If you’re determined to become part of the early adoption movement for electric cars, then Hyundai has a relatively affordable sedan worth looking at. The Hyundai Ioniq 6 starts at $42,450 before any deals or government incentives and offers a base model range of up to 361 miles, which should last the average American about ten days between necessary charging. Right now, it’s the only all-electric non-luxury sedan on the market, which makes it a breakthrough vehicle in a class of one. And it’s undeniably excellent.
Interestingly, Hyundai sent us the base SE version to review over a week, meaning it’s the least expensive version and arrives with rear-wheel-drive and riding on 18-inch wheels. It may be the base model for the Ioniq 6, but it’s far from a barebones trim. Typically, automakers put the higher trims in their press fleets, and putting an entry-level model in is typically a sign of confidence, indicating that it’s the trim level the brand expects to sell the most of.
Exterior: A Decision Was Made
Hyundai’s exterior design is always interesting. It’s like the brand has two schools of in-house design – one that goes for mass-market appeal while pushing the envelope, and one that isn’t afraid of polarizing people. The Ioniq 5 is definitely designed by the first school and is a work of aesthetic brilliance, while the Ioniq 6 is by the same people who brought us the Sonata, which is an unconventional-looking sedan. In the case of the Ioniq 6, we’re talking even more unconventional – it’s got a sloping front end and drooping back, and once you realize it looks like someone stretched a Volkswagen Beetle, you can’t unsee it.
It’s a curious decision for Hyundai to go with creating an electric sedan for the mass market and giving it a love-it or hate-it aesthetic. However, if you’re not a fan, then it’s worth remembering that it’s not always a good idea to judge a book by its cover.
Powertrain: More Than Most Will Need
The SE in rear-wheel-drive configuration is the Ioniq 6 with the longest range, capable of going for 361 miles on a full charge, which leads the class, currrently. What you won’t get from the single motor is crazy horsepower – although 225 hp is enough for those who want to get around efficiently and don’t need to be excited. Buyers can have up to 320 hp in AWD Ioniq 6 models, thanks to an extra motor, but that comes at a sacrifice of range.
What you do get is crazy fast charging – if you can find a working quick charger. After visiting a broken one and then struggling to pay for charging on a working one, we watched the Ioniq 6 add 200 miles in just over 15 minutes from a battery running at around 25% capacity. That means you can get in and out quicker using a 350-kW charger than a Tesla Model 3 using a Supercharger – except, of course, the Tesla driver can be pretty confident that the nearest Supercharger will be working, at least.
In the real world, this is excellent for road trips, but it also means that the average commuter doesn’t have to stress about charging at home every night. The average American drives around 300 miles per week, so range anxiety is eliminated here.
Interior: Locked And Loaded
Inside the SE, you’re looking at cloth seats, but it’s worth noting these are not only underrated for those who live in hot climates, but they come with standard seat heating. You also get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and no other option for an interior color other than black. The driver’s gauge screen and the center infotainment screen both measure 12.3 inches and are seamlessly joined together, as is the fashion right now for higher-end cars, even on the entry-level mode – but the front passenger doesn’t get a power-adjustable seat.
Rear passengers in the entry-level model don’t get much in the way of features, but they do get ample room to relax. It’s surprisingly spacious back there. However, that’s at the cost of just 11.2 cubic feet of trunk capacity; despite there being no spare tire (a ‘Tire Mobility Kit’ is added instead), space is limited.
Where the Hyundai Ioniq 6 truly shines is in terms of tech, with Hyundai’s clear and responsive infotainment system having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, as well as SiriusXM capability. Safety tech isn’t limited, either, and it includes rear-cross-traffic collision avoidance assist and blind spot monitoring. Of course Hyundai doesn’t market this for premium buyers, so if you’re looking for luxury, skip Tesla rivals and look at a Polestar 2 – just be prepared to pay for it.
On The Road: Surprisingly Engaging
We shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that the Ioniq 6 is lovely to drive since it sits on the same platform as the Ioniq 5 crossover, which is a delight. However, Hyundai isn’t famous for driving dynamics with its sedans. Around town, it’s smooth and comfortable, and if you choose it as your brake regeneration level, the one-pedal driving system is dialed in perfectly. It happily glides around with little work needed from the steering wheel, and the suspension isn’t bothered at all by road imperfections.
Head out of town, and you can cruise easily and comfortably, or give it a bit of a push and enjoy the chassis’s balance through corners and the dynamics provided by having the driven wheels at the back. 225 hp isn’t enough to make life too interesting, but there is fun to be had. Overall, there is nothing to fault about the driving experience – it’s truly fit for purpose and the price point.
Conclusion: Why Would You Buy A Tesla Model 3?
In the public consciousness, for some reason, the Tesla Model 3 is considered a premium or luxury car. In reality, though, the Ioniq 6 beats it in build quality, drivetrain technology, interior space, infotainment, and driving dynamics. Assuming you can find a fast charger that works, it will also go head-to-head there. Of course, you can point to Tesla’s “Full Self Driving” capability, but then you may remember it doesn’t actually do what it says it can do. And then there’s Hyundai’s excellent warranties and the fact that there are numerous dealers dotted around the country.
The Ioniq 6 is a better buy than a Model 3 Long Range in our opinion, and you save a few grand by going with the SE. The Model 3 Long Range will cost you $46,990 and it offers 341 miles of range – The Ioniq 6 with 361 miles is priced at $42,450. Opting for the SEL trim in the Ioniq 6 range pushes the price up the $45,250, and in single-motor format still offers 305 miles. That’s 36 miles less than the equivalent Model 3, but we’d still recommend the Ioniq 6 – it’s simply a better car in almost every way.