[TEST DRIVE] Hyundai's Ioniq 6 packs a punch in its streamlined but spacious design

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[TEST DRIVE] Hyundai's Ioniq 6 packs a punch in its streamlined but spacious design

Ioniq 6s, Hyundai Motor's first all-electric sedan [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Ioniq 6s, Hyundai Motor's first all-electric sedan [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

GAPYEONG, Gyeonggi — Hyundai Motor's electric vehicle (EV) catalog is expanding, this time with a polished and futuristic sedan.
 
The Ioniq 6 is the first all-electric sedan from the Korean automaker in a market that is largely dominated by Telsa’s Model 3.
 
It is the second EV to be introduced under Hyundai’s all-electric Ioniq brand, after the taller and boxier Ioniq 5.
 
The Korea JoongAng Daily recently got behind the wheel of a white, long-range version of the Ioniq 6 for a 125-kilometer (78-mile) roundtrip journey within Gyeonggi, from Hanam to a cafe in Gapyeong.
 
From the exterior design, it was evident how much effort Hyundai put in to give the vehicle a distinctive look.
 
With a slim and sleek body, the sporty car looks like it came back from the future. Under Hyundai's new design concept, which it calls "electrified streamliner," the EV features are decidedly aerodynamic.
 
It also comes with a new emblem, made of thin flat aluminum, giving the car a luxurious look. The vehicle does not resemble any other Hyundai sedans like Avante and Sonata, which are frequently criticized for their rough designs.
 
The rear portion of the car with its horizontal taillights, rather, looks similar to the Porsche 911 sports car.
 
Getting into the driver's seat, the seat automatically moves and adjusts to best fit the driver's legs.
 
Thanks to the vehicle’s 2,950-millimeter (116-inch) wheelbase, or the distance between the front and back wheels, the interior was spacious — originally a point of concern considering when people first saw its slim exterior.
 
The sedan also comes with side-view cameras instead of traditional side mirrors, which don’t have to be adjusted depending on the driver.
 
The cameras, however, are currently not available in the United States, as it is not legal in the country. U.S. customers will have to settle for the traditional side mirrors instead.
 
Interior of the Ioniq 6 [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Interior of the Ioniq 6 [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

 
The modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and a 12-inch digital cluster. A bridge-type center console provides convenient and generous in-car storage.
 
The Dual Color Ambient Lighting system allows drivers to select a color out of 64 options to customize the interior. This reporter chose a shade of blue, and the blue lighting synced with the vehicle’s speed. The brighter the lights, the faster the car was moving.
 
Driving was incredibly smooth and quiet, and pressing the acceleration and brake pedals felt very natural.
 
But the biggest advantage of this vehicle would be its mileage.
 
The long-range version can travel 524 kilometers (326 miles) on a full charge, according to the Environment Ministry. That’s only a hair short of Tesla’s Model 3, which could run 528 kilometers.
 
Based on Europe's WLTP, the Ioniq 6 could run around 610 kilometers per charge, which beats the Tesla.
 
The long-range version comes with a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery made by SK On, LG Energy Solution and China's CATL.
 
When the two-and-a-half hour, 125-kilometer test drive was finished, the vehicle was left with 227 kilometers on its battery. Considering the test drive started off with 348 kilometers, about 4 kilometers were saved through regenerative braking, which converts the kinetic energy of the car to electricity when it slows down.
 
The amount of saved energy was not dramatic, even though the system was turned on to its maximum level. But it was understandable since the test drive course was conducted almost only on the highway and the air conditioner was turned on the entire trip.
  
Its fuel efficiency for the trip was 5.8 kilometers per kilowatt-hour, compared to its official figure of 6.2. Hyundai recorded the fuel economy of all reporters that participated in the test drive, and the best one reported 7.5 kilometers per kilowatt-hour.
 
It can generate a maximum output of 168 kilowatts, which translates to 225 horsepower.
 
The EV is available in 12 exterior colors with four different interior color options.
 
The sticker price for the long-range version of the Ioniq 6 starts from 56 million won ($40,200), compared to Tesla Model 3 which begins at some 70 million won.
 
The price for the standard version starts from 52 million won, which is also eligible for a full government subsidy.
 
Hyundai began receiving orders for the Ioniq 6 on Aug. 22, and a total of 37,446 orders were made on the first day — the highest first-day order figure in Korea’s auto history.
 
This considerably surpasses the automaker’s sale target this year, which was 12,000 units.
 
Ioniq 6s are manufactured at Hyundai’s Asan plant in South Chungcheong. The company aims to make 3,000 units per month.
 
The back of the Ioniq 6 [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

The back of the Ioniq 6 [HYUNDAI MOTOR]


BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]
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