The Hyundai Ioniq debuted in 2016 as a newcomer sedan with an odd name. The all-electric variant, the Ioniq 6, arrived last year. It joined an impressive lineup answering to the fusion of the words ion and unique. It’s also given the floundering sedan segment hope.
Offered in SE Standard Range, SE, SEL and Limited trims, the 2024 Ioniq 6 throughout its lineup is the same as the vehicles’ debut models.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: the 2024 Ioniq 6 Limited, top of a lineup of SE Standard Range, SE, SEL and Limited trims.
- $52,600 starting price for the Limited; the rear-wheel-drive SE begins at $42,715.
- 305 miles of range with rear-wheel drive and 270 with all-wheel drive in SEL and Limited trims.
- 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC fast charger, per Hyundai.
- Driving: The four-door, five-seat sedan is quiet, comfortable and appealing in its simplicity.
- Screens: The cabin is dominated by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen.
Trims and Range
The SE Standard Range is the value leader, with a 53-kWh battery pack and a single motor (149 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) driving the rear wheels. At its top end, the reviewed Limited edition is far less known, but the strongest challenger for a Tesla Model 3.
It has more impressive qualities and fewer gimmicks at a better price. The SE trim offers the best option for EVs whose primary focus is range. With rear-wheel-drive, it’s EPA-estimated with a 361-mile range and 316 miles equipped with all-wheel drive.
The range further drops to 305 miles in rear-wheel drive and 270 in all-wheel drive in the SEL and Limited trims. Both have larger wheels and are heavier. Still, the tradeoff in better appointments from lower trims is hard not to consider for consumers not sold on the range as the only buying consideration.
Equipment and Safety
Hyundai, Kia and now the nearly-decade-old offshoot Genesis are all industry-best in value. Consider what’s offered in the Ioniq Limited. Convenience, comfort and technology upgrades are plentiful.
Technology and safety features include: The remote parking assistance allows the vehicle to move forward or backward remotely. The surround-view camera system provides a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations.
A blind-spot camera view displays an image of the vehicle’s blind spot in the instrument panel when a turn signal is activated. The automatic low-speed braking when parking function applies the brakes automatically to avoid an imminent collision with an object around the vehicle.
A sunroof, power-folding mirrors, a power-adjustable front passenger seat ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel driver’s seat memory functions provide improved comfort. Also featured is an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system.
The standard equipment list of all trims is extensive, with remote vehicle monitoring and control to safe exit alert. The latter can prevent a passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind.
Pricing and Design
The starting price range is about $10,000, beginning with $42,715 for the base model SE with rear-wheel drive. It’s several thousand dollars less than the average price of a new car in the United States. But it’s not the best option considering it has only 149 horsepower and a 240-mile range. The top-line limited trim starts at $52,600.
Unlike some EVs, whose designers seem to emphasize extremes, the Ioniq is no doubt modern. But its exterior is boastful with overbuilt extremities. Instead, it’s sleek and has the curves of vehicles from 90 years ago. The sloping roof design and spoiler are reminiscent of Porsche models, so what’s not to like?
Charging
Hyundai touts the Ioniq 6 will go from 10 percent to 80 percent charged in 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC public fast charger. It should recharge in seven hours on a Level 2 home or public charger. The Ioniq’s numbers match Tesla and the Lucid Air and the carmaker offers new buyers two years of free 30-minute Electrify America charging.
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Verdict
Driving or riding in the Ioniq 6 provides another reason with the South Korean manufacturer is far past its once lackluster reputation. The four-door, five-seat sedan is quiet, comfortable and appealing in its simplicity. Overall vision is superior. Acceleration, depending upon the model, is five seconds or faster in the 0-to-60 miles-per-hour standard test.
The steering wheel is oddly shaped but not offensive. The cabin is dominated by a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity is via BlueLink, Hyundai’s app-based connectivity service.
Tesla sold nearly 221,000 Model 3s in 2023; Sales of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 were just under 13,000. Here’s to the underdog.
Facts & Figures: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price (Limited) | $52,600 |
| Base Price (SE, rear-wheel drive) | $42,715 |
| Range (EPA, Limited) | 305 miles rear-wheel drive / 270 miles all-wheel drive |
| Efficiency (EPA, rear-wheel drive) | 129 city / 105 highway / 117 combined MPGe |
| Efficiency (EPA, all-wheel drive) | 111 city / 94 highway / 103 combined MPGe |
| DC Fast Charging | 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes (350 kW) |
| Level 2 Charging | About 7 hours |
| Seating | 5 |
| Screens | 12.3-inch gauge cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.