Hyundai Ioniq 6 Review 2024

The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a stylish new electric 'streamliner' intended to take on the BMW i4, Tesla Model 3 and, if we're being bold, the Porsche Taycan. It combines an impressive range with head-turning design, an array of technology and a superb cabin, making it one of the best electric cars you can buy today.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Genesis GV60 and Kia EV6 are three excellent EVs and they all have one thing in common: they're based on the same Hyundai E-GMP platform. That also underpins the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6, which puts it in a really strong position right from the start.

But first off, what exactly is the Hyundai Ioniq 6? It's essentially a big, slippery saloon - much like the new Volkswagen ID.7. It's the kind of car that you think most people will ignore in favour of spacious SUVs, but you only have to look at the popularity of the Tesla Model 3 to see why manufacturers are taking this segment seriously.

Besides, efficiency is crucial for electric vehicles, and big SUVs just aren't that good at providing the most bang for your buck. Even electric SUVs can't cut through the air particularly cleanly, while they're usually very heavy - which means they need big batteries if they're going to travel far between charges.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6's swoopy shape means it ought to be very efficient in the real world. And its 77kWh battery provides a very useable range: up to 322 miles in all-wheel-drive models, and 338 miles in the real-wheel-drive version.

So far, we've only driven the more affordable Hyundai Ioniq 6 RWD. With its single 228PS electric motor, it didn't leave us wanting any more. Its 7.4-second 0-62mph time is positively relaxed compared to the fastest Tesla models, but we quite like 'relaxed'. It feels utterly serene with road and wind noise almost banished entirely, while there's more than enough pep for a cheeky overtake.

Thanks to the Hyundai Ioniq 6's large exterior dimensions, it's pretty spacious inside. We were amazed by the rear legroom on offer, although taller passengers might find their hair brushing the Ioniq 6's sloping roofline.

The interior is extremely well finished, with some impressive technology giving it a suitably modern (and upmarket) vibe. We're yet to try the optional digital door mirrors, although the slick infotainment screen looks smart, without compromising on useability.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 prices start from around £47,000, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model is a little over £50,000. The range currently tops out at £55,000, although we expect there'll be pricier, more powerful versions to follow. We might get a cheaper, entry-level Ioniq 6 with a smaller battery, too.

Our first impression of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is just how relaxing it is to drive. You feel totally isolated from the outside world - it does a superb job of hushing any wind or road noise. The ride quality is impressive, too - particularly for a heavy electric car. It's an exaggeration to say you won't notice bumps in the road, but it certainly causes less discomfort than some EVs.

We've only driven the rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 6 so far. While RWD perhaps conjures up images of old BMWs going sideways on wet roundabouts, the Hyundai feels safe and secure. That's not to say it doesn't feel agile - the steering, while perhaps a little on the light and uncommunicative side, is eager to quickly change the car's direction when required.

Despite its pretty huge dimensions, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an easy car to place on a rural road (or around town), thanks to excellent visibility. We haven't tried one with the digital door mirrors, but the Surround View Monitor (standard on Ultimate and First Edition models) makes light work out of tight parking manoeuvres.

From launch, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is available in two flavours. The entry-level car uses a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels and produces a relatively modest (by EV standards) 228PS. We actually think this'll be more than sufficient for a lot of buyers - electric cars don't need to be alarmingly quick, especially as that usually comes at the expense of efficiency. Still, it'll accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in 7.4 seconds, which isn't exactly pedestrian.

You can also buy the Hyundai Ioniq 6 as an all-wheel-drive model, with an extra electric motor powering the front wheels. This produces a combined 325PS, which is a little more enticing if you're trading in a Tesla - especially as it'll accelerate to 62mph in a fairly swift 5.1 seconds.

For the ultimate in performance, though, you'll want to wait for the hot Hyundai Ioniq 6 N. Although yet to be confirmed, this has been previewed by the Hyundai RN22e concept car, which shares its 585PS powertrain with the rapid Kia EV6 GT. That means it ought to cover 0-62mph in around 3.5 seconds.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes as standard with the brand's next-generation of Smart Sense driver-assistance technology, which adds to the car's general tech-heavy vibe. The Highway Driving Assist 2 feature, for example, maintains a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead when driving on a motorway and helps to centre the vehicle in its lane. It can even overtake slower traffic.

The Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control will adjust the speed for safe driving through corners and junctions, while Intelligent Speed Limit Assist will read signs and notify you when you're breaking the speed limit.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has seven airbags in total and was awarded five stars by Euro NCAP, also earning the organisation's 'best in class' accolade.

With a maximum braked towing capacity of 1500kg, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 should be able to tow a medium-sized caravan. That almost matches the 1600kg towing capacity provided by both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and BMW i4.

Measuring 4855mm long, 1880mm wide (excluding door mirrors) and 1495mm tall, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is quite a large car. Indeed, it's closer to Tesla Model S in size than the Model 3, and a fair bit longer than an Ioniq 5.

The wheelbase (that's the distance between the front and rear wheels) is nearly three metres long, which means it feels huge inside. Adults can sit behind one another with legroom to spare, although taller rear passengers might find their heads a little close to the roof.

While the boot is fairly big (capable of carrying up to 401 litres of luggage), it is restricted by its narrow boot opening. That's because the Ioniq 6 is a traditional saloon, like the Tesla Model 3 - unlike the BMW i4 and new Volkswagen ID.7. Both of these are more of a fastback design, with a hatchback-style boot opening.

As well as the regular boot, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 gets some extra stowage area in the front - ideal for hiding away charging cables.

While it won't take much to outshine a Tesla in terms of interior quality, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 needs to be pretty impressive inside if it's going to tempt buyers away from the BMW i4 or Polestar 2. And it delivers, feeling quite noticeably plusher than the (already impressive) Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Hyundai's made some bold statements with the Ioniq 6's interior. You won't find a Hyundai badge on the steering wheel, for example... instead there are four LED lights which function in a variety of ways, including as a battery indicator.

You'll need to opt for the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate (or the First Edition model) if you're after leather seats, while the First Edition model also comes with some fancy tartan cloth inserts. They're heated in the front, while top-spec trim levels also come with ventilated seats which feel pretty swish.

Just like the Ioniq 5, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes with a pair of 12.3-inch digital displays - one an instrument panel behind the steering wheel; the other a central touchscreen navigation system.

Both displays are clear to read and easy to operate, while there are some useful physical shortcut buttons underneath the main screen. Below these are some touch pads for adjusting the climate control - these aren't as user-friendly as 'proper' buttons on the move, but they look smart and are a better option than hiding the controls away in the infotainment.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, while there's an array of USB ports for charging your devices (including one in the back). All models get a wireless charging pad in the front, too.

On-the-road prices for the Hyundai Ioniq 6 start from around £47,000 for a single-motor 77kWh variant in Premium trim. You can get it with a smaller 53kWh battery elsewhere in the world, so it is possible that we'll see a more affordable entry-level model in the future. That would make it more competitive against the Tesla Model 3 which currently starts from around £43,000 (this week, anyway) - although the Tesla is quite a lot smaller than the Ioniq 6.

If you want the more powerful Ioniq 6, the twin-motor model commands a £3500 premium - meaning you'll pay upwards of £50,500 for one (putting it in line with the BMW i4).

As we touched on above, all Hyundai Ioniq 6 models in the UK currently come with a sizeable 77kWh battery pack. The cheapest way to charge any electric car is usually at home - the cost of this will depend on your electricity tariff but, assuming you're charged around 34p per kWh, you'll pay around £26 to fully charge the Ioniq 6.

From that charge, you can expect to travel up to 338 miles in RWD models, or 322 miles in the dual-motor AWD Ioniq 6. That's according to official WLTP tests - the actual range will be slightly less, especially in winter - although our experience with cars on this platform suggests real-world range should be pretty impressive.

On a longer journey, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 can be charged at a rate of up to 232kW. This'll top up the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 20 minutes - although you'll pay a premium to do so. Just like petrol stations, the most convenient electric car chargers tend to be the most expensive.

Charging aside, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 should be very cheap to run. You'll get free VED (road tax) for now - although that's set to change from 2025. Servicing and maintenance should be very cheap (there's little to go wrong), while Hyundai provides a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for the Ioniq 6. The high-voltage battery's covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

Standard equipment on the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Premium Rear Wheel Drive includes 20-inch alloy wheels, electrically operated and folding door mirrors, flush door handles, privacy glass, front and rear LED lighting and rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light.

Internal features include electronically controlled and heated front seats with separate lumbar support, heated rear seats, 12.3" Touchscreen Satellite Navigation and Media Centre with Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ and Bluelink® connected car service with 3-year subscription.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate Rear Wheel Drive builds on the Premium trim level with the addition of automatic flush fitting door handles, eco-leather seat trim, driver’s seat position memory function, relaxation front seats with ventilation function, sunroof with electric tilt and slide operation, blind spot view monitor, drivers head-up-display, surround view monitor, remote smart parking, parking collision avoidance assist and BOSE premium audio with 7 speakers and additional subwoofer.

The Ioniq 6 Ultimate also features LED steering wheel lights that provide vehicle to driver interactions when carrying out a number of different functions such as voice recognition, reverse gear selection, EV charging status and vehicle welcome and goodbye. Further driver centric functions on the Ultimate include Active Sound Design (e-ASD) a technology that gives IONIQ 6 a unique and defining sound under acceleration. Customers choosing the Ultimate specification can also specify the option of digital side mirrors.

Ioniq 6 Premium and Ultimate models are available in a choice of 11 colours. Byte Blue Pearl is a no cost option, with all other pearl and metallic finishes a £585 option, with matte finishes a £685 option.