2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai wants to be one of the top three EV makers in the world by 2030, and if that sounds like a lofty goal, cars like the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 under review here demonstrate that its ambitions should be taken seriously. Fresh from winning the 2023 World Car of the Year award, the Ioniq 6 is off to a flying start. It sits on the same E-GMP platform as its Ioniq 5 crossover sibling, but the 6 is a mid-size sedan with an unmistakable style derived from Hyundai's Prophecy concept car, bagging it the 2023 World Car Design of the Year award as well. With its $45k starting price, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 takes the fight to sedan rivals such as the ever-popular Tesla Model 3 and the brand-new Volkswagen ID. 7, undercutting premium rivals such as the BMW i4 and Polestar 2 on price. It's arguably the most progressive and forward-looking car of the lot, without alienating buyers with an absurd shape - a remarkable compromise indeed. Right now, it looks like the Ioniq 6 can't put a foot wrong, so let's see if the grand aspirations hold up under closer scrutiny.

The MSRP of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is $45,500 for the cheapest SE Long Range trim currently listed by Hyundai, with RWD, the 77.4-kWh battery, and 225 hp. Ticking the AWD box adds $3,500 to that price. The $47,700 asked for the base SEL nets you RWD, while $51,200 gets you the SEL AWD. The Limited costs $52,600 with RWD and $56,100 with AWD. The destination fee adds another $1,115 to these prices.

There is a base RWD SE Standard Range with 149 hp and a 53-kWh battery that will become the entry point to the range at just $41,600, but it is only due to become available in the summer of 2023 in limited quantities.

The Ioniq 6 is a pleasure to drive, feeling flat and planted around corners and providing enough steering heft so it doesn't feel like you're turning the wheels via radio linkage, albeit without much feel. It's accurate, though, and adds to the responsive feel of the car. It works well with the three levels of brake regeneration activated via the sporty steering paddles (the highest i-Pedal mode provides proper one-pedal driving). The power comes in a progressive and refined way, and it never jars or jolts. The base 149-hp trims trade speed for price, but you can opt for rapid 320-hp performance in the top trims. It's no sports car, of course, and it's not meant to be, but it is more engaging than you'd expect of a heavy-set EV, and the fact that this comes with no compromise in terms of refinement or ride quality is a welcome bonus.

The ride is well-controlled and absorbent, never getting crashy, even when the surface deteriorates, and it keeps extraneous noises where they belong - outside. You can turn up an electronically generated soundtrack if you want.

The Ioniq 6 is an EV that doesn't have to make up for poor range with other features to lure buyers away from a Tesla Model 3. It's the whole package deal and comes well-equipped, has truly stand-out styling, and gets more range out of its battery than the best Model 3. A lineup of powertrains is offered, and the features list is long, with many driver assists fitted as standard. It's even good to drive but remains quiet and refined, despite its ability to provide some fun behind the wheel. For once, our expectations aren't dashed by a one-trick pony, and besides the tight rear quarters and smallish trunk, there is very little wrong with the Ioniq 6, making it our favorite electric sedan in this class.

The base 149-hp SE is slow and has a small battery with a range of only 240 miles, while the rapid 320-hp AWD trims are getting expensive, so the sweet spot is in between, namely the 225-hp RWD setup. Luckily, this powertrain is available in all three trim levels, so take your pick, but we'd go for the base SE. Yes, it doesn't look as smart as the other trims on its smaller 18-inch wheels, and it misses out on the leather upholstery, but those are the only two SEL features we'll miss. More importantly, it is the most efficient trim with the longest range of 361 miles, so there won't be any range anxiety. You get to walk away with a well-equipped car and Tesla-beating range for less than $47k, destination included. What's not to like?