Putting in seems, spellbinding in velocity, curious in character and totally electrified, the 2024 IONIQ 6 EPIQ AWD is likely to be Hyundai’s most luxurious progeny to this point. It symbolises promising instances forward for the layman futurist and veteran automotive fanatic alike.
For a automotive nonetheless very a lot in its infancy and already posturing at its Tesla, BYD, and Polestar rivals, the IONIQ 6 embodies the upper function all electrical sedans purpose for: a sustainable and satisfying future for humanity.
Therefore why EV overlord Elon Musk (or Electrical Jesus should you desire) retains Tesla patents open supply. Not solely is that this spirit visceral whereas driving the IONIQ 6 EPIQ, one should additionally view Hyundai’s electrical flagship when it comes to the breath taking innovation induced by competitors.
Casting apart worth for a second (we’ll get to that quandary), there’s a cause it bagged three World Automobile Awards final yr, and why it presses its competitors on ardour, efficiency, and sure, on seems.
There’s little doubt its design is divisive, however let’s not child ourselves, this automotive is endlessly seductive to take a look at. No matter your fashion persuasion, the IONIQ 6 should be goal magnificence.
Arcing roof and doorlines, a protracted lateral concave and flush-fit door handles showcase design finesse straight out of the Genesis playbook. The rear rightfully attracts Porsche comparisons with large hips, a slitted flush-mount spoiler and a ducktail.
Wrap round parametric pixel lighting, a diffuser-style bumper with practical aero vents, and a glimpse of the digital facet mirrors mix futurism with tried-and-true efficiency design.
The nostril, albeit barely cutesy and self-effacing, evokes heat nostalgia of the 2000’s Hyundai Coupe. LED headlights and large aero channels trace sophistication and athleticism, and in Biophilic Ink, the automotive seems like an unearthed black opal within the Aussie solar.
Zoom out somewhat, and also you’ll discover else one thing hiding in plain sight too. Now we have a brief nostril, a squat again, low centre of gravity, and large 20-inch alloys, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero tyres. And aerodynamics, actual aerodynamics.
The latter is so actual the IONIQ 6 EPIQ has the bottom drag coefficient of any Hyundai ever made. Each long-range variants (the DYNAMIQ is the opposite) use a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration with electrical motors mounted on the entrance and rear axles.
Each have a bigger 77.4kWh battery pack, with the drivetrain pushing 239kW of energy and 605Nm of torque, bringing 0-100km/h down to five.1 seconds. Which may be slower than the comparable Tesla Mannequin 3, nevertheless it hardly feels it.
Acceleration from launch is comical, and sufficient to ship you delirious. Nonetheless, the feeling of velocity appears to have extra to do with the seamless, fluid, easy, supply of energy. However there’s extra to it.
Even weight distribution from the twin motor configuration, instantaneous throttle response and steady torque help you go for broke exiting corners, all with a complete absence of roll.
With a single-speed automated transmission you’ll be able to catapult into corners and use the recuperation shifters to ‘downshift’ on the eleventh hour with out annihilating your gearbox. Some old-world chaos can nonetheless be present in moist circumstances too.
Allegedly, an AWD tail whip or energy slide is reproduceable with the addition of some liquid horsepower. A extra intimate driving expertise can also be doable by growing a customized drive mode, unlocked by holding within the Drive Mode button.
Customized settings provide you with full discretion over throttle response, steering and energy availability. It’s a continuing pleasure to drive round city, in all probability in contrast to any four-door saloon you’ve been in.
Even rolling over a velocity hump is a wierd expertise, nearly caterpillar-like because it suctions over with none harsh suggestions. Kinetic vitality harnessed by the regenerative braking system within the EPIQ is spectacular too.
On the best resistance it granted us a number of consecutive charge-free days – however when it does come time to plug it in, you might have a number of choices. A Sort 2 connector can be utilized with a house wall field (for in a single day charging), for instance.
A typical family outlet (for weekend-long charging), and public AC chargers are different selections, however the most suitable choice is a 350kW ultra-fast charging station, the place you will get from 10 to 80 per cent in beneath 20 minutes.
Vary sits at 519km (which is lower than its rear-wheel drive siblings at 614km), however that is the efficiency variant. As an added bonus, Bluetooth connectivity provides you distant cost monitoring and personalised cost schedules.
Automobile-to-load tech means you’ll be able to cost exterior digital units within the IONIQ 6, which additionally doesn’t skimp on luxurious, because of Hyundai’s sensory expertise inside. Lovely excessive decision twin screens kick issues off.
Each the digital instrument cluster and infotainment sport 12.3-inch screens that circulate collectively. It actually heightens the senses, and dynamic temper lighting integrated within the trim units the ambiance at night time.
Every finish of the sprint homes a show display screen for the digital facet mirrors. These do take some getting used to, a number of days in reality, earlier than which you’ll might be glancing out your window anticipating an ordinary mirror.
The steering wheel is tactile and acquainted, but new and thrilling with interactive pixel lights and an built-in cost standing indicator. Hyundai’s strategy to ergonomics was supposed to create a travelling workspace, a classy residence workplace on wheels.
The centrepiece of the theme is the ‘bridge’ console, moulded as a desk for units. Much less conspicuous modifications embrace the relocation of door buttons to the console to create space for practical add-ons.
In actual fact, the optionally available extras catalogue tells the total story, exhibiting how the cabin works as canvas for customized workplace equipment. Whether or not you plan to make use of your EPIQ as a automotive workplace or a pleasurable expertise away from it, it’s a curious house to be in.
It summons each outdated and new, with gentle and darkish gray two-tone upholstery, although trendy, evoking 1980’s luxurious saloon. You sit low, however the cabin is so welcoming of pure gentle it’s just like the open privateness of a nineteenth century conservatory.
Advantages of a standard four-door sedan stay, with sizeable boot house, and good rear leg room. However finally, this can be a automotive of the instances. Planet saving efforts lengthen past the powertrain and into the inside by way of the of use sustainable supplies.
Wi-fi telephone charging and heated and ventilated seats kick off the fashionable comforts earlier than issues get extra superior. The infotainment system shows devoted knowledge and knowledge, together with vitality consumption and a charging level locator.
Hyundai’s Bluelink connectivity additionally helps distant operation of door locks, local weather management and ignition by way of your smartphone. Software program upgrades for the IONIQ 6 are up to date utilizing over-the-air. Now then, to that downside of worth.
With an $86,500 price ticket (getting up into the mid-nineties after on-roads), that is massive cash. You’re additionally dumping an additional $5,000 on the highest trim Mannequin 3, greater than $15,000 on the comparable BYD Seal and over $1,000 on the Polestar 2 Efficiency Pack.
Not like its rivals which might be in every single place, with some even filling paddocks, the IONIQ 6 is under-represented on Australian roads, however charming when it seems. On this author’s view, it’s the everyman EV of the second.
Excess of a mere Tesla different, it’s one thing imbued with true character, to be taken significantly for its standalone magnificence. Yow will discover out extra on the Hyundai Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership.
To get a low price finance quote in your subsequent car buy, speak to Australia’s finest reviewed automotive finance dealer; Credit score One. To see an important vary of automobiles on the market, take a look at OnlyCars.com.au.
Our check car was provided by Hyundai Australia for unbiased evaluation functions.
