Brilliant looking car, this should be the benchmark for what EVs should be. No performance pretentions, just a moderately powerful enough car for non-enthusiast drivers who want to jump onto the EV beta-test train to pave the way for everyone else in 5-10 years if the tech truly matures.
Now I have the Ioniq 6 for the past five months. I really love this car for around the suburbs, for hilly roads and for long freeway and country road road-trips. Thanks for your review, it was one of many that convinced me that this was the car for me. I actually bought it without even doing a road test myself, because of such thorough reviews as this. 21:33 - I do not understand how the wide curve does not work with lane-follow. I have had lane-follow on in the winding roads of the Dandenong Ranges and my Ioniq 6 RWD almost steers itself around near-hair-pin bends. It certainly follows the lines on routine curves like you had.
I've been liking their styles lately and would consider this one if I were to get an EV. I keep expecting to see Paul do a J turn at the end of the reverse tests in these videos.
I'd have one on my doorstep this morning if I could. Easily the most attractive electric vehicle on sale. It is certainly busy around the back with that aero spoiler, but it still looks good overall. It is disappointing though that the overall interior quality is lacking in comparison to a Sonata for a car that is priced in luxury car territory. However, I understand that the added costs of building an electric vehicle mean cuts need to be made. Overall, very well done, Hyundai. It's no wonder the Koreans are running riot in the sales charts.
Today I test drove an Ioniq 6. It was a black coloured base model. I think it's called the Air. The car is interesting and certainly has a wow factor to it both on the interior and the exterior. The interior immediately feels cossetting and has a unique theme that's part retro with chrome buttons and part futuristic. The interior colour changes according to the exterior paint colour. Mine was an ivory white. After the initial wow factor helped by the purple ambient lighting that dances sideways a little like KITT you get the sense of how much is actually happening in the cabin. Everything is well screwed together but feels busy. The dash has a screen that extends from in front of the driver to the centre much like on the EV6 and on many modern cars. Curiously the dash has strange ear like protrusions on the dashboard, that are non-functional on all but the highest series where they house the rear view camera monitors. On the car I drove it reminded me of Dumbo's ears. The car is easy to get going and feels smooth as butter although the drive selector knob is hidden behind the steering wheel spoke at the 4 o'clock position. Once underway the road, wind and any other noises are muted to the level of what an S class Mercedes or a Rolls Royce would have been proud of just a few years ago. Acceleration is also very brisk. The handling feels a bit sedate and mature, not sporty but assured and calm. The car proceeds with purpose. It's all really nice and then the wow factor begins to dissipate. One notices how details are just too over done and over styled and don't really hold up to scrutiny. Some plastics feel decidedly cheap, like on the centre console or on the drive knob or indeed on the plastic chrome toggle switches below the screen. And there's the styling that begins to grate. I know this part is completely subjective. Some people will love it but again I feel it's over done. Examples are the twin spoilers at the back and there silver overriders surrounding the rear fog lamps. It feels very kitsch rather than classy and I am quite open minded when it comes to unique designs. The Ora Cat that cost half the price but looks much classier as does the Kia EV6 or indeed the Ioniq 5. So I think I'll stay with the Tesla I ordered. Styling wise I really think Hyundai have kicked an own goal.
Thank you for such a classy, well explained critique of this car. I find the Ioniq 6 to be hideous and have expressed such all over RU-vid with the delicacy of a sledgehammer. Good show.
Hi Paul, In my opinion you guys have the best car vlogs at least in Australia great comprehensive coverage but what about anything from Peugeot ? the 3008 if possible ?? Just bought the base model and it's just an excellent car that needs more exposure to the public, cheers
To me it is the lovechild of the original CLS Merc and a Taycan. This will date like a 2-day old meat pie in my opinion. But hey if you love it that's fine too!
I think it looks stunning, especially in black. Not the most practical in terms of space, the good old regular Ioniq is way more practical. Hyundai is killing it with their new design though, love it. Never thought I'd be a Hyundai fanboy!
Have ordered one and the look is amazing in my opinion. Not the only reason we bit the bullet. It's quiet and a comfortable, economical cruiser with good build quality. That's what we want and we don't need more trunk space
Another good review Paul! Well done. But still can't see what makes this car worth 74k...Average performance...standard interior... Ok driving assistance... Not sure how good the BMS is...but the consumption is high at 19.8kwh/100km at 20:37. Understanding it's a test veichle..but still 19.8kwh is too high for a EV sedan. My BYD Han EV's consumption is around 13kwh/100km and it's around around 16kwh/100kn on Freeway driving 120km/h.
I ordered the Prius Prime yesterday for my wife because Hyundai jacked the price on this 6 prior to launch so the Prius Prime will be $14,000 cheaper here in Canada and it doesn't require level 2 infrastructure at home. Also in Canada heating by gas is practical and efficient in the winter.
I haven't considered this but I am quite in awe of it: it just looks extraordinary though I wonder how a baby capsule might fit in the rear seat. (My daughter discovered that getting her child into Tesla 3 was a bit of a nightmare after after she took delivery.) Overall, the car seems to have cues for Porsche, Audi TT, Mercedes (Was it the CLC?), and probably others. I think it would have considerable road presence though. One thing that jarred: the use of the squared LED treatments in such a curvaceous shape. I'm thinking though that Tesla might be getting some worthwhile competition at last, which can only improve things for consumers.
How quiet is the interior compared to a typical "luxury class" car like a Lexus, Mercedes (or Genesis)? Everybody says this car is quiet, but I was curious if it's quiet relative to just non-luxury cars or relative to all cars.
It's quiet relative to all cars; I would honestly say this competes with cars that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in terms of how quiet and smooth the ride is. Some of that is because it's an EV, some of that is because it has extremely lower drag hence low wind noise, and some of it is because there's pretty solid sound dampening materials throughout including dual pane acoustic windows.
I went in person and saw an Ioniq 6 and an Ioniq 5 side by side. Seeing it in person I rather like the 6. I measured the trunk and got 109 cm front to back but I didn't get an accurate width, maybe 105? Does anyone have that figure? I'd like to know if I could get two sets of golf clubs in the back without lowering the back seats. Even if I have to take out the driver and fairway woods. Your highway drive efficiency is pretty amazing! It means it could possibly go from Brisbane to Port Macquarie on a single charge.
I think it's a busy design at the back, and that it looks really good. "Streamliner" style. The window switches in the centre reminds me of an E34 5-Series.
Its interesting on choosing your car and clicking on an itinerary to select colours, and other features like a computer game. Seems a lot of manufacturers have this function all adding cost once order of complete. My brother has the model three which is rather good. I sat in the ionic 6 and was in an ionic 5 for a test drive ears earlier. Any way on to watch the rest of this video.
I've loved Hyundai's designs ever since I bought my 1997 Sonata, which looked after me for 20 years. I'm currently driving a 2011 Mercedes C200, and test drove their EQS but didn't like it - too bulky. So the Ioniq 6 is now on my next list.
The rear end dual spoiler treatment reminds me of 80’s Fords, Sierra, Merkur, etc. looks OK, but far frumpier than the prototype/show car. Kudos on the 0.21 drag coefficient.
So the base model has less range, less performance, less reliable infrastructure, less practicality and costs more but is a better all around vehicle than a model 3??? Im not sure I follow.
Quiet afew people are complaining about iqonic 5 I've just recently brought one in the 170bhp version because the space in-between the wheels it can handle very funny. People are crashing there's going in a straight line.
They do the screen really well. Hate when it looks like they just installed an ipad, they need to make it integrate with the rest of the interior and feel like a cockpit.
The design reminds me of Hyundai Tiburon Why are the door handles always like that? Why not vertically instead of horizontal? Isn't it easier to grab if it vertical?
Regarding styling, I think it's a bit unadventurous compared to the Ioniq5 for instance. It's obviously designed for aerodynamically efficiency as the figure attests. The interior is nice and I prefer the instrument set-up to the Tesla. I think the rear seat is disappointing regarding under thigh support as shown when Paul is sitting in the back. A question I have regarding these tyre "repair "kits, what happens if there's side wall damage and you're out on a remote highway a long way from assistance? Why can't EVs with the boot space compromised by the rear motor have a spare wheel and tyre in the frunk?
They’ll typically nix the spare for weight, which adds range. And on the repair kit, you’ll need a tow if it’s in the side wall. Tesla actually doesn’t offer a spare tyres or a repair kit as standard. So you need a tow or a spare tyre delivered to you regardless.
Cheers for the great review. However, I think one potential deal breaker for me me and I would wager for most people is the question of battery life and ultimately it’s eventual replacement. I test drove this vehicle yesterday and was really impressed. Then I asked the question of battery replacement cost and was stand by the amount. Whilst the sales guy didn’t know the price for the Ionia 6, he said the cost for the Kona battery was $50k. For me if this is the long term bombshell awaiting down the road that I can live without. Are you able to shed any light on this please?
Not THAT model Porsche 911. Much more like the 1980 Porsche with the large flat rear spoiler. I love the design and styling so much that I have my finger poised to order one!
Thanks for the review! Whilst the styling may be polarising, at least it's not yet another cookie cutter compact SUV / crossover design. History will judge this to be a classic design or a failure, but for sure its "boring but safe" Ionic 5 sibling will be long forgotten.
Wait, why is the frunk bigger here? I just saw the Ioniq 6 in person yesterday and it only had a decent amount of space. Does it depend on the model of the Ioniq 6 for the amount of space?
Hyundai did a good job with the Ioniq 6 on the exterior by incorporating classic design elements in a contemporary presentation. The specs are also very competitive to others in the same price category and offers a decent ride experience. However, I have to say that the interior trim details and software of the car is rather underwhelming.
EVs are like plasma TVs every 5 minutes there would be a new and better one I’ll wait another few years until the technology gets better in charging and longer range won’t be long before 1000 kilometre range so I can drive to Brisbane to Sydney without stopping 👍🇦🇺
They will likely never be a 1000km EV in the near future. Why would you double the size of the battery pack for occasional use. Road warriors might as well just buy a petrol car.
the color one chooses seems to make or break this design. certain colors just look better and not merely because it's a dark shade (ref: Ultimate Red).
The car looks great, headlights and tail lights don’t match as a style especially when the new Kona 23 has a light bar feels like two cars due to this depending where you look at it. Also the key belongs in the bin that is horrid 😂
I own a Hyundai ioniq a very good EV car, but I'd buy a rwd model 3, no contest every day of the week. I wouldn't even consider the opposition, the only problem with tesla is every man and his dog owns one. Buy anything else if you don't want to be one of the multitude.
