looks very unconventional, given its sleek body style with low-slung roof line. With a look that is sure to turn heads, a claimed range of over 300 miles is sure to raise an eyebrow, too.
The Ioniq 6’s ‘streamliner’ design provides a silhouette that boasts an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21, not only aiding the aesthetics, but also its range and efficiency. Inside, the Ioniq 6’s cabin is bright and roomy. Offering plenty of room for five passengers, rear occupant’s head room is impacted a little due to the dipping roof line, but it will only be noticed by those above average height.
The boot offers a usable capacity of 401-litres, while the rear seats split 60:40. There is also storage under the bonnet offering room for a charging cable. Easy-to-use tech is in abundance along with simple button operation for the likes of the climate control.w
Three grades are available starting with a ‘Premium’ priced from £46,985 (RWD) / £50,485 (AWD) which features paddle shift – regenerative braking, 20-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light, leather wrapped steering wheel, alloy pedals, front seat electric adjustments and lumbar support, and heated front and outer rear seats.
Dual zone climate control, auto rain sensing wipers, LED daytime running lights, interior ambient lighting, LED headlights with high beam assist, privacy glass, LED rear lights, battery heading system with pre-conditioning, door mirrors – electric adjustment and heated with power folding function, drive mode select – eco / normal / sport, frunk – under the bonnet storage, heat pump, and heated steering wheel.
Also featuring are front & rear parking sensors with rear-view camera, smart cruise control with stop & go, smart electric tailgate, smart key – keyless entry with engine start/stop button, smart regenerative braking, Bluelink (connected car services) and live services (3-year subscription), and Bluetooth connectivity with voice recognition.
A driver’s supervision instrument cluster with full TFT 12.3-inch display, over the air updates, Android Auto & Apply CarPlay, USB charging and connectivity ports, and wireless phone charging.
An abundance of safety features include anti-lock brake system, blind spot collision avoidance assist, e-call, electronic stability control, forward collision avoidance assist – car, pedestrian, cycle, forward collision avoidance assist – junction turning, highway drive assist level 2, hill-start assist control, intelligent speed limit assist, lane follow assist, lane keep assist – line and road edge, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist, and tyre pressure monitoring system with individual tyre pressure warning.
An ‘Ultimate’ starts from £50,485 (RWD) / £53,985 (AWD) and adds auto flush door handles, driver’s seat memory function, front relaxation seats, ventilated front seats, electronic tilt & slide sunroof, blind spot view monitor, head-up display, parking system – surround view monitor, remote smart parking assist, BOSE Premium Audio – 7 Speakers + 1 Subwoofer, and LED steering wheel lights.
The range topping ‘First Edition’ starts from £55,235 and adds matte black 20-inch alloy wheels, high glossy black bumpers and side moulding, leather encased seats with tartan designed fabric, vehicle-to-load exterior adapter, and parking collision avoidance assist-reverse and forward.
Three optional extras are available which include metallic / pearl paint at £700, matte paint at £900, and digital side mirrors ay £995. A BIK band of 2% ensures the IONIQ 6 will be most popular with business users.
All IONIQ 6 models come with a 77.4kWh battery which produced 225PS if you opt for the rear-wheel-drive, single motor, or a significant 325PS in all-wheel-drive guise. Charging will take 7 hrs 10 mins on an 11kW home charger, or 1 hr 13 mins on a 50kW rapid charger.
With the entry level Ioniq 6 capable of a 0-62mph time of just 7.4 seconds, the twin-motor all-wheel-drive Hyundai will do this dash in a hugely impressive 5.1 seconds. Compared to many of its SUV siblings and rivals, the Ioniq 6 feels almost sporty on the road thanks to its ability to carry its weight.
It’s an incredibly comfortable and confident place to spend time, rather than sporty. And although on rougher roads the Ioniq 6 feels a little unsettled and jittery, it’s in no way horrible and unpredictable like that experienced with most electric vehicle’s handling mannerisms.
Hyundai offers a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty along with an 8-year / 100,000-mile high voltage battery warranty.
