Hyundai IONIQ 6 2024 review

Model driven: Hyundai IONIQ 6 Ultimate 77.4kWh 325PS 4WD

Review by: Tim Barnes-Clay

Hyundai has been one of the leaders when it comes to all-electric cars.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 crossover, which is far bigger in the flesh than it looks in a photo, wowed the automotive industry upon its launch, earning it numerous awards, including various Car of The Year accolades both in the UK and overseas.

So what is the Hyundai IONIQ 6?

At first glance, the IONIQ 6 appears to be the futuristic combination of a retro Porsche 911 and a Mercedes-Benz CLS. But there’s far more to this car than just good looks.

Hyundai’s four-door coupe promises superb equipment and a relatively simple choice of just two trims.

My Ultimate trim test car is the higher one of the two. It boasts eco-processed leather, matrix LED headlights, solar glass, electrically adjustable door mirrors, a tilting and sliding sunroof, plus F1-inspired Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

Two powertrains are offered regardless of trim, with a single electric motor producing 228PS with rear-wheel drive, while the dual-motor version makes 325PS and drives all four wheels.

The latter 325PS version is reviewed here, and it has a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds versus 7.4 seconds in the 228PS variant.

The performance of both is impressive, especially as the power delivery is instant once you push the accelerator. And while my inner child loved the 325PS version, I couldn't help but think that the 228PS is the sensible choice in the real world.

The handling astounds, too, with limited body roll in the bends and more-than-sufficient levels of grip, helping the IONIQ 6 tackle twisty backroads with ease.

What’s the interior like?

Inside, the cabin of the IONIQ 6 is futuristic and retains much of the IONIQ 5’s design, with keyless entry/go, ambient lighting and metal pedals offering an excellent first impression.

There is a dual-screen layout, with two 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and an infotainment screen sitting next to each other in one unit behind the steering wheel.

The system is brilliant to use, with crystal-clear displays that are responsive and easy to navigate.

The climate control buttons are separate and located beneath the touchscreen. But they’re touch-sensitive, making it tricky to feel which switch you’re touching without taking your eyes off the road.

Nevertheless, voice control can operate many functions, while a head-up display, Bose premium sound system and wireless phone charger add to the luxuriousness on offer.

The front and rear seats are heated, along with the steering wheel. Meanwhile, electric adjustment is offered for the driver’s seat (plus, memory function), and lumbar adjustment is available in both front seats as standard.

That makes getting comfortable much easier, while the seating position is higher than I’d expected, making things a little tricky for very tall drivers. It is even more challenging in the rear, where the car’s armadillo shape introduces a significant sloping roofline above the backseat passengers.

Thankfully, the IONIQ 6’s long length means legroom shouldn’t be an issue, although the front seats are sizeable, making it tough for rear-seat passengers to tuck their feet underneath.

The car’s natural shape limits driver visibility, especially out of the rear. However, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera are standard. At the same time, digital door mirrors (which replace mirrors with cameras and screens) are also available as an option.

There are plenty of cubbies for storage inside the well-designed cabin, too.

Is there much storage?

The powered boot lid is convenient, although the boot is on the small side, as you might have guessed from the sizeable slope at the rear.

The IONIQ 6 has 401-litre boot capacity which is smaller than all its main rivals, admittedly not by much in the case of the Polestar 2 (405-litres). Meanwhile, the seats only fold in a 60/40 configuration, not the more convenient 40/20/40 split that you get in some cars. But there is a bit of additional storage underneath the bonnet.

What about charging, range and running costs?

In terms of running costs, all-electric vehicles attract the best savings when it comes to Benefit In Kind tax, so the Hyundai IONIQ 6 will be an attractive company car for many.

A claimed range of 322 miles in the all-wheel-drive version (338 miles in the rear-wheel drive edition) is impressive, although you'll probably achieve between 200 and 250 miles on a cold winter’s day.

Tesla tends to get closer to its quoted figures, so it will likely be more efficient in practice, considering that its battery is smaller than the IONIQ 6's pack, which is 77.4kWh on all variants.

Charging speeds are up to 220kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up can take less than 20 minutes if you can find a powerful enough charger.

One benefit of the Ultimate trim is that you get Relaxation front seats, which can lie flat, giving you the chance to have a power nap while waiting for the battery to replenish.

Is it a safe car to drive?

The IONIQ 6 earned a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2022, scoring a mighty 97% for adult occupants, 87% for children and 90% for safety assists. The tech installed to keep you protected includes smart cruise control, blind sport collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, intelligent speed limit assist, forward collision avoidance, lane-follow assist and Highway Driving Assist. Meanwhile, the Ultimate trim gets Remote Smart Park Assist, a surround-view monitor and a blind-spot view monitor.

What’s the verdict?

Overall, the IONIQ 6 is an imposing car that is pacey, well-equipped, and reasonably unique in terms of its looks.

The interior is excellent, there's plenty of technology, and the Hyundai charges very quickly (if you can find a charger capable of very high speeds).

It falls down slightly on practicality, but that's what its impressive sibling, the IONIQ 5, is there for, while the Tesla Model 3 can outstrip it for efficiency in practice.

Nevertheless, the IONIQ 6 represents another awe-inspiring effort which continues Hyundai's ascendency.

Fast facts – Hyundai IONIQ 6 Ultimate 77.4kWh 325PS 4WD as tested:

• Max speed: 115mph
• 0-62 mph: 5.1-secs
• Range: 322-miles
• Powertrain layout: Dual-electric motors with all-wheel drive
• Max. power (PS): 325
• CO2: 0g/km
• Price: £54,040



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