The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is yet another vehicle from the Korean carmaker that is set to leave a lasting impression. Hyundai is aiming to compete with the Tesla Model 3 with its upcoming EV sedan model called the Ioniq 6. This four-door will fit into the company’s Ioniq subbrand made up of electric vehicles and shares components with the taller and boxier Ioniq 5. This means single- and dual-motor configurations will be offered, with two battery-pack options. Hyundai has revealed the exterior and interior design of the new electric car, which borrows plenty of cues from the Hyundai Prophecy concept.
Here’s everything we know about Hyundai’s next-gen electric sedan, one that will compete with the Tesla Model 3 and the Polestar 2 in the United States:
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Hyundai made a splash this year with the retro-inspired Ioniq 5, the automaker’s first vehicle designed to be an electric vehicle from its inception. We’re huge fans of the Ioniq 5 — it currently sits at the top of our rankings of the best luxury electric SUVs. Even though the Ioniq 5 is pretty new, its overall excellence made us wonder what’s next for the burgeoning Ioniq sub-brand.
Thankfully, we won’t have to wait much longer. Hyundai just unveiled its next electric vehicle, aptly named the Hyundai Ioniq 6, and it’s due early next year. The Ioniq 6 is an ultrasleek sedan built on the same Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that underpins the Ioniq 5. It also uses some of the same design elements that give the Ioniq 5 its unique looks — namely the pixelated headlight and taillight clusters — before really going off in its own direction.
There’s really no getting around the fact that the Ioniq 6 looks strange. Its exterior is an amalgamation of styling cues from other cars. The front end looks like a Polestar 2 with a slim grille and first-generation Ford Focus headlights. The profile and pinched rear evoke the Mercedes CLA and CLS, and Infiniti J30, with a Prius-like mid-window spoiler thrown in for good measure.
It’s not terribly cohesive, but we suppose some sacrifices had to be made to achieve the Ioniq 6’s ultra-low 0.21 drag coefficient. For reference, that would make the Ioniq 6 only slightly bulkier than the world’s most aerodynamic production car, the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Specifications
| Power (RWD/AWD) | 160 kW (214 hp)/230 kW (308 hp) |
| Torque (RWD/AWD) | 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.)/605 Nm (446 lb.-ft.) |
| Battery | 53.0 kWh/77.4 kWh |
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds |
| Range | 524 km (326 miles) |
| Fast charging (10-80%) | 18 minutes |
| Length | 4855 mm |
| Width | 1880 mm |
| Height | 1495 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2950 mm |
| Tyres | 255/55 R18 |
| Drag Coefficient | 0.21 Cd |
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Dimensions
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 measures 4,855 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,495 mm in height. The coupe-style electric sedan has a long wheelbase of 2,950 mm. Thanks to the E-GMP’s space efficiency, Hyundai’s own Sonata (wheelbase: 111.8 in.) is no match to the Ioniq 6 in terms of interior space.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Performance
Hyundai will offer the Ioniq 6 worldwide in multiple power-electric configurations. Gleaning from the official press releases and blogs published for the different markets, we have learned that there will be at least three variants: standard-range RWD, long-range RWD, and long-range AWD.
The Ioniq 6 standard-range RWD has a single motor producing 168 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque and a 53.0 kWh battery pack. Hyundai Ioniq 6 long-range AWD has the same motor but a bigger, 77.4 kWh battery pack that gives it a higher range. The Ioniq 6 long-range AWD uses two motors, one at the front and one at the rear, which produce 239 kW of power and 605 Nm of torque. It takes just 5.1 seconds for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Range
According to South Korea’s Ministry of Industry’s certification figures, it can travel 524 km (326 miles) on a full charge. Hyundai is expecting a range of 610 km (379 miles) from this configuration as per Europe’s WLTP.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Charging
Based on the E-GMP, the Ioniq 6 features a 400V/800V multi high-speed charging system, which allows charging with a 400V fast-charger as well as an 800-volt ultra-fast charger. With an 800-volt ultra-fast charger, it takes just 18 minutes to charge the battery pack from 10 to 80% SoC.
The Ioniq 6 is the Hyundai electric car that supports the Plug and Charge (PnC) function. V2L is available, and it allows customers to power electronics and appliances using the energy stored in the battery pack at up to 3.5 kW.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Interior
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a cocoon-shaped interior with a flat floor, a sleek dashboard featuring up to four screens, a compact two-spoke steering wheel with the 4-dot Interactive Pixel Lights, and a bridge-type center console. The dual display setup for the (12-inch) digital cluster and (12-inch) infotainment display is different from the Ioniq 5, featuring slimmer bezels and a more appealing frame.
The doors almost look like they’re of a concept car, as they have no buttons, providing more storage. Amping up the fanciness is a Dual Color Ambient Lighting system that allows users to choose from a range of 64 colors and six dual-color themes.
To give the driver a more engaging driving experience, there’s a feature called ‘Electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD).’ A driving sound reminiscent of a spacecraft passing through a wormhole plays through speakers as per the speed, the torque state of the motor, and the driver’s willingness to accelerate. The driver can accelerate its volume in three steps. Another Hyundai-first feature in the Ioniq 6 is ‘Speed Sync Lighting,’ which alters the brightness of the interior lightning in the front seats according to the speed. These contribute in lending the Ioniq 6 a unique character.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Seat
Compared to a similar-sized ICE sedan, the Ioniq 6 offers more interior space, because there’s no transmission tunnel and the mechanical components are fewer. The E-GMP platform (detailed in another section) optimizes space brilliantly as it provides short overhangs and a large wheelbase, opening up acres of room in the interior.
The rear seats offer generous amounts of space. The backrest is sharply reclined, and there’s plenty of legroom as well. The window area is large, which could amplify the sense of space, and there’s also the rear quarter glass which lets more light inside the cabin. There’s no transmission tunnel, so the floor is flat. However, we have to wait for the press drives to see if rear passengers would sit with their knees high up or whether there would be amply under-thigh support—remember that the battery is positioned between the axles, which raises the floor height.
What’s more, there are grilled pockets behind the backrests to store small items, vertical air vents at the rear, and two USB charging ports. There’s also an armrest in the center, and it only protrudes outwards by a few millimeters, so the Ioniq 6 should seat three abreast at the rear.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 OTA updates
The Ioniq 6 supports OTA (over-the-air) software updates. It will be possible to improve the car’s controllers for electric devices, battery, autonomous driving, and more as well as update maps and media software conveniently from home.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Interior colors
There are four interior color schemes for the Hyundai Ioniq 6:
- Dark gray with light gray
- Dark olive green with light gray
- Black with pale brown
- Black
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Exterior
Hyundai Ioniq 6 design
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a mid-size sedan with distinct proportions (like the Sonata). Its silhouette harks back to the design of the Prophecy concept, featuring a sloping roofline that swoops down gently towards the rear for a coupe-like effect. Hyundai proudly calls the Ioniq 6 an “Electrified Streamliner,” a car with clean, simple lines and a highly aerodynamic design. Thanks to the coupe-style roofline, a low nose, optionally available digital ORVMs, active air flaps (front), and wheel gap reducers, and various other aero measures, the car has an ultra-low drag coefficient – 0.21 Cd.
The Ioniq 6 has an emotional-looking and minimalist front-end with a simplistic bumper and curvy headlamps. In contrast, the rear-end is visibly bold and aggressive with an elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, a striking full-width tail lamp, and sports car-like prominent bumper with separation traps on both sides. Overall, the showroom-bound car is pretty close to the Prophecy concept, and full credit to Hyundai’s design team led by Sangyup Lee. This is also the first Hyundai to feature a newly designed ‘H’ badge at the front and rear.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Digital Lights
The Ioniq 6 features Parametric Pixel lights in its headlamps, rear combination lamps, front lower sensors, and the high-mounted stop lamp integrated into the rear wing.
The rear wing of the Ioniq 6 improves its aerodynamic efficiency, resulting in more range and better road manners. Compared to that of the Prophecy concept, it carries a slightly different and simpler design for the integrated third brake light, as seen in the picture below. Hyundai has used two-part tail lamps on the Ioniq 6. The horizontal upper rear light is the tail light and the vertical lower rear lights are a combination of the fog lights (red part) and reverse lights (transparent part).
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Body Colors
It offers 12 paint options for the Ioniq 6 globally:
- Gravity Gold Matte
- Abyss Black Pearl
- Serenity White Pearl
- Curated Silver Metallic
- Nocturne Gray Metallic
- Nocturne Gray Matte
- Transmission Blue Pearl
- Biophilic Blue Pearl
- Ultimate Red Metallic
- Digital Green Pearl
- Digital Green Matte
- Byte Blue
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Safety Features
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes with a wide range of Hyundai SmartSense ADAS features. Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2), Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Junction Crossing, Lane-Changing Oncoming, Lane-Changing Side, and Evasive Steering Assist (FCA-JC, FCA-LO, and FCA w/ ESA, and FCA-LS), and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) are some of the key features here.
The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s first model to feature an Intelligent Front-lighting System (IFS). High-beams, while necessary in extremely low visibility, can be dangerous for oncoming vehicles. IFS is Hyundai’s terminology for an anti-glare function that can precisely control the direction and the intensity of the high-beam. It can selectively turn off the LEDs that would create dazzle for the driver of an oncoming vehicle.
IFS is basically a further evolution of High Beam Assist (HBA). HBA completely shuts off the high-beam lights, while IFS can partially turn them off, which is comparatively safer. Do note that Hyundai hasn’t announced this feature in Europe or the U.S. yet.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 Price & Release date
U.S.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 will go on sale in the U.S. in early 2023. In addition to confirming an early 2023 launch, the Ioniq 6 page on the Hyundai USA website says that the availability will be limited initially, as was the case during the Ioniq 5 launch in late 2021. Prospective customers can sign up for updates by filling out a form.
There’s little doubt that the Ioniq 6’s base price would fall between USD 45,000 and 50,000. The closest competitor would be the Tesla Model 3, the prices of which start at USD 46,990. Hyundai may also offer the Ioniq 6 on a limited period subscription basis to gauge customers’ sentiment.
South Korea
In South Korea, Hyundai plans to start accepting pre-orders for the Ioniq 6 later in July 2022,
with prices starting at KRW 55 million (approx. USD 41,000).
Hyundai to focus on zero-emissions vehicles
Every year Hyundai reinforces its focus on EVs. With sales increasing steadily, there seems to be a parallel production ramp-up. By 2035, Hyundai wants to sell only zero-emission vehicles in Europe (BEVs and FCEVs), gradually phasing out ICE and hybrid vehicles worldwide. CEO Jaehoon Chang told Automotive News that HMC (Hyundai and Genesis) expects to deliver 220,000 EVs in 2022.
At the CEO Investor Day 2022 on March 2, 2022,
Chang said that Hyundai aims to sell 1.87 million EVs and increase its market share in EVs globally by 2030. The E-GMP, however, will not be the only bespoke EV platform. A second EV platform (IMA) will be introduced in the future,
to cover all passenger vehicle segments, in addition to Purpose Built Vehicles (commercial).
What is the expected Ioniq 6 price & competitor list?
The Ioniq 6’s prices in the U.S. should start in the USD 45,000-50,000 range. The Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 & VW Aero B would be its rivals.
What is the expected Hyundai Ioniq 6 range?
The electric sedan is expected with a range of 379 miles (WLTP) with 80 percent charging achievable in 18 minutes.
What is the Ioniq 6 release date in the U.S.?
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 will reach the U.S. in early 2023.
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