2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 electric vehicle has remarkable driving range

2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6

Type: Four-door electric sedan, rear- or all-wheel drive

Engine: Single or dual electric motor; 225 horsepower, 258 lb.-ft. (single), 320 hp, 446 lb.-ft. (dual)

Cargo capacity: 316 litres (11.2 cubic feet)

Prices: Preferred RWD, $54,999; Preferred AWD, $57,999, Ultimate AWD, $63,999

There are occasions when two siblings, despite having the same parents, similar DNA, and comparable upbringings, are as different as chalk and cheese. One has rainbow hair and listens to K-pop, while the other has a closet full of black outfits and rocks out to heavy metal. So, too, with cars.

Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 shares much under the skin with its nifty predecessor the IONIQ 5. Both have robust electric motors and a hearty battery pack capable of long-legged, all-electric range. But, where the 5 has a crossover silhouette and styling by Minecraft, the 6 has four doors, a trunk, and bodywork that would fit right in at NASA.

Developers of the IONIQ 6 told us design decisions were made at the altar of aerodynamics to wring every single kilometre of range out of its battery pack. A simple and wide front bumper incorporates active grille shutters, twin horizonal rectangles, the flush door handles permit the side panels to scythe through the air unimpeded, and the spoiler diverts the air in such a way as to minimize the traditional “aero grab,” which can accumulate behind a car at speed.

Built on 800-volt architecture, the 77.4 kWh (kilowatt-hour, a unit of energy used by an electrical device during a given period) battery pack can be refilled from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes, if the driver can find a public Level 3 charging station capable of belting out electrons at the rate of 350 kW (kilowatts). At that rate of replenishment, 100 kilometres can be added in five minutes, and 300 km in just 15. Hooking up to a typical 50kW charger will juice the battery to 80 per cent in 75 minutes, while a Level 2 AC charging setup at home can easily refill the thing while all are snoozing in their beds at night.

It was worth the effort. Hyundai says rear-wheel drive versions of the IONIQ 6 can stretch to 581 km, outperforming just about every EV on the market.

An equivalently priced and similarly equipped Tesla Model 3 or Polestar 2 are good for roughly 440 kilometres. Adding a motor to the IONIQ 6’s front axle gives it the capacity to be all-wheel drive, great for foul weather, but it cuts the range to 509 km, still impressive. In any event, there’s a solid chance that on long journeys passengers of the IONIQ 6 will need to make a pit stop well before the car needs to be recharged.

That extra motor also brings extra power. Rear-drive cars make 225 horsepower and 258lbs.-ft. of torque, while all-wheel drive variants are good for a healthy 320 ponies and 446 units of twist.

Hyundai offers a trio of driving modes in the IONIQ 6. Eco does what it says on the package, accumulating speed at a moderate rate which belies the car’s total power output, but does wonders for maximizing its total driving range. Alert drivers will notice a bit of pushback in the accelerator pedal in this mode, but it’s easy to push when calling on maximum thrust in traffic or if exiting a side street. I favour “sport mode,” range be damned, as it permitted hyperdrive-style acceleration at the flex of my big toe and was endlessly responsive.

There are no complaints with interior space, no matter your height. A tall person getting in the back must mind their noggin getting in.

Dual 12.3-inch displays dominate the interior. One is for serving up critical vehicle information to the driver, while the other handles infotainment duties. Hyundai’s interface is largely straightforward, with the only blip being commands for changing the direction of ventilation sometimes required two pokes. Adding wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto would also be a leap in convenience. Controls are placed where you’d expect and serve as comforting visual anchors for anyone new to EVs. You can assign the controls based on your needs or preference.

The biggest bogey out back is cargo volume, just 316 litres, or 11.2 cubic feet, although it is aided by a small frunk (small storage space at the front of the car).

The IONIQ 6 makes a strong appeal on the grounds of value. Its rear-wheel drive variant in Preferred trim is priced at $54,999, and stepping up to an all-wheel drive version (with nearly 100 extra horsepower) is just a $3,000-proposition. From there, it is a further six grand to my tester’s Ultimate trim. That model bins cloth seats in favour of artificial leather, adds heat to the rear bench and ventilation to the front chairs, includes a banging Bose stereo, and tacks on 20-inch wheels. The extra weight and rolling resistance of these reduces driving range to 435 km, still a good number and deep within Tesla territory.

I’d stick with the Premium package, taking advantage of its healthy standard equipment list while retaining a long-legged driving range.

Federal iZEV rebates apply to EVs, and you’re encouraged to look for any provincial largesse which may be on offer.

The IONIQ 6 might look markedly different from its sibling, but there’s no doubt they both come from good stock.

Editor’s note: Please be aware that availability of vehicles depends on supply.