The Hyundai Ioniq 6 you are right here is the SE, the bottom rung on the trim stage with the larger 77.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack (there may be an SE Commonplace Vary). That is the primary time Autoblog is testing this model, though it is uncommon for us or any automotive publication to check base fashions like this. First, carmakers need the nicest-possible variations to be reviewed to be able to improve the possibilities of a constructive final result, which suggests higher trims. Second, and fewer cynically, they need as most of the automotive’s options to be reviewed, which once more, means higher trims.
Exceptions occur when decrease trim ranges are tied to another basic component. As an illustration, the very best 2023 Honda Accord trim stage obtainable with a gas-only engine is the second-from-the-bottom EX. The Ioniq 6 is one other instance: The SE is the most-efficient model with the long-range battery, good for 361 miles versus 305. That is an unlimited distinction, and it comes all the way down to effectivity, seemingly associated to the SE’s smaller 18-inch wheels (versus 20). The one-motor, rear-wheel-drive setup is one other key issue; a dual-motor SE long-range is barely good for 316 miles.
OK, however we’re right here to speak in regards to the inside, and if you’d like the most-efficient, longest-range Ioniq 6, that inside goes to appear to be this. The seats will likely be fabric, and each inside floor will likely be black other than the silver trim bits.
Above, you may see the distinction between the SE and a Restricted. Be aware the two-tone grey surfaces instead of all that black, though there may be an all-black model obtainable. Sure exterior colours, together with our tester’s stunning Digital Inexperienced, might be paired with a combo of grey and Darkish Inexperienced, the latter of which seems on the sprint prime and steering wheel. It is fairly cool.
OK, however you may’t have that within the SE.
This is the obvious distinction: the upholstery. As a substitute of the “bio-based” H-Tex simulated leather-based upholstery discovered on the higher trim ranges, the SE will get fabric. It is fairly unremarkable stuff. Contemplating the basic distinction between the SE and different trim ranges, I believe this factor ought to have H-Tex, too, and in the reduction of in different areas. Or, I do not know, provide better-equipped variations with the 18-inch wheels? I am simply spitballing right here.
The motive force seat is eight-way energy adjustable and heated. The Restricted provides air flow and reminiscence settings, plus an influence passenger seat.
Right here is one other key distinction: The SE would not not have a wi-fi charger. As a substitute, it has this bin, which is okay in idea, however it’s a tough plastic floor. Your telephone or no matter simply slides round on it and it is annoying.
On the upside, the USB knowledge port wanted for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wi-fi not obtainable) is true right here. It is annoyingly down by the ground within the Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 (the Ioniq 6’s mechanically associated cousins that share the identical E-GMP platform).
The Ioniq 6 additionally differs from its E-GMP siblings, in addition to most automobiles on the street, by finding its window switches and door lock buttons on the middle console. Because the proprietor of an previous BMW, that is fairly simple to wrap my head round, however for everybody else apart from Jeep Wrangler homeowners, that is going to be unusual. Hyundai says it is to make the doorways look uncluttered. I say it is also so they do not should put controls on each the motive force and passenger doorways, or swap issues round for right-hand-drive markets. In any occasion, it is higher than placing them in a touchscreen.
The again doorways nonetheless have window switches.
Right here is that good, uncluttered door panel. It’s positively a nice-looking door panel, I am going to give ’em that.
The mirror controls aren’t on the doorways, both, neither is the parking brake on the middle console as in different Hyundai/Kias. They be a part of this different stuff to the left of the steering wheel.
The door’s bottle holder just isn’t notably helpful, although, which is a typical problem in Hyundais and Kias.
Middle console cupholders are fairly customary. Common depth and diameter, respectable grippage.
Like most EVs, there may be ample floor-level storage, on this case, beneath the floating heart console. It’s sufficiently big to suit my digicam bag, which I might say is similar to a mean purse.
Fortunately, this bin does have a rubber floor to forestall issues from sliding round.
This smaller bin, nevertheless, remains to be laborious plastic. Situated aft of the window switches and partially lined by the armrest bin cowl, it will be a good place to place a telephone if it did not enable it to slip all over.
Past this sliding problem, this grade of plastic would not appear applicable for a automotive of this dimension and value.
Let’s flip to tech. This might be the very same unit discovered within the Ioniq 5, which homes touch-sensitive local weather controls and bodily controls for infotainment shortcuts (together with buttons, a quantity knob and peculiar tuning toggle).
I am unable to say I like the all-touch local weather controls, particularly for temp improve/lower which are higher served by knobs. You additionally should dig into the local weather menu to interact sync. That mentioned, they’re separate from the touchscreen, so lately, that is a win.
Now, whereas I’m all the time appreciative of bodily infotainment shortcuts, the Ioniqs lose a key button present in different Hyundais and Kias: Radio. Sometimes, there may be each Radio and Media, the latter of which incorporates Bluetooth Audio and USB-connected units. Right here, there may be solely Media, which signifies that Radio will get lumped into it. As such, to be able to get to the radio display screen, you should now both press media twice to deliver up a media menu, then press FM, AM or SiriusXM on the touchscreen, or click on House on the touchscreen and click-click-click to the specified radio menu.
After all, that star button is customizable, so I may make {that a} radio button. However that may imply I couldn’t make it the Apple CarPlay (aka Cellphone Projection) button, which is a superb function.
Right here is the touchscreen. That is mainly the very same structure as in my very own automotive, the Kia Niro EV, in addition to numerous Hyundais. It’s completely different than the Kia EV6’s audio look.
You possibly can swap these to a white background in the course of the day, however no thanks.
Listed here are the assorted instrument panel appears to be like, which admittedly, aren’t very completely different. They’re tied to the drive mode. Clockwise from higher left (or if on cellular, pics 1,2,4 and three): regular, eco and sport, plus my view of the gauges. In contrast to within the Ioniq 5 and EV6, which have very related designs, I can truly see the pace and vary figures.
What’s that bizarre squared-off trim panel that juts out? That will be the place the video facet “mirror” show can be in different markets. We get old school mirrors. I am OK with that.
The seats are fabric, however the steering wheel is wrapped in leather-based. I like this wheel fairly a bit because of the just-right grips at 3 and 9.
These little dots are literally lights. They flash inexperienced when you choose eco mode and purple when you choose sport.
This Drive Mode management on the wheel appears to be like like a knob, as in Porsches with the Sport Chrono Bundle, however it’s only a button.
Right here is the shifter, which is similar because the Ioniq 5’s. It is sensible in idea: Twist ahead for Drive, twist backward for reverse. Besides, in the event you’re used to “monostable” shifters on the middle console the place you push ahead for reverse and pull again for drive, this management setup will appear backwards.
I do not assume this can be a drawback, it does make sense. It is simply that you could be have to reprogram your mind relying in your final automotive.
Right here is the again seat. There’s tons of legroom right here: The motive force seat is pushed means again for a 6-foot-3 driver. Clearly loads of room for a giant baby seat, too.
Nonetheless, the seat is kind of low (my knees have been significantly far above the seat backside) to make up for the low roof, which was nonetheless grazing my head.
As in different EVs, there’s a flat rear flooring.
You additionally get large air vents and USB-C ports within the SE.
Lastly, right here is the trunk. It measures solely 11.2 cubic-feet, which is kind of small for a sedan. The sloped opening and trunk lid can be the massive drawback. I am going to do a deep dive in right here in a future baggage take a look at, however as a sneak preview, not all my ordinary baggage match inside.
Clearly, the Ioniq 5 is best on this explicit regard, though it additionally has its cargo points.
So there you’ve it, the Ioniq 6 SE’s inside. I believe I might spring for the SEL or Restricted and dwell with 305 miles of vary, which remains to be an terrible lot. I do not like this explicit fabric upholstery, the hard-plastic bins are annoying, and I actually just like the obtainable inexperienced sprint.
