I was talking to a friend of mine about electric vehicles, what’s out there right now, and what’s hitting the scene, and he asked me, “Is the IONIQ 6 the best EV on the market?” My immediate thought and reaction was to say, “No, it’s good, but it’s not the best EV out there.” And that’s true; in a world with things like the Pininfarina Battista, which can go from zero to 100 km/h in less than two seconds, and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, a Hyundai is not about to be the best EV on the market. Of course, you could buy a nice house for what that Porsche costs, and the Pininfarina is a supercar with a multi-million price tag.
After my initial response, I paused and thought about his question a bit more. Enthusiast drivers like us love a vehicle that was designed with the goal of truly wanting to be driven, the goal of building a vehicle that invites you in and rewards you every moment you’re behind the wheel. For most of us, Porsches and Pininfarinas are destined to be nothing but an idle daydream, cars designed to adorn the walls of teenagers’ bedrooms. But if you go out looking for a Hyundai IONIQ for sale, then you will find a vehicle that is actually accessible, with performance that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Truly Joyful Performance
For me, performance is the single most important thing when looking at a vehicle and seeing how well it holds up as an enthusiast model. I don’t know about you, but I don’t get enthusiastic about middling performance from a car or when a company introduces a flashy new ride and then burdens it with an underwhelming engine. As a brand, Hyundai is generally a solid choice when it comes to cars that are fun to drive, so it’s been interesting to see what it does as it moves forward with a new EV lineup. The IONIQ 5 certainly didn’t disappoint as an impressive SUV, and the all-new 2023 IONIQ 6 delivers more than I expected.
Canadians have two options when it comes to the battery and motor setup on the IONIQ 6, and while they’re both good, there’s a clear winner here that you’ll probably want to focus on. The standard option is the Preferred Long Range model, which features a single motor that delivers 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. This is the one to go with if maximum range is your top priority, as it can get an estimated 581 km from a full charge. However, it takes 6.2 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h. Sure, that’s going to feel like a glacial pace if you’re jumping off the line next to the aforementioned Pininfarina Battista, but it’s still faster than a Civic Si and feels quite fun to drive.
As I said, that was just the standard option, and there’s a second way you can go, which you’ll probably want to choose if you’re looking for a really good time in your car. The Preferred AWD Long Range model features a pair of motors for all-wheel drive performance and generates 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. One look is all it takes to see that’s far better performance than the standard model, though you do lose some range: this one is rated for 509 km from a full charge with 46 cm wheels or an estimated 435 km with the available 51 cm wheels. That being said, it can speed from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds, making it as fast as a Mustang GT.
See why I said this is the one you’re going to want if you’re looking for the best performance? Both models have a top speed of 185 km/h, which should be more than enough for any legal driving on the highway. With instant torque and sleek engineering overall, either model will ensure you have a blast when you hit the road, but the AWD version is simply superior in terms of power. Even with that bold performance, it still starts at $57,999 CAD and qualifies for a $5,000 CAD rebate, making it an amazing choice that’s fun to drive and something you can actually put in your driveway.
An Interior You Never Want to Leave
This might be a bit controversial, but I’m going to say it anyway: engines and performance aren’t everything in a great vehicle. Of course, you want enough power packed into your ride to push you back in your seat, but you also want that seat to be comfortable and a place you actually want to sit for a while when you’re going for a drive. Whether you’re getting through your daily commute or cruising on the weekend, you deserve a car that’s comfortable and inviting. Hyundai gets this, and you can see it clearly with the interior of the IONIQ 6.
For starters, let’s talk about those seats: the standard model comes with cloth seating featuring an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way power lumbar and heated seats up front. Going with the available AWD model gets you more options like leatherette seating, a Driver’s Integrated Memory System for the seat and mirror positions, and a nice eight-way power front-passenger seat. You can also get ventilated seats for added comfort, dual-colour speed-sensitive ambient lighting with 64 different colours available, and metal pedals to remind yourself that you’re in a vehicle with some serious power packed under the hood (I know it’s not “under the hood” in an EV like this, but you know what I mean).
In terms of tech inside, you’ll find a 31 cm infotainment display standard on every IONIQ 6 with numerous USB ports and wireless device charging. A six-speaker sound system is standard, with an available Bose premium eight-speaker audio system if you prefer a listening experience on the next level. Dual automatic temperature control is standard, along with a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with brake regen paddles. There’s also a 31 cm digital instrument cluster to go along with that infotainment screen, giving you a clear view of the information you need to keep an eye on.
So What Comes Next?
Considering how impressive the brand-spanking-new IONIQ 6 is, it might seem a bit presumptive or greedy to start looking ahead already, but I’m the sort who simply can’t help myself. Right now, the IONIQ 6 has two fantastic options, and the AWD model takes performance to a remarkable level that makes it incredibly fun to drive. Yet, Hyundai recently unveiled an N Series version of the IONIQ 5 SUV, which features a 640 hp dual-motor system that lets it go from zero to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. This represents the brand’s first go at a high-performance EV, and I can’t help but wonder what we’ll see in years to come.
Yes, I’m getting ahead of myself, but it’s really Hyundai’s fault for showcasing things like an N Series EV. While it still hasn’t reached dealers, the IONIQ 5 N is a sign of what Hyundai is working on and how it is approaching the shift to an EV-dominated lineup. It’s pretty easy to imagine the brand developing and releasing an IONIQ 6 N model in the next few years, which would be fantastic. In other words, while the IONIQ 6 might not necessarily be the best EV out there, it’s definitely one of the top options, and Hyundai is positioning it to stay on top for the foreseeable future.
