2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 | PH Review
The latest piece on Hyundai's EV 'chess board' has arrived. Can it be as interesting to drive as to look at?
We should apparently think of Hyundai’s range as chess pieces carefully arranged on a board. (Stay with me, because I promise this is a flowery marketing statement with at least some substance.) Design chief SangYup Lee wants his cars to share a family feel, but hopes to avoid the cookie-cutter approach some (German) brands have fallen into by attempting the same thing.
So while there might be a familiar feel to every Hyundai, there will also be an obviously different look to signify differing roles and capabilities. This is why the Ioniq 5 and 6 vary so much aesthetically, the former angular and chiselled (and really quite handsome, wouldn’t you agree?) while the latter is all curves. Lee doesn’t go as far as describing which individual chess pieces his cars signify, although he does admit the King is played by the startling N Vision 74 concept…
The Ioniq 6 is angled more towards empty nesters than the 5 and looks less awkward in the metal than images perhaps suggest. It’s clearly not as bold as the old 1930s streamliners it apparently cribs from – see the Phantom Corsair and Tatra T77 for some of its claimed influences – and the proportions are relatively conventional up close. But that doesn’t stop it from being an arresting and appealing piece of design, and not as overwrought up close as you might fear. Its 0.21 Cd profile is also near-as-dammit as slippery as a Mercedes EQS’, a car whose design arguably surrenders too much character to the aerodynamic cause.
Its interior continues down the individuality path - the dashboard looks like it has its collars flicked up, chiefly to host the displays of the side cameras if you’ve specced them, ensuring it all looks a bit odd if you haven’t – yet the overall impression is of minimalism. The clean-cut surfaces of the Ioniq 5 continue, just in an environment that’s keener to envelop and cosset you. Hyundai’s also not afraid to use bright and breezy cabin colours rather than the default blacks and greys, too. But while you sit lower in here than in a 5, it’s still not quite low enough. Its battery cells raise the floor and you’re never as low-slung as the exterior styling seems to promise. Nor does the steering wheel reach out quite far enough to your chest.
Which is only a shame because dynamically there’s plenty to like. The Ioniq 6 launches in two guises; a 228hp and 258lb ft Ioniq 6 RWD kicks things off at £47,040, while the AWD nudges over the £50k mark but offers 325hp and 446lb ft in return. Both claim around 330 miles of range with their shared 77.4kWh battery brimmed. You can top it up nice and quickly given their 800v architecture and its ability to wring the full potential from ultra-fast chargers, too.
It feels more than quick enough in base trim and – I promise this is a compliment – screams ‘cossetting repmobile’ thus specced. Progress is smooth, swift and near silent but there’s an underlying tautness to its handling that gives people like us faith they’re driving something that’s had time and care lavished on its development. You can even turn off the stability control with a simple button press and go looking for low-speed moments of mischief, too. Not really what this car’s about, of course - but thoroughly amusing that it’s possible.
It’s the 325hp AWD version that receives the most attention though, with a relatively modest £3,500 and 110kg premium to pay for its additional 97hp and 188lb ft, enough to slice over two seconds from the 0-62mph time. It’s mighty quick too, the force of its acceleration comfortably sustained past the point the RWD car begins to tail off. If you want proof your extra cash was well spent, a sub-menu switches the car into a rear-drive mode and thus the peak power of the base car. Presumably, it’s meant for efficiency rather than being any sort of drift mode…
Naturally, there is plenty of other adjustment available besides: four drive modes, four levels of brake regen (neatly adjusted through the paddle shifters) and four levels of electronic powertrain noise. To my own surprise, I liked ‘Minimised’, handily the first notch above ‘Off’. Whichever power output you choose it handles pretty deftly; the lightness of touch of all its controls means you’re rarely drawn into hustling the thing, but it responds pretty precisely when you do, keeping its mass neatly in check, a firm edge to the ride at urban speeds paying dividends when you throw its range figure to the wind and start enjoying yourself. In short, there’s a very strong base for the inevitable N version (seemingly previewed by the Hyundai RN22e concept).
If dynamism is your number one priority, you might be inclined to stick with a BMW M340i in this price range. Perhaps your use case simply forces you to. But if you’re dead set on an electric car this is right up there with the most appealing on sale.
I try to avoid getting too evangelical about intelligent platform sharing, as it’s hardly likely to whip enthusiasts into a frenzy, but the E-GMP base that sits below all manner of electric Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models is clearly a good ‘un. As was the decision to hire Tyrone Johnson, the guru of the Mk3 Focus RS, for the chassis tuning. The base of all Hyundai’s chess pieces is increasingly strong.
I’ll be the first to admit that £50,000 for a Hyundai saloon is strong, but at first glance its daring curves you might have you assuming the Ioniq 6 is gunning for the Porsche Taycans of this world rather than the Tesla Model 3s. It certainly wins a lot more of my affection than the latter, its interior blending tradition and technology deftly. Sure, there are lots of gadgets and the occasional bout of gimmickry, but crucially it’s all laid out right where you’d expect it to be, and mercifully free of oversized tablet screens. And it all feels brilliantly screwed together, too.
Perhaps, when the N version does land, this car really will take things to the Taycan. Given how the Kia EV6 GT almost pitches itself as a chunkier half-price alternative, I think it’s fair to keep our hopes high for N Division’s electric future. Anyone still not taking the Koreans seriously might soon find themselves on the wrong end of a game-losing checkmate.
Specification | Hyundai Ioniq 6 AWD
Engine: Dual motors, 77.4kWh battery
Transmission: Single-speed, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 325
Torque (lb ft): 446
0-62mph: 5.1sec
Top speed: 115mph
Weight: 2020kg
Range: 322 miles
CO2: 0g/km
Price: £50,485
I’ve got an EV6 GT and it’s every bit a Taycan turbo competitor yet 1/2 the price, probably more reliable and a foot shorter but with better luggage space so more convenient.
Also, it seems like sedans are an endangered species. Many people like the idea of being able to take a big load of "stuff" back from the shops, or do a tip run. A different form factor allows a lot more "stuff" to be carried.
I’ve got an EV6 GT and it’s every bit a Taycan turbo competitor yet 1/2 the price, probably more reliable and a foot shorter but with better luggage space so more convenient.
As a lifelong BMW fanboy, it never occurred I'd one day be stuck over which Hyundai Group vehicle I want the most.
I’ve got an EV6 GT and it’s every bit a Taycan turbo competitor yet 1/2 the price, probably more reliable and a foot shorter but with better luggage space so more convenient.
As a lifelong BMW fanboy, it never occurred I'd one day be stuck over which Hyundai Group vehicle I want the most.
Kia EV6 GT UK RRP from £61,895
Porsche Tayan UK RRP from £79,200
A £17.3k (or 21.8%) difference isn't 'half the price' really, is it? Also, come resale time, we all know which car will hold its value better...
EV6 "probably more reliable" than a Taycan? Maybe, but how'd you come to that conclusion?
EV6 GT length - 4695 mm (width 1880 mm)
Taycan length - 4963 mm (width 1966 mm)
EV6 is 26cm less, so close to (but not quite) a foot shorter.
Interestingly, even with its larger dimensions, the Taycan actually weighs less than the Kia coming in at 2071kg its lightest form vs the EV6 GT's 2200 kg.
EV6 GT luggage capacity 480 litre boot (back), with seats down 1,260 litres and a 20 litre boot (front)
Taycan 405-litre boot (back), with seats down 1,296 litres and 84-litre boot (front)
EV6 GT has less space overall but is its available storage actually 'better'? I'd say that depends on that particular individuals needs.
From a styling perspective, the Taycan looks far more sleek to me than the EV6, mostly because it sits lower at 1378mm vs the EV6s 1550mm.
Personally, I do not see Kia and Porsche as competitors from a brand perspective at all and I doubt the average person in the street would either - telling someone you drive a Kia would not elicit the same reaction as telling that same person you drive a Porsche!
Kia EV6 GT UK RRP from £61,895
Porsche Tayan UK RRP from £79,200
A £17.3k (or 21.8%) difference isn't 'half the price' really, is it? Also, come resale time, we all know which car will hold its value better...
EV6 "probably more reliable" than a Taycan? Maybe, but how'd you come to that conclusion?
EV6 GT length - 4695 mm (width 1880 mm)
Taycan length - 4963 mm (width 1966 mm)
EV6 is 26cm less, so close to (but not quite) a foot shorter.
Interestingly, even with its larger dimensions, the Taycan actually weighs less than the Kia coming in at 2071kg its lightest form vs the EV6 GT's 2200 kg.
EV6 GT luggage capacity 480 litre boot (back), with seats down 1,260 litres and a 20 litre boot (front)
Taycan 405-litre boot (back), with seats down 1,296 litres and 84-litre boot (front)
EV6 GT has less space overall but is its available storage actually 'better'? I'd say that depends on that particular individuals needs.
From a styling perspective, the Taycan looks far more sleek to me than the EV6, mostly because it sits lower at 1378mm vs the EV6s 1550mm.
Personally, I do not see Kia and Porsche as competitors from a brand perspective at all and I doubt the average person in the street would either - telling someone you drive a Kia would not elicit the same reaction as telling that same person you drive a Porsche!
You need more than a base Taycan to match the EV6's performance, also the EV6 GT comes fully loaded, how much do you need to spend on options on the Porsche?
Who cares about brand image?, choose the best car and don't worry about what people on the street think, IMO that's the KIA (I have a 911 as well by the way...) I actually think the fact that the KIA is so good and much better value than the Porsche is kind of cool.
Kia EV6 GT UK RRP from £61,895
Porsche Tayan UK RRP from £79,200
A £17.3k (or 21.8%) difference isn't 'half the price' really, is it? Also, come resale time, we all know which car will hold its value better...
EV6 "probably more reliable" than a Taycan? Maybe, but how'd you come to that conclusion?
EV6 GT length - 4695 mm (width 1880 mm)
Taycan length - 4963 mm (width 1966 mm)
EV6 is 26cm less, so close to (but not quite) a foot shorter.
Interestingly, even with its larger dimensions, the Taycan actually weighs less than the Kia coming in at 2071kg its lightest form vs the EV6 GT's 2200 kg.
EV6 GT luggage capacity 480 litre boot (back), with seats down 1,260 litres and a 20 litre boot (front)
Taycan 405-litre boot (back), with seats down 1,296 litres and 84-litre boot (front)
EV6 GT has less space overall but is its available storage actually 'better'? I'd say that depends on that particular individuals needs.
From a styling perspective, the Taycan looks far more sleek to me than the EV6, mostly because it sits lower at 1378mm vs the EV6s 1550mm.
Personally, I do not see Kia and Porsche as competitors from a brand perspective at all and I doubt the average person in the street would either - telling someone you drive a Kia would not elicit the same reaction as telling that same person you drive a Porsche!
Performance wise to be like for like in a straight line a decent spec Turbo is twice the price i.e. £130-£140k.
Even a base Taycan with the bigger battery which you need and a sensible specification is basically £90k.
You need more than a base Taycan to match the EV6's performance, also the EV6 GT comes fully loaded, how much do you need to spend on options on the Porsche?
Who cares about brand image?, choose the best car and don't worry about what people on the street think, IMO that's the KIA (I have a 911 as well by the way...) I actually think the fact that the KIA is so good and much better value than the Porsche is kind of cool.
I suspect the Porsche buyer would be adding at least £15K of options to get anywhere near the Kia and I say this as someone who lived with both versions of the Taycan in 4S guise for well over 3 months. Great car but horrendously expensive when suitably specified.
Your Kia will have offered much better value for money, relatively speaking that is.
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