Hyundai Ioniq 6 test drive: ultra-modern electric New Retro Wave
Now there is a New Retro Wave music genre – these are modern compositions but in the style of electronic music of the 1980s. Here is the sedan Hyundai Ioniq 6 – it is the same, but among electric cars. It took the ideas of the industrial revolution of the 1920s and 1930s, and it took the stylistics of sci-fi films and computer games of the 1970s and 1980s, and then it multiplied all this by the super modern technologies of the 2020s. And what is the end result?
Design: impressive, original, synthetic
The words “impressive” and “original” refer to the appearance of the electric car. The general body profile of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is reminiscent of German premium cars, the LED headlights look like almonds, and the solid lamp effectively flashes with “pixels” when braking. And the silver matte paint deserves special attention: very original. The design is such that you want to consider and appreciate it slowly and in detail.
The electric car Hyundai Ioniq 6 turned out to be quite big: the length exceeds 4.85 meters, the width is 1.88 meters, and the height almost reached 1.5 meters. The wheelbase is 2.95 meters. However, all these meters are full of inspiration: the arch of the window sill, the shape of individual parts, contrasting glossy inserts, and a spectacular pair of spoilers. It feels that the creators were not in a hurry, but worked on every detail of this electric sedan thoroughly.
Was the word “synthetic” said about the interior? When you look at the white-gray interior, where plastics dominate, it seems so. But look closely: here are the corrugated door maps that resemble seashells. Here is nice genuine leather on the seats, treated with special oil. And here are the panels made from recycled materials.
Even if you move away from the materials, there are a lot of interesting features inside: a two-story center console with located window control buttons, a drawer on the passenger side, translucent pockets with soft lighting, side buttons for the ability to move the front seat or fold it to a semi-reclining position. Lots of interesting features – and even more space. Even with the roof profile, there is quite enough headroom in the back for a person of average height and quite enough room for legs, even for a person of more than average height. And in general, there’s a lot of room in the front part. Only the luggage compartment raises could be bigger: it has a volume of 401 liters and a small opening for loading.
Futuro-realistic design continues in the interior of the electric car Hyundai Ioniq 6, which surprises not only with its design but also with its decoration – a combination of recycled materials and natural leather. The four pixels on the steering wheel are the letter “H” (the company logo) written in Morse code; at the same time, these are indicators of charging, changing driving modes, and turning on reverse gear. There is plenty of space, but the rear trunk is a bit small. As for the additional trunk, 4WD electric cars have only a small niche in the front; but in an electric car with a 2WD drive there will already be +45 liters.
Equipment: special E-GMP platform
One of the key features of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car is the E-GMP platform on which it is built. This platform provides the possibility of installing one electric motor at the back (rear-wheel drive) or two electric motors (all-wheel drive), the possibility of placing batteries of different sizes within the wheelbase (for the Hyundai Ioniq 6 model, batteries with a capacity of 53 kWh or 77.4 kWh are offered), independent front McPherson suspension and independent rear 5-link suspension. But the main feature of the E-GMP platform is the electrical architecture designed to work with a voltage of up to 800 volts: among other things, this makes it possible to significantly increase the available power when charging the battery. So, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car can accept direct current (DC) with a power of up to 350 kW, which is currently one of the world’s record indicators – this makes it possible to charge the battery from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. Of course, an electric car can also be charged with alternating current (AC): then you can count on a power of up to 11 kW – that is, it will take about 5.5-7 hours to fully charge the battery, depending on its capacity. Of course, the possibility of charging from DC terminals with a voltage of 400 volts, thermal regulation of the battery, “heat pump” and everything else that we are used to seeing in modern electric cars are provided.
In addition, it is worth noting the V2L technology, when an electric car can not only receive electric current but also give it to external users. This feature is also found in some other electric cars. However, the peculiarity of Hyundai electric cars on the E-GMP platform is that even ordinary household sockets are supported.
What else is worth noting in the design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 model is excellent aerodynamics (Cd=0.21), provided by literally everything: the general body profile, “closed” wheel rims, hidden door handles, a sloping rear part with a double spoiler. And we can also mention the ultra-modern equipment of the model, where “pixel” adaptive headlights and rear-view mirror cameras with additional displays have found their place on the edges of the front panel of the cabin. However, if until now all the technical features of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 model caused respect and a pleasant impression, then the mirror cameras were remembered negatively: the image is high-quality, but the viewing angle cannot be changed by turning or tilting the head – the cameras always show one perspective.
The E-GMP platform makes it possible to flexibly combine different battery sizes and the number of electric motors (and, accordingly, the drive type). Combinations of a large battery and one rear electric motor provide the largest margin of mileage – a maximum of 614 km according to the rules of the WLTP cycle. The test electric car was presented in the maximum configuration: it has a large battery, but already two electric motors and four-wheel drive – in this case, the promised range is 583 km also according to the rules of the WLTP cycle. However, this version is also distinguished by the highest power index (a total of 239 kW or 326 hp) and torque (a total of 605 Nm) – therefore, the “hundred” is promised in 5.1 seconds, and the maximum speed should reach 185 km/h. And what will the Hyundai Ioniq 6electric car show in reality?
Behind the wheel: soft power and flexible driving
A wonderful combination of comfort and dynamics, at the same time – with easy and clear control! First of all, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car gives an unexpectedly smooth ride: it smooths almost any bad roads and swallows almost any bumps. At the same time, the impression of suspension comfort is complemented by acoustic comfort. Even by the standards of silent electric cars, the interior of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is very quiet – minimal sounds from the suspension, and minimal aerodynamic noise at high speeds.
And the speeds can really be high: the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car demonstrates impressive acceleration – one continuous, linear movement to the top, which really takes your breath away and does not let go for a blissful five seconds. At the same time, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan is literally “thirsty” for high speeds: it perfectly holds the road at triple-digit indicators, and maintains sufficient acceleration for overtaking. The main thing is that there should be enough battery charge at such a pace.
Do you want to drive more economically? Then choose the “ECO” mode, in which usually only the rear electric motor works. In this case, acceleration to a hundred km in takes no longer 5-5.1 seconds, but about 7.5-8 seconds, but even this is enough in normal city driving conditions. By the way, there is no difference between “normal” and “sport” modes in terms of dynamics. But from the point of view of impressions, there is a difference: in sport mode, every press on the accelerator pedal is marked by a sharp acceleration that tries to put your head on the headrest. However, none of the modes is able to remove body rolls: they are small (thanks to the classic sedan body), but they are still there. By the way, if we talk about turns, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car turns quite well – in one movement, without skidding, under clear steering control. By the way, a fairly light steering wheel: after all, the main thing here is comfort, not sporty heaviness – haven’t we forgotten?
However, the button on the steering wheel hides many characters of Hyundai Ioniq 6: sporty-sharp, normal-dynamic, and eco-relaxing. It is interesting that in each version the design of the instrument panel and the indicators of the power reserve change. You can also flexibly control recuperation: adjust the desired level with the petals under the steering wheel, and choose AUTO mode or one-pedal control. The electric car confirms the declared speed indicators without question but regarding the autonomy of the mileage… My average level of energy consumption in the city was about 15 kWh per 100 km (the minimum was 13, and the maximum was more than 20) – if we remember the capacity of the battery, then we get a range of about 500 km on one full charge. An electric car consumes about 18 kWh for 100 km.
Cost: what is the price of Hyundai Ioniq 6 depending on the configuration
Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car in Ukraine is offered with two batteries, rear or all-wheel drive, in two configurations – in total we have combinations of three versions; plus options.
The range is opened by Hyundai Ioniq 6 Elegance 53 2WD priced from UAH 1,998,600 or $53,000. In this case, we have a battery capacity of 53 kWh, one electric motor (power 111 kW or 151 hp, torque 350 Nm), and a rear drive. The Elegance package offers the following: frontal and side airbags, safety curtains, a central airbag, lane keeping control, collision avoidance assistants in various conditions, mirror “blind spots” control, separate 2-zone “climate”, adaptive cruise -control, electric actuators for the seat and trunk lid adjustments, heated front and rear seats, front seat ventilation, heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, rearview camera, multimedia system with a 12.3-inch display, support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch display, Bi-LED LED headlights with intelligent control, combined “leather + fabric” interior trim, 18-inch alloy wheels, etc.
At the next level is the electric car Hyundai Ioniq 6 Elegance 77.4 2WD priced from UAH 2,175,700 or $58,000. The complete set and list of equipment are identical, but the technical part is different: the maximum possible battery is installed (77.4 kWh), and the only rear electric motor became more powerful (168 kW or 229 hp and 350 Nm).
The top of the line is the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Тор 77.4 4WD priced from UAH 2,333,100 or $62,000. We have a large battery, but already two electric motors (a total of 239 kW or 326 hp and 605 Nm), as well as four-wheel drive. In addition, we have an expanded package, which additionally includes: a video monitoring system for the “blind spots” of the mirrors, an all-round camera, a projection on the windshield, seat upholstery with eco-leather, tinting of the side and rear windows, etc.
Adaptive LED headlights, a pair of 12.3-inch displays, split 2-zone “climate”, ventilation and heated seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive “cruise” and a bunch of driver assistance systems – it’s always there, in any configuration of an electric car. The maximum version of Tor provides a fully leather interior, an all-round view, and projection on the windshield. A panoramic glass roof and camera mirrors are package options.
And at the end, a few words about competitors. Of course, the first rivals should be the electric cars Tesla Model S and Tesla Model 3. However, the first is more expensive, although it is larger in size and offers more power. But the “three” is the opposite: it costs the same or cheaper – but it is smaller in size and interior and more rigid on the move. Probably, one of the most dangerous rivals can be called the BMW i4 in the initial versions: a well-known brand, with similar dimensions and format, there is a network of dealers and a warranty. In addition, a potential rival could be the Volkswagen ID.7 electric car – a similar concept, albeit with a less impressive design.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 test drive results
In general, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car is one of the best examples of the direction in which the electric car world is moving. And it’s not just about high power, good dynamics, comfortable suspension, a wide list of equipment, acceptable range, and fast charging capabilities… Although, of course, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car still has all of it. But you should look more broadly. The fact is that the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a wonderful combination of the iconic futuristic styling of the past with the technologies of the coming future. This is what someone dreamed of as a child – today it is already becoming a reality in the form of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car.