I long ago resigned myself to the fact that the electrification of the automotive market was coming, whether I welcomed it or not. Begrudgingly I’ve accepted that someday there will be a charger wired into every house and the air all over the world will be free of smog.
Doesn’t mean I have to like it.
In the past few years, I’ve had several weeks with all-electric vehicles, and yes, I’ve had a charger installed in my garage.
But still.
All the electric vehicles I’ve had a chance to test have been SUVs or crossovers. That makes sense of course, as the trend in the automotive world in the last several decades has been moving away from sedans and coupes.
The lone outlier in my test fleet of electrics was a BMW i4 several years ago. It was a nice break from the bulky full electrics. However, that i4 made me realize that if I was going to plug all in I’d want a sedan. And in the electric car market that meant I was left with few choices. That’s because if you want a fully electric sedan, you are very limited, and the sedan niche is dominated by the i4 and the Tesla Model 3.
Then Hyundai sent me an Ioniq 6 for a recent week and well ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an electrifying world, where sedans aren’t just relics of the past but harbingers of the future. In a world overrun by hulking SUVs and crossover behemoths, the Ioniq 6 strides in with the elegance of a catwalk model in a room full of lumberjacks.
The Ioniq 6 shares a platform with the Ioniq 5 which is the SUV version. The 6 comes with four trim levels: SE Standard Range, SE, SEL and Limited. The SE Standard Range is the value level with a 53-kWh battery pack and a single motor (149 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) driving the rear wheels. The EPA estimates its range at 240 miles. The rest of the lineup has a 77.4-kWh battery pack and more powerful motors.
I had the Limited AWD for my week and while it’s not your usual headliner in the electric car arena, boy, does it make an entrance.
First impressions count, and wow, does the Ioniq 6 make a statement. I mistook it for a concept car that took a wrong turn onto production avenue. It’s sleek, it’s sexy, looks as aerodynamic as a bullet train and best of all its distinctly sedan. You won’t find any exaggerated wheel arches or unnecessary roof racks here. Instead, you’re greeted by clean lines that slice through the air with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. And in a world where aerodynamics can make or break efficiency, the Ioniq 6 is a masterclass.
But make no mistake, this isn’t just about looks; it’s about rewriting the rulebook on electric mobility.
Slide into the cockpit, and you’re met with an interior that blends sophistication with technological wizardry. The materials are premium, the ergonomics spot on, and the infotainment system is as intuitive as it is feature packed. But the real pièce de résistance? The sheer amount of space. This isn’t some cramped electric econobox; it’s a bona fide sedan that can comfortably seat four adults without a hint of claustrophobia.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: range anxiety. It’s the boogeyman that’s kept many an ICE gearhead (like me) up at night, but fear not for the Ioniq 6 puts those fears to rest. With its advanced battery technology and efficient drivetrain, you’re looking at a range that’ll make even the most ardent Tesla fanboys green with envy. Long gone are the days of nervously eyeing the nearest charging station; with the Ioniq 6, the road truly is your oyster.
https://www.caraganza.com/reviews/caraganza-first-drive-review-2022-hyundai-ioniq-5-raise-the-t/
But let’s not beat around the bush; the real question on everyone’s lips is, can it hold a candle to the big boys? Can a Hyundai really compete with the likes of BMW and Tesla? In a word: yes. The Ioniq 6 may not have the badge pedigree of its rivals, but what it lacks in heritage, it more than makes up for in performance.
With all-wheel drive and enough torque to make your head spin, this sedan doesn’t just go; it launches. The handling is sharp, the acceleration is instantaneous.
Bottom line: In a world where conformity reigns supreme, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a breath of fresh air. It’s a sedan that dares to be different, a statement of intent from a manufacturer unwilling to play by the rules.
Hyundai, bless their innovative souls, decided to go against the grain. The Ioniq 6 isn’t just a sedan; it’s a defiant middle finger to the status quo.
The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 LTD AWD
MSRP: $56,100
MSRP (as tested): $57,045
Engine: Electric 74 kW + 165 kW (320 hp), 605 Nm (446 lb.-ft.)
Estimated range: 316 miles
Range (as tested 6.5-hour charge non 240V): 277 miles
Curb Weight 4,616 lbs.
Exterior Dimensions
Length:191.1 in.
Overall width without mirrors: 74.0 in.
Height: 58.9 in.
Wheelbase: 116.1 in.
Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 11.2 cu.ft.
Maximum cargo capacity:11.2 cu.ft.
Turning circle: 38.8 ft.
Ground clearance: 5.6 in.
Interior Dimensions
Front head room:36.8 in.
Front leg room: 42.3 in.
Front shoulder room: 58.0 in.
Front hip room: 55.2 in.
Rear Seat Dimensions
Rear head room: 38.3 in.
Rear leg room: 39.2 in.
Rear shoulder room: 57.3 in.
Rear hip room: 51.1 in.
Warranty
Basic: 5 yr./ 60,000 mi.
Drivetrain: 10 yr./ 100,000 mi.
EV Battery: 10 yr./ 100,000 mi.
Rust: 7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside assistance:5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Free maintenance: 3 yr./ 36,000 mi.
Greg has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.