For the latest Hyundai IONIQ6 pricing and information:
https://www.kbb.com/hyundai/ioniq-6/

It might take you a moment to reckon with the exterior styling of the fully-electric IONIQ 6 sedan, so let’s linger.

This is essentially what you’ll see on American roads when the IONIQ 6 arrives around springtime of 2023. I’m not here to tell you how to feel about its style. But I will say, the IONIQ 6 looks more compelling in person than it does in pictures. And it’s hard to argue with the body’s efficiency enhancing, super slippery, .21 drag coefficient. There’s a reason Hyundai calls this a “streamliner”.

I can say there is a ton of mechanical overlap between the IONIQ 6 and the already introduced IONIQ 5. Like the 5, the 6 is built on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform and offers a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with an 800V architecture allowing for speedy battery recharge times from 10% to 80% in only 18 minutes provided you have access to a hearty enough DC quick charger.

And like its sibling, the IONIQ 6 can be had in rear (77.4 kWh RWD 225hp, 258 lb-ft) or dual-motor all-wheel drive renditions (77.4 kWh AWD 320hp, 446 lb-ft). And just to cover my butt, those on-screen power numbers are based on converted kW and Nm numbers from a Korean press release, cross referenced with IONIQ 5 numbers. Final American figures probably won’t differ but you never know. There’s also a smaller 53 kWh battery pack available exclusively with rear wheel drive, for those willing to trade driving range for a lower entry price…whatever that price winds up being.

Speaking of range, using the international WLTP standard, the rear-drive IONIQ 6 with the long-range 77.4 kWh battery pack is rated to cover 381.5 miles. In America, the EPA’s range standards are more demanding so that number should land closer to 350 miles. For perspective, with the same battery/motor setup, the less-aerodynamic IONIQ 5 is EPA rated to cover 303 miles.

The cumulative experience motoring the IONIQ 6 is lovely…at least driving at modest Korean speeds. But Hyundai’s Streamliner has other charms like vehicle to load abilities, meaning that with a 120V accessory outlet you can use your IONIQ 6 to charge an e-bike, operate a compressor to fill a floaty for a day at the pool, or power a PA so you can bombard nearby squirrels with your EV-themed poetry set. Sorry squirrels. Inside, there’s Hyundai’s familiar dual 12.3” screen setup for gauge cluster and infotainment duties. The interface reflects the current state of Hyundai.

Which is to say, visually appealing and easy to navigate. Screens aside I love the elegant minimalism of the interior. Long door storage. Lengthy center console setup.

Space is good in front. In back, legroom is exceptional but headroom for my long-torsoed 5’ 10” body is barely adequate. Nice flat floor for middle occupant.

For luggage hauling, the trunk is workably sized but not huge. However there is a wide passthrough to accommodate larger gear. Open the hood and there is a frunk but it is tiny. Just enough room for a Moleskin overflowing with cringe-inducing prose.

Wrapping up I’ll add that driving with the side camera setup felt unnatural and I’m not too bothered they aren’t coming to the US. The updated Highway Driving Assist feature did an excellent job keeping the IONIQ 6 stably in its lane, though it doesn’t yet offer hands free abilities. And the more I examined the 6’s stylistic quirks in and outside, the more I liked it. The partially translucent door storage plastic, matching translucent shark fin antenna, and omnipresent pixel theme successfully charmed me. Based on first impressions, the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 is an intriguing electric conveyance, but the current picture is incomplete. I need to know more about its features, range, and price to understand how it fits into the American EV marketplace.

What I do know is that for as odd as it might look, the IONIQ 6 quick, refined, livable, and efficient. Assuming Hyundai prices it right, it could be an interesting choice.

00:00 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6
0:28 Exterior
1:29 Powertrain
2:09 Range
2:45 Driving Impressions
6:00 Interior