Hyundai Ioniq 6 – Back to Basics

Hyundai Ioniq 6 53kWh Style – €45,895

The Ioniq 6 costs less than the Ioniq 5, but the base version pushed forward here isn’t the best car to make that point. The entry-level version of the Ioniq 6 has a battery pack of 53 kWh, while the Ioniq 5 has a minimum of 58 kWh. However, the Ioniq 6 is also slightly cheaper than its square brother, even with a comparable version, namely the one with 77.4 kWh.

The simplest Ioniq 6 may have a relatively modest battery pack, but that is not a big problem. Due to its good streamline and relatively low carriage, it still reaches a very usable 429 kilometers on that limited amount of power. With 151 against a minimum of 229 hp, this version is also considerably less powerful than the variant with a large battery, but here too it is probably very easy to live with.

In terms of equipment, there are three levels: Style, Connect and Lounge. The step to the Connect is quite big at €4,500, but there is a catch. The Connect has a heat pump, Vehicle-to-Load functionalities and battery preconditioning for fast charging as standard. With the Style, that comes in an option package of €1,495, which would reduce the difference between the two to €3,005. We would certainly take that option package, but 3 mille is of course still a nice amount.

A surprise awaits us with the theme ‘exterior’, because the very sparkling ‘Byte Blue’ is the only color for which Hyundai does not charge a penny extra. It is remarkable that this color is ‘free’, because we have not yet seen official press photos of it. Anyway: the economical Ioniq 6 copper can certainly be seen. The images drawn from the configurator are not accurate in one respect, because the Style is the only one of the three versions that does not have privacy glass. As far as we are concerned, that is precisely a buying argument, so we are still happy. There is more good news when we look at the lighting, because it is completely made up of LED lamps regardless of the version. That is a big difference with the Ioniq 5, which looks a bit shabby in basic form precisely because of its bulb turn signals.

In terms of wheels, there is very little to choose from for Ioniq 6 buyers. The Style and Connect are standard on the streamlined 18-inch wheels shown, and nothing can be changed. Is there no difference in appearance between the two? Anyway. We already mentioned the black windows, but also the window frame and – yes – the base of the exterior mirror are in high-gloss black on the more expensive Connect. You just have to know.

Hyundai Ionic 6

We are also ready very quickly in the interior. Black fabric upholstery is the only option here, as so often with basic versions. Admittedly, it still doesn’t look very basic here. The dashboard looks nice ‘finished’, partly due to the standard screen combination of twice 12.3 inches. Two-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and start button, paddle shifters for regenerative braking and an auto-dimming rear view mirror are all here.

The only thing that may really be missed here is heated seats. That is not there and cannot be chosen as an option, because there are simply no options apart from the heat pump package and a color mentioned. Style buyers will also have to do without electric seat adjustment. In the category ‘meaningless jokes’ we miss the four indication LEDs on the steering wheel. That typical Ioniq 6 gimmick is only on the Lounge, so Connect buyers also do without. What does the more expensive version offer? Privacy glass, but also useful things such as seat and steering wheel heating, that heat pump, a more advanced driver assistance and even a head-up display. It is therefore certainly worth the additional price, but we would certainly not be ashamed of a Style.