2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6

The Ioniq 6 is an extremely effective electric car that’s also incredibly stylish. From the electric standpoint, the Ioniq 6 delivers competitive ranges, with a maximum distance of 361 miles. That’s really good in this present state of battery technology. We can say the same thing about how quickly the Ioniq 6’s battery can charge: 18 minutes is hard to beat.

Addressing the “car” angle, we’ve found the Ioniq 6 enjoyable and comfortable in equally high measure. And as for stylish, we liked the looks as soon as the Ioniq 6 came out and they’ve been growing on us ever since. Hyundai’s expertise with electric vehicles (EVs) is deep and wide — the Ioniq 6 is a prime example.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric cars, including the Hyundai Ioniq 6.

The top Limited trim gains a head-up display. And Digital Green is removed from the exterior paint choices. The Ioniq 6 debuted for 2023, so it’s definitely up to date and fresh.

We recommend the SEL with all-wheel drive. It’s a popular variant and comes with several desirable features like wireless phone charging, junction turning assistance, and ambient cabin lighting.

Rivals include the Tesla Model 3, with similar pricing. If buyers are considering an Ioniq 6, then they might have already ruled out an Ioniq 5 for whatever reasons, but we would still suggest the related Kia EV6 because of its sleek looks — it’s also in the Ioniq 6’s financial ballpark. The Polestar 2 occupies a space between an SUV and a hatchback, yet has sufficient style to compete — even if it does start much higher than the Ioniq 6.

Before buying a new Ioniq 6 electric car, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Resale values are about average for the class. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The SEL with all-wheel drive has two electric motors making a total of 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, which is a substantial amount of muscle. It can propel the Ioniq 6 from standstill to 60 mph in a rapid 4.5 seconds or so, and do it in that smooth and quiet way so typical of electric vehicles. This is close enough to the acceleration time of a comparable Tesla Model 3.

Being a sedan rather than an SUV, there’s an expectation for the Ioniq 6 to be more responsive and engaging than its Ioniq 5 sort-of-SUV stablemate. We’ve found them equally enjoyable. We’re big fans of the Ioniq 5 and just as enthusiastic about this Ioniq 6. It’s a pleasure to drive. One minor thing we’ve noticed is that the battery’s weight results in an occasional choppy ride quality over rough road surfaces, but most of the time it’s absolutely fine.

The SE with rear-wheel drive and a single motor has 149 horsepower. This trim offers the option of a longer-range battery and a 225-horsepower electric motor, which is also the standard setup in the SEL and Limited.

The modern and high-tech interior of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 gets an unreserved thumbs-up from us. Features like dual panoramic displays, Speed Sync ambient lighting, and interactive pixel lights on the steering wheel make us feel like we’re driving a car from the future. Yet the controls are still ergonomic and user-friendly.

Placing the window and door lock controls on the center console keeps the doors free of clutter. Thoughtful storage includes a generous cubby for large items under the center console, and excellent door pockets.

About those “winglets” on either side of the dash. In some territories, the Ioniq 6 has small exterior cameras instead of door mirrors (optimizing aerodynamics) and images are displayed on monitors where those winglets are. The United States demands mirrors, leaving the winglets to become an interesting design element.

Rear legroom is adequate at 34.7 inches. The sloping roofline will constrict rear headroom for taller types, but it’s less of an issue for the average adult. Trunk space measures 11.2 cubic feet, easily enough for a couple of golf bags. For comparison, the Tesla Model 3 has 35.2 inches of rear legroom and 15 cubic feet of luggage area.

Is it just us, or does the Ioniq 6 sedan look like it might have been styled by a French designer? We mean that as a compliment. Hyundai says the Ioniq 6 has a drag coefficient of 0.22, which puts it close to illustrious company like the Mercedes-EQ EQS, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. This is achieved not just by the sleek and streamlined shape, but also by underbody paneling, active air flaps at the front, and aerodynamically designed wheels. As well as optimizing energy use, an aerodynamic body helps keep wind noise to a minimum.

One-pedal driving
This is a common function with electric vehicles, where the brake regeneration is at its highest, allowing the driver to slow down and come to a complete stop just by lifting off the accelerator. If a more urgent action is necessary, there’s always the brake pedal. We’re pleased to see this feature in the Ioniq 6. In our opinion, it’s an effective way to drive an electric car and soon becomes second nature.

Partial self-driving
With adaptive cruise control and Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist keeping the Ioniq 6 centered in its lane, all it requires is a hand resting on the steering wheel and long freeway stretches become much less of a chore. We’ve found that Hyundai’s systems work effectively.

Smart trunk
Stand at the trunk for three seconds with the key nearby (in a pocket or purse, for example) and the lid will pop open automatically. No need to dance around the rear bumper with hands full of stuff.


Over-the-air updates
The Ioniq 6 can be improved after purchase with these remote software updates.

Vehicle to Load (V2L)
This means 2-way charging and it’s part of the top Limited trim. The Ioniq 6 can be used to run, say, lighting at a campsite. It can also recharge a computer, perhaps, or keep a freezer operational during a power outage.

Blind-Spot View Monitor
Another Limited-only feature, but we miss this when it’s not around. When the turn signal is engaged, it shows real-time video down the side of the car in the driver information display, providing more information than the standard blind-spot monitoring alone.

The maximum range of the Ioniq 6 is an impressive 361 miles. That’s achieved by the SE model with the long-range battery and 18-inch wheels (wheel size impacts range) and is just a couple of miles short of the Tesla Model 3’s maximum. The popular configuration of Ioniq 6 SEL with all-wheel drive is rated at 270 miles, which is still wonderfully useful in day-to-day motoring. An all-wheel-drive Model 3 with a long-range battery can run for 341 miles.

Charging times are about as good as the present technology allows. Using a DC fast charger, the battery in the Ioniq 6 can go from 10% capacity to 80% in just 18 minutes.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

The Ioniq 6 enjoys class-leading warranties. Hyundai’s excellent coverage includes a 5-year/60,000-mile (whichever happens first) basic warranty, 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and battery warranties, five years of roadside assistance (with no mile limit), and a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.

Safety Ratings

The Ioniq 6 has earned the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, plus blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assistance.