Hyundai

IONIQ 6

The beautifully styled IONIQ 6 is a fully electrified, premium-styled, four-door saloon car with an impressive driving range between charges. Available in two trim levels, it is packed with tech and delivers excellent ride and handling ability.

The good

Design, performance, range and price

The bad

Looks could prove divisive

Tech Specs

Price from

£47,040

Combined Fuel up to

Driving range up to 322 miles

0-62 from

5.1 seconds

max speed up to

115mph

co2 from

0g/km

Test Drive

Hyundai IONIQ 6 – First Drive (2023)

It’s quite extraordinary where designers take their inspiration from before the first sketches to create a new model even begin.

To demonstrate that point, Hyundai claims jelly beans, Peregrine Falcons and Spitfires were just a few of the outlines, silhouettes and dynamic profiles that helped the all-new IONIQ 6 take shape. And one glance in its direction confirms this is anything but ordinary.

Although it is built on the same Electric Global Modular Platform as the IONIQ 5 which features SUV bodystyling, the IONIQ 6 is a saloon car that boasts an exceptionally-low drag coefficient of just 0.21.

This has been achieved by examining every aspect of aerodynamics and streamlining to achieve a design that almost glides through the air, which in turn improves performance, handling and efficiency.

Buyers can select from trim levels called Premium and Ultimate, both of which are available with the choice of rear or all-wheel drive. All versions feature a long-range 77.4kWh battery with RWD models offering 228PS with 350Nm, while AWD cars boast 325PS of power along with 605Nm of torque.

Prices start from £47,040 for IONIQ 6 Premium RWD and increase to £54,040 for Ultimate grade with AWD.

Hyundai has become associated with using pixels in its designs and the IONIQ 6 is no exception. In fact there are in excess of 700 pixels incorporated into the car. If you’re wondering why pixels, well that’s easily explained. The pixel is a symbol in the Korean alphabet so it is a tribute to the culture of the country.

Design cues include signature parametric pixel Matrix LED headlights, parametric pixel rear lamps and the steering wheel features four perfectly formed pixels in place of the Hyundai badge. These four pixels translate into the letter ‘H’ in Morse code. Attention to detail at its very finest.

In addition, eye-catching features on this four-door saloon include flush door handles, privacy glass, a rear spoiler, a sunroof (dependant upon trim) and stunning 20-inch alloy wheels.

Move inside and you will be struck by the ‘wow’ factor. The interior is minimalist, clutter-free but generously equipped with a wealth of sustainable materials incorporated into a premium-styled cabin. For example, there is recycled PET fabric, eco-processed leather, bio paint derived from vegetable oils and recycled fishing net. I have to say it looks a lot better than it sounds!

The main focal point within the car is a stylish 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system and media centre with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Additional creature comforts include powered seats that can be heated, a wireless charging pad as standard, along with a BOSE sound system and head-up display on the higher-spec Ultimate model.

Everything is ideally positioned for ease of use on the move and, although lots of the safety systems beep quite a lot, the sound alerts can be toned down.

And one thing is guaranteed for certain – whichever model of the IONIQ 6 you drive, you will not be disappointed. The performance is sharp, the handling confident and the power is instant with rapid acceleration out the starting blocks.

The 0-62mph sprint time is just 5.1 seconds and it has a maximum speed of 115mph with a driving range between charges of 338 miles (RWD) or 322 miles (AWD).

We tested the IONIQ 6 in Premium grade with all-wheel drive which was a true blessing as the heavens opened and treated us to a constant stream of torrential downpours. Such were the driving condition, combined with pothole-ridden roads that two cars failed to make it back to base due punctures. So, as I say, pretty poor driving conditions.

However, thanks to the added grip, our car was confident when pushed hard into sweeping bends with no sign of body movement. The acceleration is constant and very quick. It has a sense of urgency about it without being spikey with drive modes called Eco, Normal and Sport to sharpen up or calm down reactions accordingly. The AWD cars also gain a Snow setting to help with more adverse driving conditions.

It’s a car that feels like it is cruising on motorways, effortlessly eating up the miles while the excellent insulation set-up and suspension system does a valiant job of protecting occupants from noise intrusion while smoothing out uneven surfaces along the way.

At almost five metres in length, the IONIQ 6 is a long car, but still felt quite agile in busier town centres with perfectly weighted steering. There are paddles to alter the levels of regenerative braking or this can be left to the car to carry out automatically. And the array of parking sensors, cameras and park assist systems will help make squeezing into tight spaces that much simpler too.

With a vast cabin area, there is bundles of room in the back of the IONIQ 6 for three adults to sit comfortably with generous amounts of leg, elbow and head room.

And luggage restrictions needn’t apply either as the boot can swallow 401 litres of kit, increasing further with the rear seats folded forward. In addition, beneath the bonnet is an extra storage compartment capable of holding 45 litres of goodies, reduced to 12 litres on AWD models.

With family holidays on the agenda, the vehicle can tow a trailer or caravan weighing up to 1.5 tonnes and it boasts Vehicle to Load capability too meaning the car’s battery can be used to power up other devices such as inflatable airbed, outdoor lighting or a TV monitor.

Charging the IONIQ 6’s long-range 77.4kWh battery from 0-100 per cent takes 11 hours, 45 minutes via a 7kW wallbox; seven hours, 20 minutes via a 10.5kW charger or one hour, 13 minutes to 80 per cent via a 50kW fast charger.

And with future development of the charging infrastructure in mind, the battery is compatible with all existing charging systems while being future-proofed. So, as faster charging becomes available, the IONIQ 6 will be ready.

Safety systems and driver assistance aids are also comprehensive with the likes of forward collision avoidance with car, pedestrian and cyclist detection; intelligent speed limit assist, rear cross traffic collision avoidance, rear occupancy alert, lane follow assist, blind spot collision warning and plenty more besides.

All in all, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 seems to take EV driving to a new level with its inspiring design, futuristic interior, impressive driving range, dynamic handling and competitive pricing structure.