Tested: Hyundai Ioniq 6 AWD
Hyundai has broken the monotony of design and declared its leadership in the automotive industry by opening a window into the future of the car with advanced electrification technology.
It can easily become the protagonist in a sci-fi movie and roam the streets of a futuristic metropolis with other futuristic vehicles. But the Ioniq 6 is not a prototype from a futuristic digital computer rendering or the next day's vision.
It is the second consecutive member of the modern electric Ioniq range, and its aesthetics may surprise many, but undoubtedly stand out from any other proposal on the market today, electric or not.
The Ioniq 6 is a concrete example of how creative Hyundai's design department is. Despite its direct affinity with the Ioniq 5, its visual resemblance begins and ends with hundreds of parametric pixels in various parts of the body and patterns that give special light signatures that will become the hallmark of the Ioniq series.
The electric sedan's silhouette blends a wedge-shaped front, a long arched roof, and a teardrop-shaped finish, inspired by the streamlined models of the pre-war era, which in turn mimicked the basic principles of aeronautics of the time.
Others might say that they found elements of the 911 in the Ioniq 6, not only in the silhouette, but also in individual details, such as the ducktail rear spoiler. We don't know if Hyundai's goal was a provocation or not, but it has succeeded, its shape stands out from the rest, and it certainly does not go unnoticed.
It also achieves class-leading aerodynamic efficiency (Cd: 0.21), which expands the potential of Hyundai's advanced electric drive technology in the modular E-GMP platform used in the Ioniq 6.
The formula's most powerful features include the 800V architecture (which allows DC fast charging with up to 232 kWh and an additional 100 km per 5 minutes of charging), a high energy density battery, V2L technology, which allows power to external devices via the car battery, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates for all automotive systems.
One of the main features of the platform is the spacious layout. The Ioniq 6 is actually a bit longer than it looks, with its 4,855mm length putting it in the upper end of the mid-range segment.
However, a wheelbase of 2,950 mm is rare in cars under five meters. This, in turn, translates into an extremely spacious salon, especially with the air of a limousine for rear passengers. The front seat backs are 30% thinner, providing more legroom for rear passengers, who can even sit cross-legged.
The completely flat floor and ample width can easily accommodate even a third passenger, while the relatively low roof finish doesn't take up headroom, which would only seem insignificant to passengers of much higher than average size. Two-zone ambient lighting, trim in matte aluminum, and strong digital elements with panoramic panels with two 12.3-inch screens give the interior image a luxurious atmosphere.
However, some of the extra touches that have nothing to do with the overall neatness and high-quality styling are some hard-to-touch materials on the dashboard and doors – including recycled plastic – and some poor-looking switches, such as those for windows, which are actually placed in an ergonomically unergonomic location on the center console.
It is worth noting, however, that from the first moment, the salon of Ioniq 6 conveys a pleasantly calm and relaxing feeling. This is largely due to the aesthetics, ease of use and practicality of the smart solutions, such as the floating center console, as well as good sound insulation that emphasizes the quietness inherent in the electric chassis.
Since then, the digital track has followed the familiar pattern of the Ioniq 5 and other new models of Hyundai. The multimedia system is fast and easy to use, with a wide range of connectivity functions and applications as well as optimized energy management.
As the only weakness, we will notice the lack of wireless connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - this is done via a USB connection - while we want to save the settings of the rich platform of active safety and assistance systems so that there are no problems. Every time the car is restarted, the parameters need to be reset according to the driver's preferences.
The all-wheel-drive version with two electric motors and a large 77.4 kWh battery in our tests is the flagship of the Ioniq 6, although we are sure that the Hyundai N division will soon add a hotter version to the range. But before it hit the market with this version, the 325 PS and 605 Nm of this version offered a better performance package than the Korean sedan.
Accelerating from a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.1 inches is a hallmark of the Ioniq 6's ability to climb gears in the shortest time and distance. Even better, the chassis is dynamic enough to support this performance when the driver needs it.
Although it may seem contradictory, the Ioniq 6 sedan's suspension setup is more efficient and precise than the hatchback's (theoretically younger) Ioniq 5, resulting in a more balanced, precise whole. Even in a sports program that maximizes the performance range, the Ioniq 6 doesn't deposit any sporty emotions by steering, braking, or pedaling. But there is no doubt that he wins your heart with the consistency of every dynamic of his expressions.
The intelligent four-wheel drive regulates the power of each wheel in real time, providing excellent traction even on general road surfaces, while the low center of gravity and precise management of the suspension load with precise steering and powerful brakes make for an efficient combination, even on darts roads.
However, we believe that the real strength of the Ioniq 6 lies in the depth and balance it offers in every possible everyday scenario. For example, the suspension, in addition to precise control, provides solid, comfortable roll, which emphasizes the quality characteristics of the Ioniq 6.
In the Eco and Normal programs (which, as in the Sport, can be selected via a practical rotary switch at the lower left end of the steering wheel), the parameterization of the torque output is particularly smooth, so micron precision is not required. Pressurize the gas to avoid the violent explosions that usually accompany powerful electric models. In addition, the adjustment of the degree of recovery, which even allows one-pedal driving, is done through the paddles behind the steering wheel, allowing the driver to easily configure his preferred driving mode at any given time.
Even though the Ioniq 6 is very agile in town and very efficient on out-of-town routes, where it really excels is on the highways. Here, the advantages of aerodynamics become more apparent, which is shown by the absence of noise and excellent energy management. Thus, when driving at speeds of 120-130 km/h, the aerodynamic noise is at the level of a whisper, perfectly complementing the very good sound insulation.
The average fuel consumption at this speed is close to or even less than 20 kWh/100 km, which is very good performance for a large and powerful car with two electric motors and 20-inch wheels. Thus, in the city we often see an indicator of around 15 kWh/100 km, while without particularly frugal gas or without sacrificing comfort elements such as air conditioning, the consumption is limited to 18 .3 kWh/100 km throughout the test.
This means a true range of more than 400 km, and if you add 800V technology to the maximum use of the power of fast chargers, then the Ioniq 6 will be one of the best options for electric vehicle mobility. Thus, Hyundai has added a proposal with a bold aesthetic to its range of electric vehicles, but with hidden essence and cutting-edge technology that makes those who are tired of SUVs wink.
In fact, entering a segment that most manufacturers are reluctant to venture into makes it easier for Hyundai to spot and exploit the shortcomings of its direct competitors, such as the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. And the Ioniq 6 is exactly that, it is more quality and refined overall in comparison with the economic and technical advantages of the Model 3, while responding to the driving temperament of the i4 with spaciousness and comfortable practicality. Friendly and balanced character.
Key technologies
Aerodynamic efficiency plays a key role in upgrading the energy management and range of the Ioniq 6. The drag coefficient Cd: 0.21 is the lowest in the Hyundai range and one of the best among production models. This result is mainly due to an innovative design, but also thanks to a number of technical tricks, such as the two active dampers at the front, the air curtain, the gap reduction between the canopy and the wheels, and the integrated rear airfoil. In addition to this, the flat hood has specially designed air passages in the car floor, further improving aerodynamics, thereby reducing turbulence and drag from underbody airflow.
Technology - Hyundai IONIQ 6 AWD
发动机：2XElectric Motors，325 PS，605 nm
Battery: Lithium-ion 77.4 kWh
Transfer: Automatic single relationship
Transmission: four wheels
悬架：MacPherson膝盖（R），多链路（R）
0-100 km /h /H ：5.1 英寸
Top speed: 185 km/h
Average test consumption: 18.3 kWh/100 km (WLTP: 16.9)
Range: 420 km (WLTP: 519)
Dimensions (L/W/L): 4,855/1,880/1,495 mm
Wheelbase: 2,950 mm
Luggage space: 401 + 15 litres
Weight: 2,113 kg
Price: from €60,490 (€49,490 with subsidy)