Hyundai Ioniq 6 review: performance, motor & drive
The Ioniq 6 is by no means a true driver’s car, but it’s slightly more fun to drive than its Ioniq 5 sibling
| Model | 0-62mph | Top speed | Driven wheels | Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single motor | 7.4s | 115mph | Rear | 225bhp |
| Dual-motor | 51.s | 115mph | Four | 316bhp |
We praised the Hyundai Ioniq 5 for its cushy and comfortable ride, but while there’s a hot ‘N’ model on the way, the standard car offers little in terms of driver engagement. For the Ioniq 6, the boffins at Hyundai have tweaked with the car’s setup to make it feel a little more dialled-in and sharper to drive on a twisty road. A BMW i4 is even more engaging, and a Tesla Model 3 is faster in a straight line, but the Ioniq 6 is impressive nonetheless and should be more than satisfying for most buyers.
Hyundai Ioniq 6 0-62mph, top speed and acceleration
The 225bhp on tap in single motor models doesn’t deliver the same eye-widening acceleration as a Tesla, but the instant torque delivery makes the Ioniq 6 feel pretty swift. The 316bhp dual-motor model’s 5.1-second 0-62mph time felt a tad conservative to us, too; acceleration was effortless thanks to the enormous amount of torque on tap. Progress isn’t quite as urgent once you’re at motorway speeds, but there's still plenty of poke for overtaking.
Even the calibration of the brake pedal feels as though it's been tweaked compared with the Ioniq 5. The transition between energy recuperation and the physical brakes, which is something other brands have yet to perfect, is nicely judged in the Ioniq 6. You get five levels for the regenerative braking, including the i-Pedal one-pedal driving mode.
Handling
The Ioniq 6’s ride feels firm but well-damped, offering a decent balance of comfort and body control compared to the unashamedly soft Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 6 handles better as a result, but the car never quite settles and some road imperfections are picked up through the chassis. As mentioned, the BMW i4 might be the more exciting EV to drive, and the Hyundai’s considerable heft can put a strain on the tyres when attacking some corners, but overall the Ioniq 6 feels planted with the majority of its mass well contained.
The long wheelbase makes the car feel especially stable when cruising, while the steering is well-weighted and accurate, allowing you to track precisely between the white lines and taking some of the stress out of longer drives.
