Hyundai Ioniq 6 review

You’ve probably heard people say car design is dead, with more and more models looking tediously similar, but we’re not convinced that’s true. Take this Hyundai Ioniq 6 for example.

It's based on the same underpinnings as the taller Hyundai Ioniq 5 and shares some of that model's styling cues, including the distinctive pixel-look lights. However, the Ioniq 6 is a four-door coupé with a much sleeker silhouette.

The slippery shape means that, while it's a big car (almost 4.9 metres long), the Ioniq 6 is more about looks and efficiency than practicality. In other words, it’s for those who don’t need to worry too much about carrying people and luggage.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 video review

Its closest rival is the big-selling Tesla Model 3 but similar electric executive car alternatives include the BMW i4, BYD Seal, DS No 8, Polestar 2 and Volkswagen ID 7.

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 as good as those rivals – or, indeed, an even better buy? Read on to find out...

The entry-level Hyundai Ioniq 6 RWD has a single 225bhp electric motor driving its rear wheels, and performance is perfectly acceptable. Its 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds is slightly quicker than an equivalent DS No 8 but can't match the Tesla Model 3 or VW ID 7.

The more potent 321bhp dual-motor option has a second electric motor driving the front wheels and gives the Ioniq 6 four-wheel drive (AWD). With a total of 321bhp, it can do 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds – slightly faster than a DS No 8 AWD Long Range and VW ID 7 GTX, if not as rapid as the Long Range AWD and Performance versions of the Model 3.

We'd stick with the Ioniq 6 RWD version, partly because it's significantly cheaper to buy but also because it can travel further between charges. All versions of the Ioniq 6 have the same 74kWh (usable capacity) battery, but the AWD model’s extra motor and added weight mean it uses electricity less efficiently.

Officially, the AWD version can do 322 miles on a full charge, compared with 338 miles for the RWD model. However, in our testing, the efficiency of the RWD version pointed to a range of around 220 miles in cold weather. Meanwhile, the Model 3 Long Range managed 281 miles in our winter range test.

The Ioniq 6 puts in a convincing performance elsewhere, though. Body lean is well contained when cornering, with plenty of grip available. While the steering is fairly light, the Ioniq 6 is effortless to drive, and flows down a twisty country road really nicely. Okay, it isn't as agile as a Model 3 nor as fun as a BYD Seal but the margins aren't huge.

The Ioniq 6 is also hushed at a cruise. There’s only a hint of wind noise around the windscreen pillars and door mirrors, with less road and suspension noise disturbing the peace than in a Model 3 or Seal.

Ride comfort impresses at motorway speeds, but the relatively firm suspension and big 20in alloys means the Ioniq 6 is less agreeable in town than a BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3. Things never get truly uncomfortable – you just feel more of a jolt over potholes and raised ironwork. Unlike the ID 7 and DS No 8, adaptive suspension isn’t available to help improve matters.

"I like how the Ioniq 6 drives but the efficiency rating we achieved in the winter of 3.0 miles per kWh with the RWD Premium model is disappointing." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

The interior layout in the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be familiar to anyone who’s spent time in an Ioniq 5. That means you get the same 12.3in digital driver's display behind the steering wheel alongside a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen.

The small touch-sensitive buttons for the climate controls can be a little tricky to aim for when driving, but at least you don't have to use the touchscreen to adjust the interior temperature, as you do in a BYD Seal, DS No 8, Polestar 2 or Tesla Model 3.

It’s easy to find a comfortable driving position, thanks to powered adjustment (including lumbar support) for the seat. You might find the steering wheel blocks the top corners of the digital driver's display, but it will depend how tall you are and how high or low you set the seat.

Forward visibility is hampered slightly by the wide windscreen pillars and rearward view is badly compromised by the Ioniq 6's rear styling. Fortunately, every Ioniq 6 has front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera to help out with tight manoeuvres. 

You can opt for digital wing mirrors on Ultimate trim, replacing traditional mirrors with cameras and two small screens showing the rear view. We wouldn't bother – they're expensive and make it more difficult to judge distances and the speed of approaching road users.

The Ioniq 6's 12.3in touchscreen is responsive and the graphics are fairly sharp. Some of the icons are a little small and fiddly to use on the move, but you do get some helpful physical shortcut buttons. Overall, it's a better system than the one in the Polestar 2 but less impressive than the BMW i4 and Tesla Model 3 systems.

The Ioniq 6 fails to stand out for interior quality. The door panels are made from hard plastic, so even though they have a rippled effect to stop them feeling too cheap, most rivals look and feel more upmarket with more soft plastics and leather-like materials in their interiors.

"I think it’s quite cool and convenient that Ultimate models come with four LEDs on the steering wheel that light up when you are charging to act as a battery meter." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Whether you’re sitting in the front or rear seats, you'll find lots of leg room in the Hyundai Ioniq 6. Head room is rather less generous up front and that’s partly because of the relatively high-set seats placing you closer to the roof. Adding a sunroof reduces head room further.

Meanwhile, six-footers will fit in the back but they'll need to slouch to keep their heads off the roof and won't have much space for their feet under the front seats.

The flat floor means a middle-seat passenger won’t have to straddle a transmission tunnel, but having to sit on a raised section of the seat base means they lose head room. Most rivals are more accommodating, including the VW ID 7.

More positively, there’s an abundance of storage space dotted around the interior, including a two-tier centre console up front. The huge rear doors make getting in and out surprisingly easy.

Higher-spec Ultimate trim adds Relaxation front seats, which fully recline so you can lounge in comfort while using a public charger. Even so, the rear seatback splits in a 60/40 configuration rather than the more practical 40/20/40 split you get in some cars, including the BMW i4 and DS No 8.

The Ioniq 6 is a saloon rather than a hatchback so the boot has a relatively narrow opening when compared with the DS No 8 and VW ID 7, but we managed to fit in seven carry-on suitcases. That trails the 10 cases we got into the front and back boots of aTesla Model 3 and eight cases in the ID 7, but matches the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Polestar 2.

There’s some storage under the Ioniq 6's bonnet for the charging cable but that's about all you'll fit under there. The RWD has a slightly larger front boot than the AWD version.

"The Ioniq 6 is not so great for six-footers in the back seats but I like how the large rear doors make access really easy. It’s great for kids if you have child seats in place as well." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is priced above the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 but undercuts the BMW i4, DS No 8 and VW ID 7.

To keep the price respectable, we reckon you're best off going for the single-motor RWD version and entry-level Premium trim. It's the longest-range Ioniq 6 and gets plenty of kit, including heated front and rear seats, dual-zone climate control and wireless phone-charging. You even get an EV heat pump for more efficient warming of the interior in cooler weather.

Ultimate trim adds a head-up display, a sunroof, a Bose sound system upgrade and ventilated front seats, but also thousands to the price. Upgrading to the dual-motor AWD adds a lot to the price and reduces the range.

As with all electric cars, the Ioniq 6 has a very low BIK tax rate so it will cost much less to run as a company car than any petrol or diesel equivalent.

Whichever version you go for, the estimated maximum charging speed of up to 220kW, which is more than a BYD Seal and VW ID 7 can accept, and almost as much as a Model 3. That means a 10-80% charge can take less than 20 minutes in ideal conditions (and assuming you can find a fast enough charger).

Hyundai finished in a strong 10th place out of 31 brands in our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey manufacturer league table, below BMW but above Polestar and Tesla.

For further peace of mind, the Ioniq 6 comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty on most components, beating the four-year, 60,000-mile cover the Model 3 comes with, and the three-year, 60,000-miles you get with the Polestar 2. All three cars have separate eight-year warranties to cover their main drive batteries.

"In terms of appearance there’s not much difference between the Ioniq 6’s two trim levels but I’m a fan of the Ultimate’s lighter grey interior option." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

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