Reviewed: The Hyundai IONIQ 6 - The Future is Here, But Does It Have a Soul?

By Jordan Marmara

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a bold entry into the electric vehicle sedan market, one that consciously chooses to prioritize passenger comfort, driver-focused controls, and dramatic styling over the minimalist, tech-overload dogma often found in its chief competitor, the Tesla Model 3. Where many rivals favor a harsher, sport-tuned setup, Hyundai has designed the IONIQ 6 around refinement, creating a vehicle that delivers a consistently smooth, quiet, and compliant ride. Its long, 116.1-inch wheelbase (2,950 mm) results in an exceptionally spacious cabin, particularly generous rear-seat legroom, offering limo-like comfort and six more cubic feet of passenger space than the Model 3.

The Fine Print: Hyundai wanted us to try out the IONIQ 6 so badly that they had it dropped off with a full charge and let me take it on a road trip to truly test it's range and charge speed.

The technological heart of the IONIQ 6 is Hyundai's Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), a cutting-edge 800-volt architecture that is arguably the car's single greatest advantage. This 800V system enables phenomenal charging speeds, allowing the vehicle to charge its available 77.4 kWh Long Range battery pack from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes when plugged into a 350 kW DC fast charger. This class-leading metric makes the IONIQ 6 one of the most practical EVs for long-distance road trips. The maximum DC fast-charge rate peaks at an impressive 233 kW. For added convenience, the vehicle features a battery pre-conditioning function, which activates automatically when a fast-charging station is set as the destination in the integrated navigation system, ensuring optimal battery temperature for high-speed charging.

The E-GMP platform also allows for exceptional efficiency. The IONIQ 6 is Hyundai's most aerodynamic design to date, achieving an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21-0.22, thanks to features like active air flaps and a ducktail spoiler. This design prowess translates to outstanding real-world range, with the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) variant achieving an EPA-estimated range of up to 361 miles. Even the dual-motor All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version is rated for an estimated 316 miles of range with 18-inch wheels.

For performance, the IONIQ 6 is competitive, if not hyper-focused on speed. The single-motor RWD models deliver 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Opting for the dual-motor AWD configuration increases the combined output to a robust 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, launching the sedan from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 5.1 seconds.

Inside, Hyundai's philosophy centers on intuitive, tactile interaction. The driver is faced with dual 12.3-inch digital displays housed under a single pane of glass, providing a modern, expansive view of information. Crucially, in a market moving toward all-touch control, the IONIQ 6 retains dedicated, physical buttons and switches for climate control and media functions, a choice that significantly reduces driver distraction compared to relying solely on a center touchscreen.

However, the technology package carries a few frustrating compromises. The infotainment system, while generally user-friendly, only supports wired-only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an inconvenience in a vehicle positioned as a leader in modern tech. More irritating for daily use is the car's software tendency towards excessive and insistent beeping from its safety and speed limit systems, alerts that cannot be permanently disabled without deep menu dives on every startup.

The IONIQ 6 also features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, essentially turning the car into a mobile power source with a maximum output capacity of 3.6 kW. This allows owners to power external appliances, tools, or even charge another EV using either an interior outlet or an external adapter.

The IONIQ 6 is a car defined by trade-offs, particularly in its physical design. Its defining characteristic is the polarizing, highly efficient “streamliner” exterior, which is necessary to achieve its range figures but is often cited by owners as a major dislike. This aerodynamic pursuit also severely compromises utility. The rear trunk opening is surprisingly narrow and small, leading to a limited cargo capacity of only 11 cubic feet. Loading bulky items is a genuine struggle. Similarly, the front trunk, or frunk, is minimal, offering only up to 45 liters (1.6 cubic feet) in RWD models and a tiny 14.5 liters (0.5 cubic feet) in AWD versions, making it practically useless for anything beyond a small charging cable. Making this design a hatchback would really help it's usability, but what can I say, I like a good hatchback.

In terms of safety, the IONIQ 6 is exceptionally well-equipped. It was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus for the 2024 model year and received a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The car comes standard with Hyundai's comprehensive SmartSense suite, which includes Highway Driving Assist (HDA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Car/Pedestrian/Cyclist detection, and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA). In a comparative sense, it offers a more extensive collection of standard driver assistance technologies than the Tesla Model 3.

Hyundai also offers superior peace of mind through its warranty. The IONIQ 6 comes with America’s Best Warranty, including a robust 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery and powertrain components, which surpasses the coverage offered by the Model 3.

The IONIQ 6 is an exceptional car for the driver who prioritizes cutting-edge 800V charging, world-class comfort, and a user-centric interior design, all wrapped in a highly efficient package. The cost of that efficiency, however, is a polarizing look and compromised practicality in the form of limited cargo space. So if you are looking for a vehicle that will take you comfortably and efficiently over long distances, but despise the uber common Tesla Model 3, this could be the ride for you.