First Drive: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 All-Electric Sedan

 

What's New: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the brand's first all-electric sedan. The midsize sedan looks similar to the brand's midsize Sonata. However, the Ioniq 6 has a longer wheelbase, which equates to more leg room. 

Distinctive Styling: The styling of the Ioniq 6 is quite distinctive. From a side profile, the vehicle takes styling cues from the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Porsche Panamera both which are high end luxury vehicles. 

The rear end exudes an air of sophistication, with its double rear spoiler. Hyundai's folks say their latest EV is reminiscent of the cars from the 30s. In more modern terms, the Ioniq 6 rear styling harkens back to the classy looking Cadillac Seville sedan of the eighties. The bending of the rear sheet metal provides more efficiency, enhancing the driving range.

Driving Range: Depending upon the trim, the driving range spans from 240 miles to an eye-popping 360-mile driving range, according to Hyundai. 

Hyundai continues to up the ante in terms of driving range in the EV space.

Charging Capability: This is one of the few electric vehicles that can use an 800V DC ultra-fast chargers, which can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes.

Horsepower:

Single engine: 149-hp

Dual engine: 320-hp

Trims Available: The spacious roomy sedan with its rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration is available in seven trims. The trims range from a base SE rear-wheel drive model to a higher-end Limited all-wheel drive model.

Pricing: The base SE model has a starting price of $42,715. The sedan is eligible for a $7,500 price reduction under Biden's Inflation Reduction Act for those who opt to lease.

What It Lacked: To hold down the cost, Hyundai didn't offer a heads-up windshield display or rear reading lights for the passengers situated in the bench-like living room seat. And to our surprise, real leather seats aren't available. 

Availability: The Ioniq 6 is available in dealerships now. However, inventory is extremely limited.

Competitors: Tesla's Model 3 and the hard-to-find Polestar 2 dealers

Verdict: With the Hyundai Ioniq 6 being the third all-electric vehicle to join the brand's line up, the Koreans are rivaling Tesla in the electric vehicle space, offering more affordable options than its America counterpart.

While we only spent a short time behind the wheel and even more time in the rear seating with the product planner for the brand, the Ioniq 6 seemingly is ready to play in the midsize car segment, offering sophisticated styling, rapid charging, an anxiety-free driving range, affordable pricing, loads of interior space, the latest safety driving aids and horsepower galore. 

Like the hatchback-like Ioniq 5 that was introduced in 2022, Hyundai has another winner on its hand. 

For more info on pricing, standard equipment and options, visit our new car-pricing buying guide configurator located on the right of this website.