The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is totally different. The electrical sedan might share its E-GMP underpinnings with the Ioniq 5 electrical hatchback, however its aerodynamic design not solely optimizes vary, it stands out for the sake of standing out. Completely different is daring, and daring is nice, particularly in a nascent EV world that appears extra related than totally different. 

The Ioniq 6 sedan is probably the most aerodynamic manufacturing automotive within the model’s historical past with a super-low 0.22 coefficient of drag (0.21 in markets the place it makes use of camera-based facet mirrors). That just about matches the cds of high electrical vehicles such because the Lucid Air, Mercedes EQS, and Tesla Mannequin S. These luxurious flagship sedans value at the least twice as a lot and stretch out at the least a foot longer, which makes Hyundai’s compact aero good points much more spectacular. 

In the true world, or the EPA’s model of an actual world, the Ioniq 6’s aerodynamics translate partly to 361 miles of vary, and an effectivity ranking of 4.2 miles per kwh for the SE Lengthy Vary mannequin. 

Aero issues. Particularly when attempting to hurdle a benchmark. The Ioniq 6 out-Tesla’s the Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary AWD with its 358-mile vary and effectivity of three.9 miles per kwh. It’s not as fast or sporty because the Mannequin 3, however for a lot of electrical automobile homeowners, effectivity issues greater than sportiness. 

Hyundai does it with fashion. It makes use of the identical 77.4-kwh battery pack and everlasting magnet synchronous motors because the associated Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback, which in its most effective single-motor type has a corresponding vary of 303 miles and a ranking of three.3 miles per kwh. 

The sedan stretches almost 9 inches longer than the Ioniq 5, but its 116.1-inch wheelbase is 2.0 inches shorter. It additionally sits greater than 4 inches decrease and has a half-inch decrease floor clearance. It weighs about 50 kilos much less too, averaging about 4,300 kilos with a single motor and huge battery pack or about 4,550 kilos in dual-motor fashions.

The Ioniq 6 steps out of the shadow of the Ioniq 5 and carries automotive evolution on its curves, channeling the Thirties Stout Scarab airplane fuselage-inspired design to the fashionable day. There’s even a nod to the icon of icons within the Seventies Porsche 911 Carrera and its rear ducktail. 

It is a Hyundai. It makes you look twice earlier than you even discover the badge. 

What’s with the 700 Parametric Pixels?

Flush door handles and a pixelated design theme are the one outward relations to the Ioniq 5, and the Ioniq 6 actually leans into the pixelation. It makes the daytime operating lights appear to be mini ice dice trays; they comprise the reverse lights, rear lightbar, and indicator lamps within the facet mirrors. The tiny squares stamp almost each floor on the inside, on the door panels, lifeless pedal, sprint trim, door sills, speaker cowl, and smartphone charger. They even substitute the Hyundai badge on the steering wheel with 4 illuminated dots, which occurs to be Morse code for the letter H. These dots change colours quickly when switching drive modes from blue for Regular to inexperienced for Eco and pink for Sport. 

How does the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 drive?

Most of my time was spent in a loaded Restricted AWD mannequin with 20-inch wheels that tops the itemizing at $57,215, together with vacation spot. It hits 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, and whereas it doesn’t bounce off the road like another EVs it’s fast sufficient to leap forward of site visitors. 

Most Ioniq 6 use a 77.4-kwh battery pack and the selection of both a single everlasting magnet synchronous motor with rear-wheel-drive or a dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive. Later this summer season, Hyundai will supply a base SE Customary Vary with a 53-kwh battery pack and a 240-mile vary for $42,715.

The 168-kw single-motor model makes 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and it posts a 7.4-second time to 60 mph. The twin-motor setup makes use of a 75-kw motor up entrance and a 165-kw motor on the rear that mix to make 320 hp and 446 lb-ft, identical as within the Ioniq 5.

The 5 drive modes are Eco, Regular, Sport, Snow, and Customized. Sport adjusts the steering really feel from its default gentle really feel to extra resistance, and it routinely apportions torque between the axles for greatest traction primarily based on inputs. Eco mode is sort of all rear-wheel drive, and Snow mode splits the torque evenly. Throughout my drive outdoors Scottsdale, the grip on my take a look at automotive’s Pirelli P Zero tires was by no means examined to the restrict, however the sedan maintained its steadiness fairly effectively, however the automotive leaned noticeably in turns, regardless of the decrease sedan stance. 

Whatever the trim, Hyundai equips the Ioniq 6 with an impartial suspension with MacPherson struts up entrance and a multilink rear. Rubber bushings substitute for hydraulic ones within the Ioniq 5 to reduce highway vibrations, and frequency-sensitive shocks with higher oil stream are used for higher responsiveness to hurry and highway situations. It’s quieter and calmer than a Mannequin 3, however not as agile. 

The Ioniq 6 would appear the best candidate for a extra performance-oriented N mannequin, however the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N debuts first this July, replete with a lowered suspension, an digital limited-slip rear differential, and a Drift mode. Fascinating. 

For now, the Ioniq 6 is spry however not sporty, responsive however not essentially fast, and principally it’s a peaceful, quiet sedan optimized for effectivity.

Ioniq 6 vary and effectivity

Wheel and tire sizes make a giant distinction in effectivity. The SE Lengthy Vary with 18-inch wheels has an EPA-estimated vary of 361 miles, and a ranking of 4.2 miles per kwh. 

In heavier SEL and Restricted RWD fashions with 20-inch wheels, the vary drops all the way down to 305 miles and three.5 miles per kwh. 

4 regenerative braking settings accessible by steering wheel paddles can alter the effectivity. The one-pedal driving mode takes some modulation on the throttle to keep away from its attribute grabbiness. 

The SE AWD with 18-inch wheels has a 316-mile vary and effectivity of three.6 mi/kwh, whereas the SEL or Restricted AWD with 20-inch wheels drops all the way down to 270 miles and three.1 mi/kwh. For comparability, the Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary AWD goes 358 miles and three.9 miles per kwh.

Why purchase the Hyundai Ioniq 6?

It’s not as sensible because the Ioniq 5, with a roofline that cuts into rear headroom and causes 6-foot passengers to contort. The 39.2 inches of rear legroom is outstanding for a sedan of this measurement, nevertheless. Folding down the 60/40-split rear seats doesn’t open up a lot vertical house from the slender 11.2-cubic-foot trunk. It’s additionally not as tech-forward or as sporty as a Tesla Mannequin 3.

However, it’s a relative worth, regardless of not qualifying for the most recent iteration of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit score. Customary options embrace heated entrance seats, an influence driver seat, 5 USB ports, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Yeah, nonetheless no wi-fi smartphone connectivity for Hyundai. An up to date Digital Key smartphone controller now not requires a subscription and comes with higher performance. 

Customary driver-assist tech consists of computerized emergency braking, blind-spot displays, lively lane management, computerized excessive beams, and adaptive cruise management all the way down to a cease. New entrance and rear nook radar sensors, in addition to new digital camera {hardware}, make the driver-assist tech extra complete in detecting cyclists, pedestrians, and turning vehicles.

Choices resembling bi-directional charging on high fashions allow vehicle-to-load charging to energy home equipment, instruments, or for tenting gear.

Its worth proposition, in addition to its vary and effectivity, are compelling causes to hunt out the 2023 Ioniq 6. 

However probably the most compelling purpose is it’s totally different. Typically, that makes all of the distinction. 

Hyundai paid for lodging and airfare for Motor Authority to current this firsthand report.