I test-drove The New Ioniq 6 (Ioniq 6), a facelifted model of the Ioniq 6, an electric vehicle that Hyundai Motor released for the first time in three years. The Ioniq 6 extends its driving range and minimizes a motion sickness–inducing ride. It also improves the battery and aerodynamic performance (the degree to which a car experiences air resistance) to boost driving efficiency. A range of advanced driver-assistance features is also impressive.
The exterior is the sleekest, most streamlined in the Ioniq line. It contrasts with the boldly linear design emphasized on the Ioniq 5, and its size is that of a midsize sedan like the Sonata or K5. Overall length is 4,925 mm, width 1,880 mm, and height 1,495 mm.
The wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels), which determines interior space, is 2,950 mm, longer than the Grandeur's 2,895 mm. The first row feels ordinary in spaciousness, but the second-row rear seats are roomy. Even adults have ample legroom.
The overall driving feel is comfortable and stable. The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai's first electric vehicle to feature Smooth mode. Designed to ease the motion sickness–inducing ride that high EV output can cause, Smooth mode makes acceleration and deceleration noticeably gentler when activated.
To turn on Smooth mode from the central display, go to Vehicle > Drive mode > Motor power settings. You can also choose Normal, Sport, and Eco as drive mode options.
The Ioniq 6 comes with various features, including a smart regenerative system, Active Sound Design, and pedal misapplication safety assist. Active Sound Design lets you adjust the intensity of the EV's characteristic whirring in three levels (low, medium, high) or turn it off entirely. It wasn't very noticeable while driving, but the difference in sound intensity is pronounced when stopped.
The pedal misapplication safety assist feature looks likely to be useful. Because an EV's accelerator response is more immediate than an internal combustion car's, pressing the accelerator instead of the brake can easily lead to a serious crash. This feature uses sensors on the vehicle to detect obstacles ahead and applies the brakes if the driver stomps on the accelerator hard within a short time.
With a higher-capacity battery onboard, the driving range has increased. The Ioniq 6 Long Range model now goes 562 km on a single charge, up 38 km from before, while the Standard model rises 70 km to 437 km. With 350 kW ultra-fast charging, the time to charge the battery from 10% to 80% remains about 18 minutes.
Official combined efficiency is 6.0 km/kWh for the Long Range model (city 6.4, highway 5.4 km/kWh) and 6.3 km/kWh for the Standard model (city 6.8, highway 5.7 km/kWh). Real-world efficiency came in above the official figures at 6.2–6.5 km/kWh.
After EV tax benefits, Ioniq 6 prices for the Standard model are: ▲ E-Value+ 48.56 million won ▲ Exclusive 50.95 million won ▲ Prestige 55.53 million won. For the Long Range model: ▲ E-Lite 50.64 million won ▲ Exclusive 55.15 million won ▲ Exclusive N Line 57.45 million won ▲ Prestige 59.73 million won ▲ Prestige N Line 61.32 million won.