Road Test: Hyundai Ioniq 6
2023 thus far has brought big changes for Hyundai with a new name (well, the pronunciation, anyway) and a new model. John Challen finds out why things are on the up.
We’re big fans of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 here at Fleet World HQ – along with a lot of drivers in the UK and beyond. So, when the Korean manufacturer (no longer “Hy-un-dai” but “Hyun-day” in the UK now), revealed the larger ‘6’, there was plenty of anticipation and expectation surrounding the next step on the Ioniq production line of exciting and striking pure EVs.
Like the BMW iX1 Fleet World tested recently, the Ioniq 6 driven here wasn’t strictly a production vehicle, but it’s a close as possible to the final signed-off car. That means that we could get a good feel for the quality (it’s very high), technology (there’s lots of it) and comfort (drivers won’t be disappointed) of the new car.
Step inside the ‘streamliner’ – as Hyundai is touting the ‘6’ as – and the overwhelming feel of a grown-up Ioniq 5. Which, of course, is no bad thing because – as mentioned above – it’s a very fine car. The Ioniq 6 takes creature comforts, space and luxury to a new level. The interior of the car has been cleverly designed to maximise space – in particular rear legroom, but up front there’s also plenty of room. Elsewhere, it uses practical features and sustainable materials to, according to the company ‘facilitate a mindful, eco-friendly mobility experience’. While those types of materials might appear sub-standard in other vehicles, in the Ioniq 6, there is no distinct lack of quality compared with what has gone before.
The new Hyundai has – like many others – achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating and includes a long, long list of ADAS features as standard (as well as seven airbags). The range of safety tech includes: blind spot assist; speed limiter; lane keep assist; collision avoidance (when moving and when parking) and an individual tyre pressure monitoring system. In addition, the ‘6’ uses matrix beam lighting technology with LED headlights, which automatically adjusts the light beam for the maximum field of vision.
Like the popular Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 is built on Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which enables a choice of powertrain setup. Drivers can either select the rear-wheel drive options – with 225hp and 350Nm – or an AWD layout with 321hp and 605Nm. The former provides a zero to 62mph time of 7.4 seconds, the latter recording the same sprint in 5.1 seconds. Both models have a limited top speed of 115mph. The sleek body style of the car means a range well in excess of 300 miles (338 is the claimed maximum) is possible, which should give peace of mind for a lot of drivers. Economy-wise, the Ioniq 6 will return a claimed 3.9 miles per kWh.
Both variants of the ‘6’ also feature the same battery technology: a 77.4kWh affair, which works with the car’s 800V charging system to offer 350kW ultra-fast charging capabilities. That means with the right equipment, the Ioniq 6 can be replenished from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. There’s also a standard battery heating system onboard that optimises charging times in all conditions.
We tested the Ioniq 6 in Ultimate RWD form and as well as looking like an Ioniq 5 inside, it also drives – unsurprisingly, maybe – quite like the ‘5’.
As in pretty much all EVs, planting your foot on the accelerator provides instant rapid acceleration – although it’s slightly more measured in this streamliner. Rest assured, there’s plenty of power available if you want or need it, but this is very much a cruiser, compared with the sportier smaller Ioniq model. Such is the comfort, luxury and serenity provided by some impressive sound insulation, we didn’t really feel the need to aim for higher speeds – it’s that kind of car; almost GT-like in its ability to transport people in luxury without getting fatigued or causing discomfort.
Verdict
For a big car, it feels surprisingly agile and the steering is nicely weighted without being pin-sharp, which, again, isn’t really a priority in an application such as this. The ride quality is arguably a bit on the firm side for UK roads, but that shouldn’t be enough to turn off potential suitors for a car that is a valuable addition to the Hyundai vehicle line-up.
In Brief
What is it? Streamliner (fancy saloon)
How much? From £46,745
How far? 338 miles (RWD); 322 miles (AWD)
How long to charge? 10-80% in 18 mins (350kW); 83 mins (50kW)
Key fleet model: Ultimate RWD
Pros: Interior space; standard technology
Cons: Appearance might divide drivers; ride quality
7-word summary: An impressive addition to the Ioniq brand.
Also consider: BMW i4; Polestar 2; Tesla Model 3
John Challen
John previously edited International Fleet World magazine, and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having been in automotive journalism for more than 20 years. Over those two decades, he has researched and written about a vast range of automotive topics, including fleet, EVs, engineering, design, retail and the aftermarket.
