One of the problems with fully electric vehicles is range anxiety. But in the case of the Hyundai Ionic 6, the range brings you into its gasoline-counterpart territory, making it an option for those who don’t have access to a charger where they live. After topping off, my Ionic 6 tester consistently had over 300 miles on the display. The EPA rates it at 361 miles, but conditions would have to be just right to land that lofty number. You also would have to leave the car in Eco mode, versus Normal or Sport modes. Cold weather or a lead foot can reduce that inflated number. But for most folks looking to be conservative, 300 miles is the magic number. It equates to a typical weekly fill up at the gas station, or about 40 miles a day. This brings the idea of an electric car closer to Americans. Only road warriors or very rural dwellers should look elsewhere. But the Ionic 6 consistently delivers over 300 miles even in cold (but not artic) temperatures.
What Range Tricks Does It Have Up Its Sleeve?
The ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.22 is achieved with active air flaps, full underbody covers, wheel-gap reducers and an elliptical spoiler and winglet. Aerodynamic machined 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels look great while also helping to achieve that ultra-low drag coefficient. My tester wore the 18-inch wheels for maximum efficiency.
If you do need to top off at a public charging station, the Ionic 6 is equipped with the latest charging technology, flexing an ultra-fast 800-volt/350kW charging capability that can charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 18 minutes using a 350kW DC charger. The trick is to find one of the muscular charging stations as part of your travel itinerary.
It Looks Far Out on the Outside, but Clean on the Inside
The Ioniq 6 has a futuristic look on the exterior. You can tell that aerodynamics was among the designers’ top priorities. The distinctive taillight treatment features more than 700 parametric pixels that illuminate the futuristic posterior at night. The blacked-out lower rear bumper treatment is also futuristic, but hey, you are in a fully electric vehicle.
It is way more avant-garde compared with the Tesla Model 3. But once you jump inside, everything falls into place. It takes a minute to get used to a fully electric vehicle laden with screens, but the Ionic 6 is quickly mastered without a steep learning curve.
Olabisi Boyle, vice president of product planning for Hyundai, notes “We believe in providing customers with a safe, enjoyable, and reliable experience while on their journey within a Hyundai product. We are extremely proud that the Ioniq 6 has achieved such significant recognition alongside other top-tier rivals.”
Interior Fun
The Ioniq 6 fits in the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry size category. A particularly generous 116-inch wheelbase gives all occupants, especially those in the rear, plenty of room. We loved the dual-color ambient lighting that creates an interior effect similar to the new Mercedes EQ series. Additionally, the two-color lighting can also be linked to your driving style. The Speed Sync lighting feature allows the interior LEDs to become brighter when you step on it.
Two easy-to-use 12.3-inch screens provide the driver with information. Hyundai is thoughtful about providing USB ports for all passengers in easy-to-access locations throughout the cabin. About the only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the lack of hard buttons for heated seat controls. Instead, there was a hard button in the climate controls with a picture of a seat that brought up a seat comfort menu on the infotainment system. Any time you can reduce the number of button presses for butt heat, the better.
V2L Connector
One very cool feature of the Ioniq 6 is its ability to also power household 110-volt items. There is an outlet in the vehicle, and for a little more juice an adaptor is available that transforms the battery charging receptacle into a standard household outlet. Hyundai notes that this adaptor is essential for anyone looking to camp (or glamp) with their brand new Ioniq. You can power things like a light, projector or even an air compressor to easily blow up your inflatable mattress at the campsite.
The Ioniq 6 is an impressive electric vehicle. We like that you can choose to set it up for maximum range by getting 18-inch wheels and eschewing the all-wheel-drive option. When the dashboard consistently reads over 300 miles left after topping it off with electricity, the Ioniq 6 becomes less of an electric vehicle and just a regular car without limitations. My tester came in at just over $43K – which makes it a reasonable choice for a futuristic and comfortable sedan.
