By Ian Strachan.
Of all the fully electric cars I’ve tested over the past year or so – and there’ve been a few – Hyundai’s IONIQ 6 is unquestionably the prettiest.
The multi-award-winning IONIQ 6 is a real head-turner. It has a smooth and streamlined design with a sloping back and rounded edges, giving it a look which evokes memories of 20th century touring cars, while still being firmly in the 21st century.
As well as its good looks, the IONIQ 6 has other attractions too. It’s packed with technology and safety aids and has a range of more than 300 miles, providing you’re light-footed and don’t get tempted to put the heater on!
It also has impressive power. The all-wheel-drive Ultimate spec that I tested develops 325PS. If you take full advantage of this power there will, of course, be a range penalty. Even so, you’ll still get sufficient range for most journeys and this car has fast charging times, despite having dual motors powering all four wheels.
The IONIQ 6 is a good looker from all angles. The body-coloured door handles sit flush with the body, only projecting when the car is unlocked. The side view is enhanced with impressive 20-inch alloys and black side body mouldings, and a rear spoiler with integrated brake lights completes the look.
The interior is modern and well laid out with a huge amount of storage space. Even the central armrest has a large storage space beneath it. You get comfortable, leather-faced seats, a leather-trimmed multifunction steering wheel and ambient lighting.
Specification on the technology-laden IONIQ 6 is excellent, with dual-zone air conditioning, heated seats and steering wheel, 12.3-inch colour touch-screen navigation and media system with BOSE Premium seven-speaker DAB radio and sound system plus Apple CarPlay, voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, head-up display and a range of safety technology including lane keeping aid, distance monitoring, cross traffic alert, speed limit assist, blind spot monitor and forward collision avoidance alert.
Your journey will be accompanied by a bewildering cacophony of beeps and bleeps telling you when the speed limit has changed, when there’s a speed camera coming up, and if you’re exceeding the speed. If these get annoying – and they may – you can turn them off.
My test car also came with cameras instead of wing mirrors, linked to screens inside the doors. It takes a bit of getting used to: instinctively you look outside the car to where your wing mirrors would be. Plus when it’s dark and wet the cameras steam up and the image is blurred. I’m not sure if this piece of clever technology actually adds value.
Specification on the Ultimate spec also includes electric seat and lumbar adjustment in the front, split folding rear seats, smart powered tailgate, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, daytime LED running lights, smart high beam, parking assist with surround view monitor and parking distance warning, privacy windows, all-round electric windows, smart cruise control and a wireless phone charging pad.
Handling on the all-wheel-drive IONIQ 6 is sure-footed and composed and the ride is quiet and comfortable. And for peace of mind you get Hyundai’s five year unlimited mileage warranty.
The IONIQ 6 is a good choice for anyone looking to buy a fully electric vehicle but doesn’t want to sacrifice style and performance for the virtue of environmental responsibility. the IONIQ 6 Ultimate 325PS all-wheel drive that I tested comes at £55,035, including those digital wing mirrors. The range starts at £47,040.
