This week we were sporting the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 and were especially excited, given that a fellow, local, auto reporter claimed this to be his favourite vehicle he has driven in 2022. So we must be in for a treat with the 2023 model.
Just looking at it, it catches your eye. With its lowered stance and matte black paint job, the curves and sleek design of the Ioniq 6 draws you in. I certainly noticed the amount of heads that turned our direction when behind the wheel.
As with most electric vehicles and modern advances, the goal is to have the car feeling space-age and one way to do that is to be as minimalistic as possible. With a push of the fob or as soon as you walk close with said fob in hand, the side mirrors and all 4 four door handles pop out from the sides to greet you. To enter, you take hold of the handle at its 45 degree angle to gingerly pull the door open and help yourself in.
Here, I would like to note how special the fob feels. A silver case with Tiffany blue buttons, dangling from it a leather clasp, holding on to a branded Hyundai label. One of my minor gripes with any vehicle I drive is that if it is a luxury model, all of it, should feel luxurious. Whereas you often get the same fob for the entire brand. This is regardless of it being an economy build or classified as a higher-end luxury model. Whereas with the Ioniq 6, everything flowed and we got an elevated driving experience from start to finish.
Inside the vehicle it is just as aesthetically pleasing, and it feels like you are driving something different all together. As a small car, it feels so spacious. Seated within you are surrounded by a mix of materials and textures. Dips and ridges on the interior side door. A wing at each end of the dash with blank spaces given panels of dimples and stripes. All together this gave it a very technologically advanced look. Even the break and acceleration petals were stylish with black grips and a sliver base.
Just as eye catching, but less obvious in purpose were the four squares lit up on the wheel. They glow to start and did twinkle throughout your ride.
As roomy as the driver and passenger seat felt, it looked a lot more condensed than the spacious backseat with plenty of leg room for taller folks. It seats three, but two more comfortably. And speaking of seats, the driver lumbar support only targets the right and left lower back. It felt like two prongs poking at you, yet you barely feel anything. To simply put it, I could have used some more.
The entertainment centre screen extended from behind the steering wheel all the way to the centre console, split into two visuals. I liked how seamless the touch screen buttons on the dash felt.
Directly behind the wheel you get an actual picture of how the the car is moving on its axels in normal mode. Whereas each driving mode gives you a different pictorial that is simple and easy to take in. Essentially the same thing, but with different accent colours. Eco made has digital graphs of how much power you are saving. Sport mode shows speed in red, and it is no slouch. A gusty acceleration, but as soon as you take your foot off the gas, the Ioniq 6 immediately slows to a stop. This sensation does take some getting used to, as you can feel the motion in the pit of your stomach. And there is even a snow mode that gives you all wheel drive. This is something I haven’t seen in an EV before.
As for how it handles: Push button start, but to reverse or drive you look to the gearshift on the right side of the wheel. It has a similar shaft and twist style knob design than that of the lights on the left and the windshield wipers on the right, just above said gearshift. This positioning clears up some extra space on the centre console for the windows and door lock controls, for both driver and passenger; thus allowing ample room on the door side arm rest, to fully support your forearm.
When turning, the camera on the sides give you a blind spot view, broadcasted on to the dash. A clear in actual visual of the side that you are signalling to turn on. This and all the other cameras are in high resolution and extremely clear.
Between the way it rolls, the airy sound it makes, and the firm handling it has, it almost feels like you are gliding in the Hyundai Ioniq, especially when it is lowered so low to the ground in a hover.
The range is pretty decent at over 480km, which is more than enough for a week’s worth of regular commuting. However, a great deal of my job involves driving around the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, so it was less convenient for me to use and the have to seek out a charging outlet. However, having said this, this is the same compliant I have with every EV. It just isn’t feasible for my lifestyle yet.
There are also modern conveniences like a wireless charging mat and usb port up front. And if looking for a C-charge, you have to look in the centre console compartment, under the cushioned rest.
And looking for more holding capacity? The open space under the centre console is not needed for the transmission, so this empty compartment makes for a great place for your belongings or purse.
If personally looking for an electric vehicle to own and have as my daily driver, this would be the one. The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 feels, drives, and looks like a sports car, and if not for the missing exhaust it wouldn’t be clear that it is one. A great light and green ride for the future.
