VM Test Drive Hyundai Ioniq 6: Prophecy Fulfilled

Hyundai's "Prophecy" concept, realized in the form of the Ioniq 6, has become a reality. With a drag coefficient starting at 0.21, it ranks among the best in the passenger car segment. Although it makes the Ioniq 6 look a bit like a "sad oyster" visually: Compared to the original sketches and the "Prophecy" concept, the production model has lost some visual flair, but it still drives well.

The Ioniq 6 drives noticeably more actively than the Ioniq 5

And so we close the vault-like door and start. And we launch the navigation. The long-missed route planning with charging stops from the Ioniq 5 has been integrated, as well as the elimination of its harsh suspension. Number six drives significantly more actively than number five, offering generous space except for the headroom in the rear, which becomes somewhat low for those taller than 1.85 meters due to design constraints. Unfortunately, a large tailgate was not feasible, thus making the Ioniq 5 the more practical but less driving-active vehicle.

We are driving the top version in the First Edition, which delivers 239 kW (325 PS in old currency) and offers a substantial 605 Nm of torque. More than enough for everyday use, so we soon switch to "Eco-Mode." According to Hyundai, this mode officially allows a range of up to 583 kilometers – during our drive in cold Spanish surroundings near Madrid, we consumed a net 16.7 kWh/100 km – Hyundai specifies between 15.1 and 16.9 kWh/100 km depending on wheel size – so it’s not far off. Gross with charging loss, one ends up with a favorable 18.4 kWh. Thanks to 800-volt technology, the "Streamliner" is ideally charged from ten to eighty percent within 18 minutes. Thus, the Ioniq 6 competently represents the core competencies of electric mobility and is crowned with an eight-year warranty. That's why the planned 5,500 units for Germany in 2023 should be easy to sell.

Familiar small operational weaknesses remain

Driving comfort and space could convince us, but when you spend a little more time with the Ioniq 6, you’ll notice some details that might surprise – not always positively. These include the exterior mirror cameras, which simply are not better than conventional mirrors, leading one to question their purpose. Or the seat and steering wheel heating, which require navigating to the third (!) level to activate – how much easier would a simple button be here? Especially since one can still control the climate entirely and partially the audio system this way. Similarly cumbersome is the adjustment of the Head-Up-Display, which, for tall drivers, remains too low even in its lowest position. And if they set their seats completely down in the front, they are too low for passengers in the rear to slide their feet underneath. A nuisance that the Ioniq 6 shares with many other brands by now.

Some inconsistencies in the operation of the central screen also remain: for instance, the map and navigation are still separate, and when one tries to zoom on the former, the Ioniq 6 instead always sets a point in the navigation. And once you’ve worked your way to the radio stations, returning to the main menu is somewhat cumbersome due to the loss of the "Home" button.

Since this not-so-smooth operating philosophy is also found in Kia and Genesis, with which we have spent even more time, we can say from experience: no, one does not get used to this philosophy: flatter menus and more options on the first control level would help here.

Well-designed and cleverly economized: the interior design

Despite this, the Ioniq 6 offers many adjustment possibilities in the depths of its menu, including a Warp sound that we find quite successful and corresponds well to the spaceship-like advertising for the Ioniq 6. Additionally, there are many interior colors that elegantly illuminate the minimalist and futuristic door panel, whose well-thought-out design cleverly integrates the pull handle and enables manufacturing almost entirely in hard plastic.

The only drawback: the window controls had to move to the center console like in older DS models, where Hyundai consciously plays with recycled plastics. But while DS aims haptically at the upper class, the Ioniq 6's solid middle-class roots are noticeable: the headliner is simply cut off above the windshield, the hoods are not painted inside, and the trunk hinges are assembled from wildly functional semi-finished products, while the trunk itself is lined with inexpensive felt. Since Hyundai has also only fitted the Ioniq 6 with imitation leather and plastics, a bit of real fabric would significantly increase comfort. And since we’re already nitpicking: other places have better ideas for organizing the gigantic compartment under the center console.

Small details stand out all the more in light of the otherwise perfect execution

But these are many small details that stand out all the more in light of the otherwise perfect execution of the Ioniq 6. Because, as mentioned: The doors close like a vault, and in terms of space and performance, the Ioniq 6 comes pretty close to the larger and more power-hungry Mercedes-Benz EQE. It also knows how to hold its ground against the Nio ET5 or the BYD Dolphin, as well as against Tesla's Model 3.

And if the formidable drag coefficient comes with a "sadder" look: The Kia EV6 bridges the gap to the even more practical and equally characterful Ioniq 5 with its large tailgate. However, those who frequently drive long distances at a quicker pace might also be happy with Hyundai's "Streamliner".

The gross prices start at 43,900 euros or 299 euros monthly

Especially since the base version with a 53.0 kWh battery and rear-wheel drive already starts at 43,900 euros gross (which is about 36,890 euros net) or is available for lease at 299 euros per month (with an 8,000 euro down payment, 6,000 of which comes from Bafa) over 48 months. The rear-wheel drive with a larger battery starts with the Dynamiq package at 54,000 euros gross (which is just under 45,379 euros net), and the all-wheel top model with the Techniq package starts at 61,100 euros gross, which is just under 51,345 euros net.

But even the "base" model is quite well equipped. According to Hyundai, it is supposed to offer up to 429 kilometers of range according to WLTP, of which in reality around 300 are likely to remain.

The "ideal choice" here is likely the large 77.4 kWh battery with rear-wheel drive, which according to Hyundai provides up to 614 kilometers of range under WLTP, of which around 500 kilometers are likely to remain in reality. It offers the same torque of 350 Nm as the base version, but 168 kW instead of 111 kW (in old currency 228 instead of 151 hp). This results in very pleasing values rather than slightly disappointing ones, especially since the 239 kW strong all-wheel drive top model, which boasts even 605 Nm of power, still manages up to 583 kilometers under WLTP, of which around 500 kilometers remain for us. That's why we now prophesy here that the Ioniq 6 will find its way and further boost EV sales at Hyundai. 

What does this mean?

With the Ioniq 6, Hyundai provides a sportier, slightly less variable alternative to the Ioniq 5. Visually indeed more controversial than the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 scores with excellent aerodynamics, resulting in low consumption and high range. The strong package is rounded off with eight years of warranty and the 800-volt technology. Thus, Hyundai's "Streamliner," despite some minor shortcomings, flows straight to the front within the mid-sized electric class - and as the video shows: It does this fairly efficiently.