Hyundai Ioniq 6: Five reasons why we love it…and five reasons why we loathe it

Korean brands are in good form when it comes to electric cars and Hyundai is no exception. The boldy-styled Ioniq 5 turned heads when it arrived in 2021, with the brand adopting a whole new design language and electric E-GMP architecture.

Hyundai recently expanded its EV line-up with the super-slippery and ultra-sleek Ioniq 6, dubbed by its makers as an ‘electrified streamliner’. Here, we share what makes the Hyundai Ioniq 6 so good, while also revealing some of its less desirable traits. 

1. We LOVE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

It looks brilliant, being both striking and stylish, while maintaining its purpose as a family saloon. The car harks back cars from the 1920s and 1930s that were designed with the slipperiest shape possible to reduce aerodynamic resistance and increase their speed and range. Hyundai’s streamliner was able to achieve a drag coefficient of Cd 0.21, helping it to travel further on a charge. 

2. We LOATHE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

The suspension is a little firmer than rivals, with the car tending to jostle you around somewhat over pockmarked roads. Larger 20in wheels don’t help and will often bump over potholes and expansion joints. There is a floaty feel to the ride quality, but ultimately the Ioniq 5 does a better job at dealing with bumps. 

3. We LOVE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

Even though the exterior steals the show, it’s the interior that helps win over the audience's hearts. There is a real premium feel to the inside of the Ioniq 6, with metal components, and textured plastics helping to increase the overall refinement. The seat upholstery also feels more upmarket compared to the artificial leather used by some rivals and you sense that the Ioniq 6 is a step up from the 5 in terms of quality and finish. 

4. We LOATHE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

The rear space has been compromised by the sloping roofline of the car, which means taller passengers will struggle to get comfy in the back. Hyundai has angled rear seats so you sit in a lower, more slouched position, but if you're over six feet tall then your head will feel pretty close to the headliner. A hefty amount of legroom does help to assuage this, however. 

5. We LOVE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

You won’t have to spend hours at a charging point due to its superfast charging capabilities. The Ioniq 6 has a maximum charging speed of 350kW, so if you can find a device with such an output you can charge from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. A Tesla Model 3 takes 25 minutes in comparison. 

6. We LOATHE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

While its range of 382 miles is admirable, it’s not as efficient as its main rival, the Tesla Model 3. In the real world the Ioniq 6 can achieve around 3.0m/kwh; the Tesla Model 3 on the other hand pushed efficiency boundaries further, regularly achieving 4.0m/kWh. Despite its longer range figure, you’re actually more likely to travel further in the Tesla. 

7. We LOVE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

It's packed full of great usable technology that’s easy to get to grips with. Like the Ioniq 5 it gets the Vehicle to Load (V2L) function allowing you to power small devices and appliances from the car’s battery. So if you want your Ioniq 6 to make your dinner one evening then don’t be afraid to plug the microwave in. 

Four LED lights have been integrated into the steering wheel which change colour when using specific functions. They switch to red when you select reverse and green when you drive in Eco mode. Other highlights include digital mirrors and an ambient lighting system. 

8. We LOATHE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

The sloping roofline means the boot has a saloon opening, instead of a more practical hatchback option. Hyundai says it would have had a greater impact on rear passengers had it gone for a hatchback-style opening, but ultimately means you have to work harder to get your belongings in the boot. 

9. We LOVE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because… 

It has the range to challenge the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. The official claimed range of the Ioniq 6 is 338 miles, with the car powered by a large 77.4kWh battery. Hyundai says its newest EV can do up to 382 miles on a single charge, but this is spec dependent. You need the RW Long Range model on 18in alloy wheels and digital door mirrors to get anywhere near the quoted 382 miles. Still, you’re guaranteed 300 miles of range in real world driving conditions. 

10. We LOATHE the Hyundai Ioniq 6 because…

There isn’t an entry-level option with a smaller battery and range, with the firm only offering the saloon with a larger 77.4kWh battery. This means that the cheapest model  – which offers a range of up to 338 miles – starts from £47,040. The entry-level Tesla Model 3 has a shorter range of 305 miles, but that costs from £42,990.