2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an all-electric midsize sedan that is about the size of a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. It’s unusual among the latest crop of new EVs since it’s a sedan and not an SUV, but the Korean automaker is aiming to electrify all of its segments, and it still sells plenty of Elantras and Sonatas. While it lacks the cargo and passenger space of some crossovers, it gains an advantage for its lower and more aerodynamic shape while also delivering a sportier driving experience.

The Ioniq 6 varies in price from $42,000 to $57,000 and can be had with rear- or all-wheel drive (AWD). A Standard Range battery is only available with the entry-level SE trim but a Long Range battery is included on other models. Range is estimated at 240 miles for the most affordable Ioniq 6, but the Long Range rear-drive model should return 361 miles and can be had for only a few thousand more. Higher trimmed Long Range variants (SEL and Limited) are rated at 305 miles for rear-drive and 270 miles for all-wheel drive, with range reduced thanks to their larger, cooler-looking wheels.

Carmakers have understandably concentrated on popular SUVs over the years, leaving the Ioniq 6 with few direct sedan competitors. The Tesla Model 3 is the most direct rival and its price and range are comparable. The Ioniq 6 holds an advantage when it comes to comfort, build quality and infotainment. The Polestar 2 is a sedan with a greater emphasis on performance and the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a much bigger car that straddles the line between sedan and SUV. The BMW i4 is a similar shape and sportiness, but all three of these rivals start at higher price points.

After driving the top trim AWD Ioniq 6 Limited, we were impressed with its potent 320 horsepower output, sporty handling and high levels of comfort. We were less impressed by the unusual exterior styling, but admit that we’re in the minority with that opinion. It has a lozenge-like look, not dissimilar from Mercedes-Benz’s EQE or an old Saab, but it will split opinions. The interior is far less controversial and artfully blends luxury and technology in an attractively simple package.

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has what it takes to lead the very small class of electric sedans. It’s sensibly priced and returns strong performance and likely more range than most will need. Our biggest complaint is the rather small cargo capacity, but that’s far from being a deal breaker. If you’ve been considering the leap to EVs, the Ioniq 6 is an excellent choice and there are several models to fit your needs and budget.

Performance: 13/15

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is available with the Standard Range 53 kWh lithium-ion battery pack or the 77.4 kWh Long Range battery. You can also choose rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The most affordable model is the standard range SE trim with rear-drive that produces 149 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Long Range upgrade increases output to 225 hp but torque remains the same.

Higher trim levels come standard with the Long Range battery. Opting for AWD adds a second motor to drive the front wheels and bumps output to 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. 

Hyundai claims the Long Range with all-wheel-drive will reach 60 mph in a quick 5 seconds while the rear-drive version is estimated at 7.3 seconds. The sole standard battery with rear-wheel drive should accelerate to 60 mph in just under 9 seconds.

In our time driving a Long Range AWD model, we found the acceleration to be immediate and powerful but very manageable. Handling was surprisingly capable on a curving mountain pass and the abundance of power is well-matched for an engaging and athletic driving experience.

Range, Energy Use & Charging: 14/15

The Ioniq 6’s Standard Range battery is only available on the base SE trim with rear-drive and is estimated to return 240 miles on a full charge. Adding the Long Range battery increases range to 361 miles, which is the longest in the lineup. Adding AWD to that trim results in more power, but range drops to 316 miles.

Higher trim levels come with the Long Range battery, but they also come with heavier 20-inch wheels that reduce all-wheel drive range to 270 miles. Rear-wheel drive models are estimated to return 305 miles.

Both batteries are capable of DC fast charging at a maximum rate of 350 kW and if you’re lucky enough to find one of these operational chargers, Hyundai claims it will recharge the Ioniq 6 from a 10 percent charge to 80% in a very quick 18 minutes. Buyers receive 30 minutes of free fast-charging sessions at Electrify America public stations for the first two years after purchasing.

On a 50 kW charger, you can expect that same charge to take 58 minutes for the Standard Range and 73 minutes for the Long Range. A typical Level 2 home charger should require between five and seven hours, respectively.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 11/15

As of this writing, crash test results have not yet been published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). We expect the Ioniq 6 to perform well since it received five-out-of-five stars in both Euro and Australia NCAP testing, but in the meantime the lack of U.S. testing hurts its score.

Standard safety features for all Ioniq 6 models include frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, a driver attention monitor, safe exit warning and a rear passenger reminder.

Stepping up to the SEL trim adds adaptive cruise control with machine learning, blind-spot collision avoidance and frontal cross-traffic collision avoidance. The top Limited trim caps the features list with a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, enhanced automatic emergency braking when parking and remote parking assist.

Comfort & Room: 12/15

The Ioniq 6’s front seats are generously cushioned to deliver many hours of comfortable touring and can easily accommodate larger and smaller drivers alike. The base SE trim comes with cloth upholstery while the higher trims receive Hyundai’s H-Tex synthetic leather. Heated seats are standard for all models, but if you want ventilation and driver seat memory functions, you’ll have to spring for the top Limited trim. Compared to the unusually firm seats in a Tesla Model 3, the Ioniq 6 is noticeably more comfortable.

The rear seats offer enough headroom for an average 5-foot-10 adult passenger (40.2 inches, which is more than Tesla’s back row), but not much more. There’s only an adequate amount of legroom though: 34.7 inches, just below Tesla’s 35.2 inches and on the small for a sedan this size. Despite the sloping roofline, rear passengers won’t feel claustrophobic since the tall windows provide a decent outward view. As is the case with most vehicles, the rear seats aren’t as contoured as the front and don’t offer the same level of support.

Infotainment: 13/15

The Ioniq 6 sports two 12.3-inch displays atop the dash—one for the instrument panel and a touchscreen for the infotainment system. Wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included along with a native navigation system and voice controls. A six-speaker audio system with satellite radio is standard but the top Limited trim upgrades to an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system. A wireless charging pad comes with the SEL and Limited trims. Up front, you have a USB-A port data connection and two USB-C charge ports while the rear seats have two USB-C charge ports. Hyundai’s Bluelink remote control and monitoring is also included. 

We’re pleased that not all controls are embedded in the touchscreen as Hyundai smartly placed a row of physical shortcut buttons below the touchscreen for easier and less distracting operation. There is also a section of capacitive touch buttons for the dual-zone automatic climate control.

On-screen graphics are sharp and modern with quick responses to commands. The infotainment menu structure is logically arranged and easy to acclimate to in little time. The instrument panel delivers a wealth of information, but it may take a bit longer to get used to the unusual power indicators.

Cargo Space & Storage: 8/15

The Ioniq 6’s trunk can hold up to 11.2 cubic-feet of cargo, which is rather small for a midsize sedan. By comparison, the Tesla Model 3 can carry more than double that despite its more compact overall size. The rear seatbacks fold to expand that capacity and there are some convenient release latches in the trunk. Helping matters is a wide and low opening that should make loading heavy objects easier. There is a frunk (front trunk), but it only measures 0.5 cubic-feet, making it useful for a charging cable and little else.

For smaller personal effects, front passengers have a rubberized phone tray, two large cup holders, a medium-sized center armrest bin, and some long door pockets. Small item storage is comparable to the Tesla Model 3, but the phone tray in the Ioniq 6 is easier to use and better at securing your device.

Style & Design: 8/10

Opinions of the Ioniq 6’s double curve exterior styling are somewhat split, though informal pop polling points to most liking the design. This reviewer is likely in the minority, as the shape seems bloated with awkward slashes in the bodywork to create spaces for the taillights and a rear wing that seems out of place.

The interior is far less polarizing with its clean and simple horizontal dash. The large dual digital displays add an appropriate tech-forward appearance. At night, the interior ambient lighting casts splashes of color against the textured door panels for a modern lounge-like vibe. Materials quality is appropriately pleasant for a $50,000-plus vehicle and is noticeably better than a Tesla Model 3. Build quality is also sturdier, with none of the creaks and flimsiness of the Tesla.

Is the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Worth it? Which Ioniq is the Best Value? 

The most Ioniq 6 SE Standard Range with rear-wheel-drive is the most affordable in the lineup with a starting price of $42,715 (including $1,115 in destination fees). At the top of the range, the Limited all-wheel drive starts at $57,215. For many new EV shoppers, range is a priority and the SE Long Range rear-wheel-drive is the range leader with 361 estimated miles. In reality, most drivers don’t legitimately need that much range and could easily get by with the base model’s 240 miles. We also recommend sticking with the more efficient rear-drive instead of all-wheel-drive unless you live in weather-prone regions.

At the time of writing, the Tesla Model 3 is priced similarly to the Ioniq 6 and is estimated to return comparable range. The Ioniq 6 enjoys a significant advantage for its noticeably better build quality and comfort, as well as the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. With most carmakers concentrating on SUVs, there are few all-electric competitors to the Ioniq 6 besides the Tesla Model 3.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6?

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 should cost less to insure than its peers, but it’s a new vehicle so data is still forthcoming. According to our preliminary research, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium starting around $2,400, though this averages all 50 states. A Tesla Model 3 owner might pay $3,052 per year (and up to $4,000 for more performance versions), while the Polestar 2 is $2,600 and the pricier BMW i4 starts around $3,076. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.