Ioniq 5

Make
Hyundai
Segment
SUV

Hyundai recently released the first range estimates for the upcoming Ioniq 6, which will go on sale in North America in 2023.

The South Korean brand publicized the upcoming Ioniq's energy efficiency data, including the estimated range and energy efficiency. A 2WD model with a long-range 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery and 18-inch tires can go 614 kilometers (almost 382 miles) between charges while consuming an average of 14.3 kW/100km. The model with the lowest range (429 km/267 miles) is also 2WD, but it uses the standard 53 kWh battery, consuming 13.9 kWh/100km. This makes it the most efficient offering.

The model most capable of long trips is the one we're most interested in, with its 382-mile range, which is much more than the average American needs daily, but the 267-mile range of the least efficient model is more than plenty too.

The only models that can go further than the big-battery Ioniq 6 on single charge retail for six figures, and the electric four-door will come in well below that. Having this much range also means less reliance on fast chargers and more charging at home, which is good for battery longevity.

But there's only one slight problem with the figures Hyundai provided. They're all based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) procedure. It's a much better testing process than before but still not as stringent as the EPA's procedure. The EPA, for example, tests a car and then deducts a blanket 10% to get a real-world figure.

Don't get us wrong. Hyundai's WLTP figures are impressive, but that 384-mile range claim will most likely dip when the car is introduced in the States. We can use Hyundai's brilliant and multi-award-winning Ioniq 5 as an example.

In the UK, Hyundai claims a range of 238 to 315 miles, depending on which model you choose. In the USA, the Ioniq 5's range is estimated to be between 220 to 303 miles. It's not a huge difference, but when you go EV, every mile counts.

Still, we're hugely excited about the Ioniq 6 coming to the USA, as its little brother is currently the best EV on sale in America. It's like owning a less powerful Tesla, but without the quality issues.

The RWD Ioniq 6 comes standard with 225 horsepower, while the dual-motor setup takes it up to 320 hp. Thanks to 800-volt charging, it can be charged from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes on 250+ kW charging infrastructure. The intelligent layout of the interior and the lack of a transmission tunnel leaves enough space for five fully-grown adults. Undoubtedly, the Ioniq 6 will shake up the segment as much as, if not more than the Ioniq 5.

It's such a pity Hyundai's models will no longer qualify for the $7,500 tax credit when the car arrives next year, but efforts are being made to improve the Inflation Reduction Act to better support the domestic construction of EVs like the Ioniq 6.