The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has been on sale in Korea for a while now, but we still wondered what an Americanized version of the sleek EV sedan would look like and what it would bring to U.S. buyers. Hyundai used the 2022 L.A. Auto Show to glimpse what such a future would look like when the Ioniq 6 makes it to our shores.
Minimal Changes Define Sleek Ioniq 6 Design
At first glance, the Ioniq 6’s design changes look largely identical to its Korean market sibling. However, the U.S. government is still not receptive to advanced camera mirror technology, so our version replaces this system with two traditional mirror housings. This increases overall drag, but we hope that eventually, regulations will embrace technological progress and allow Hyundai and others to use camera mirror systems here in the U.S. for future models.
That said, the rest of the styling is carried over from the international model. The futuristic front fascia gives the Ioniq 6 a distinctive appearance that’s still aggressive in its own right. The side profile accents the sloping roof and slopes down to a unified lightbar with a tidy rear spoiler providing downforce to help keep the car planted to the ground. The Ioniq 6 also shares some of the more rudimentary essentials with the smaller Ioniq 5, with the car using the same battery pack and electrical architecture. That’s reflected in the trim ladder with the Standard Range rear-wheel drive model getting a single electric motor that makes 149 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. A 53 kWh battery pack provides the juice, but Hyundai hasn’t revealed what kind of range the model is capable of. Instead, the Korean auto giant chose to do this for the other models with the more powerful RWD model making a beefier 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque thanks in part to the bigger 77.4 kWh battery pack. Hyundai claims that this model gets 340 miles of range between charges, which is noticeably higher than the Ioniq 5.
The range-topping dual-motor equipped AWD model is the performance model and makes a combined 320 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai claims that this model can make the sprint to 60 mph in less than five seconds with the same 77.4 kWh battery pack being used. The beefed-up performance does come with a slight dip in range, with this model only getting 310 miles per charge. The shared electrical architecture also plays a role in mirroring charging times with Hyundai reps claiming that the 6 can go from 10 percent to 80 percent charged in 18 minutes. Hyundai is also using the opportunity to introduce over-the-air firmware update capability. Unlike traditional Over The Air (OTA) systems, this type of system is more advanced and allows Hyundai to update more aspects of the car. That includes throttle mapping for the accelerator pedal, adjusting other aspects of the driving experience, and even fix a recall, all without a technician ever physically touching the car.
Sleek Interior And New Navigation Software Aim To Make Ownership Easier
Slip inside the Ioniq 6, and you’ll find a cabin that also shares some of its core traits with the Ioniq 5. That includes a strong focus on minimalism, with Hyundai moving alot of functions and controls into the screen itself. The Ioniq 6’s platform also allowed Hyundai to give the space a completely flat floor, further enhancing comfort for occupants. We also like that Hyundai tweaked the navigation system to help owners find charging stations easier. Before, the system would display charging stations but not go beyond that. This time around, the Ioniq 6”s navigation system has a built-in route planner function that allows owners to plan and create a route that can get them to a charging station in good time.
Hyundai also wanted to improve vehicle storage, and an interesting way that they have done this is by removing the window switches from the door panels. These switches are then relocated to a “bridge console” in the center stack, allowing Hyundai designers to increase the size of the door pockets. These enlarged pockets allow owners to store bigger water bottles as well as some small electronics.
When Can I Buy One?
Hyundai revealed that the 2023 Ioniq 6 would be making its way to dealerships in spring, but buyers looking to pre-order one for themselves will have to act fast. The company is expecting the Ioniq 6 to be a strong seller, and the rapid 24 hrs it took for the First Edition to sell out in other markets could serve as a prelude to similar demand here in the U.S.
The Ioniq 6 will also be part of a broader plan for Hyundai, with the Korean car giant planning to release 15 more EVs by 2030. Buyers that purchase an Ioniq 6 will get two years of free 30-minute charging sessions through Electrify America’s network of charging stations. Hyundai is not ready to formally unveil pricing information just yet, but look for that bit of information to emerge closer to the 6’s official launch.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.