SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — What do you see once you take a look at the Hyundai Ioniq 6? Even when you understand what’s below the pores and skin, it doesn’t visually evoke simply one other iteration of the Ioniq 5, with which it shares the identical Hyundai group E-GMP electrical platform. Ditto the Kia EV6 or Genesis GV60. Should you’re significantly inclined to the powers of suggestion, Hyundai would have you ever affiliate it with airplanes, and its “electrical streamliner” description would possibly push you additional in that path. However, your eager advertising BS detector might need you rejecting these handy associations. The Ioniq 6 is, in any case, only a reskinned 5, proper? And that’s most likely sufficient motive to love it, regardless of its sedan type issue presumably providing much less utility than its crossover-disguised-as-a-hatchback sibling.

However with little to differentiate the Ioniq 5 and 6 on paper at first look, it’s nearly unsettling to see how intently they align in value. Are we actually simply selecting between physique model and design?

Pricing and configurations for the Ioniq 6 for probably the most half mirror these of the Ioniq 5.  The start line for the 6 is $42,715 (together with $1,115 in vacation spot) for the SE trim with the usual vary battery and rear-wheel drive. Its 53-kilowatt-hour battery is nice for an EPA-estimated 240 miles on a full cost, with its single motor producing 149 horsepower — barely lower than the bottom Ioniq 5’s 168 horsepower — and 258 pound-feet of torque.

Transferring up from there, every part else will get the longer-range battery with a capability of 77.4 kWh. No matter trim, the RWD model’s single motor offers 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The twin-motor and subsequently all-wheel-drive variations get a wholesome 320 complete horsepower and a powerful 446 pound-feet of torque.

The place it begins to get actually fascinating is within the estimated vary figures. The SE trim, with its 18-inch wheels and $46,615 beginning value, will go a bladder-bursting 361 miles on a single cost in RWD guise, whereas the $50,115 AWD model will do a nonetheless spectacular 316 miles. Transferring as much as the rear-drive SEL ($48,815) and Restricted ($53,715) ends in a decrease estimated 305 miles attributable to their 20-inch wheels, which is nearly similar to the vary of the Ioniq 5 (303 miles) with its 19-inch sneakers. The AWD variations of the SEL ($52,315) and line-topping Restricted ($57,215) get a nonetheless respectable 270 miles of vary, 3 miles greater than the Ioniq 5. Whatever the battery or drivetrain, the Ioniq 6 will nonetheless cost from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes utilizing a 350-kW DC quick charger — peak charging for the long-range battery is about 235 kW.

Wheel dimension accounts for a part of the Ioniq 6’s spectacular vary, as does the elevated effectivity of a brand new technology of silicon-carbide chips. However simply wanting on the automotive, it’s inconceivable to disregard the aerodynamics at play. Clearly, the Ioniq 6’s form is much sleeker than that of the 5. Along with its streamlined silhouette, starting with a deeply bowing nostril and terminating in a rear spoiler with winglet, the Ioniq 6 makes use of different aerodynamic methods to maintain it slippery. On the decrease entrance fascia are lively air flaps, with air curtains towards the bumper edges. A bit lip forward of the entrance wheels reduces the air hole, and aerodynamic wheel covers assist the air slide on by. On the edges simply forward of the rear bumper are “circulation separation traps” that assist handle the circulation of the air across the rear. In all, the Ioniq 6 achieves a powerful drag coefficient of 0.22, on par with the Porsche Taycan and barely behind the Tesla Mannequin S, Mercedes-Benz EQS and Lucid air.

It’s not what we have been pondering, however apparently sufficient individuals have commented that the Ioniq 6 evokes the Porsche 911 that Hyundai VP and head of the Hyundai Design Heart, Hak Soo Ha, addressed what he referred to as the “elephant within the room” in entrance of the media gathered in Scottsdale. “Once you … get on the Boeing airplane or Airbus airplane, you’re by no means asking, ‘Who copied who?’ As a result of air is air.” And that’s what led to the Ioniq 6’s form. On this vein, he stated the 6 was impressed by planes, a soccer and, within the automotive realm, the Stout Scarab. However, the fantastic attendants who would grant us entry into McDowell Mountain Park even famous the similarities to the Porsche.

When Ioniq 6 photographs have been launched, it was laborious to not surprise how its teardrop type would have an effect on its livability. Even seeing it in particular person, the query of inside area lingered till opening the rear door. “Holy s***,” was the primary utterance on the sight of the sheer quantity of area between the rear seat cushions and the entrance seatbacks. And that was with the entrance seats pushed fairly far rearward. Certainly, a tall particular person might greater than comfortably sit behind one other equally long-legged particular person. Nicely, so long as they aren’t lengthy within the torso or keen on sporting large hats. Headroom is briefly provide, particularly the nearer one sits to the dashboard.

We began this wet drive in a Restricted AWD. Should you’ve pushed the Ioniq 5, or the Kia EV6, you just about know what to anticipate when it comes to acceleration. It’s not neck-snapping fast, however a 5-second 0-60 dash is a lot to elicit joyous chuckles from occupants. Pushing the Ioniq 6 by corners, the sheer quantity of grip it shows is pleasant, even on the moist desert pavement. It feels extra glued to the highway than the tail-happy shenanigans we have been in a position to coax from the Ioniq 5. The suspension tuning is a deal with, too. It’s stiff sufficient to hint the undulations of the highway, however anesthetized to cracks, manhole covers and different imperfections. The 6’s character in movement fortunately displays its sporting exterior, and enhances its torque-rich powertrain.

Virtually as enjoyable as hustling the 6 down wet desert roads was catching up with others in our cohort, and watching the similar car in motion. There’s one thing about seeing that sculpted tail drop below acceleration, and the spray from the rear tires cyclone up then inward earlier than dispersing completely, realizing no matter motorist behinds us was witnessing the identical phenomenon.

Later, we traded our high trim for the longest-range model of the Ioniq 6, the SE RWD with the identical 77.4-kWh battery. From the outside, there’s not a lot to assist differentiate it from the AWD model aside from its 18-inch wheels. Inside, the SE swaps the Hello-Tex seating materials for a easy material. It additionally ditches the sunroof, making the headroom scenario barely much less cramped. The remainder of the inside regarded mainly similar — similar supplies, similar designs, similar structure, even the identical twin screens. It wasn’t till driving that the variations turned obvious, in powertrain, after all, but in addition in absent tech options just like the blind-spot digicam, auto windshield wipers and heated steering wheel.

Whereas not as fast because the extra highly effective AWD variations, the RWD remains to be no slouch, scooting to 60 mph in nearly 7 seconds. Even within the rain, it took a full foot to the ground in a nook to get the rear tires to slide free in any noticeable trend, and even then every part was reeled in with assuring alacrity. The reference to the highway isn’t fairly as razor sharp because the Restricted on its 20-inchers, which may be a deficiency in a venue just like the Angeles Crest Freeway or a boon on Michigan’s raveled infrastructure, however made little distinction within the Arizona desert. Take your decide.

Contemplating simply how a lot vary is out there, and the way little is sacrificed when it comes to consolation and comfort, it’s laborious to not favor the lower-cost SE RWD with the long-range battery. Among the larger trims’ options are certain to be missed, however getting an additional 56 miles out of the identical pack (or 46 miles in case you’re evaluating AWD trims) for $2,200 lower than the SEL and about $7,000 lower than the Restricted looks like a rattling whole lot.

On the finish of the drive, it was noticeable simply how clear the automotive’s paint remained, aside from the rear. All over the place else — the nostril, the doorways, the rear fenders — was squeegeed clear by the fixed blow-dry of the ambiance it plunged by. Simply the rear fascia under the ski-jump spoiler was speckled with dust-ringed water spots sprayed up from the highway. It felt particular.

So, rattling it, which do you decide if pressured to decide on: the Ioniq 5 or 6? Having pushed them each, it’s not a query that we even wish to entertain anymore, nevertheless it’s one which we’d really feel envious of somebody who needed to make it. It’s extra difficult than simply hatchback utility (Ioniq 5) vs. higher effectivity (Ioniq 6). There’s the wildly completely different styling to be thought-about, in addition to the truth that the 6 has a journey to match its sporting aesthetics. However in case you’re unburdened by the need to haul cumbersome cargo, and you want the sleek curves of the 6 to the blocky retrofuturism of the 5, your selection needs to be simple.

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