Hyundai wanted to disrupt the segment when it unveiled the Ioniq 6 electric sedan. Following on the heels of the Ioniq 5 SUV, the 6 was supposed to be a shot across the bow against rivals like the Tesla Model 3 and others. However, changing conditions in the EV market have given the Ioniq 6 additional challenges while its status as a sedan also causes it to be overshadowed by an increasing number of electrified SUV and CUV models.
We wanted to find out if the 2024 Ioniq 6 Limited still had what it takes to be a potent disruptor in the EV segment or if it has fallen to the wayside as the segment becomes hotly contested and is experiencing rapid evolution and growth.
Exterior styling carries over unchanged
Hyundai hasn’t made any major changes to the Ioniq 6 for 2024 and that means the exterior styling is still largely carried over from the outgoing model. The side profile does look awkward from some angles but the front end continues to be a balanced mixture of modernism and performance with the pixelated headlights projecting an aggressive look while the clean front end embraces simplicity. Hyundai also wanted to highlight all the green materials that it used on the car and while the interior gets the bulk of these green materials (more on that later) a few of the paint colors are special hues that were made out of recycled materials.
The rear styling of the Ioniq 6 is still the most awkward part of the car with the pixelated rear lightbar being complimented by a large rear spoiler and a small rear diffuser. Lower SE grade models get 18-inch wheels but move up to the SEL and above and they get replaced with stylish 20-inch wheels. The wheels also play a role in how much range owners can get with the smaller hoops helping increase range slightly while the heavier 20-inch hoops exact a range penalty for their improved styling. Limited models also focus on adding more equipment and as a result, it might be hard to distinguish them from
The look is still modern but with evolution and change rapidly becoming a major part of the EV lexicon, Hyundai’s cautious approach to the Ioniq 6’s updates might come back to bite it in the long haul especially in the face of rivals with many of them receiving several updates since the car was first released.
Comfortable interior continues to be strong suit
Slip inside the Ioniq 6 and you’ll find that not much has changed in here either. The cabin is still crisp and modern while also benefitting from extensive use of recycled materials. Like the smaller Ioniq 5, the 6 gets two matching 12.3-inch screens with these screens being responsible for the digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system. The infotainment system is crisp and easy to use and while it doesn’t have as many gimmicks as similar systems from Tesla, consistency is important too, and the system’s presentation and fast loading speeds will please buyers transitioning over from an ICE-powered Hyundai model.
The second row benefits from the flat floor with this floor allowing passengers to experience plenty of leg and footroom. The sloping roofline does impose a slight penalty on headroom for taller passengers but Hyundai engineers made sure that they won’t hear much of the outside world thanks to several layers of sound-deadening material which helps keep the cabin quiet even at freeway speeds. It also doesn’t hurt either that the trunk has a decent amount of space too which is great for hauling groceries and other items.
Ioniq 6 performance looks in a mirror
The Ioniq 6 shares its platform with the Ioniq 5 and this close association means that the sedan also gets that model’s performance hardware. Base models get a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces 149 hp and delivers 240 miles of range in the base SE Standard Range model. Buyers that move to its long-range counterpart will get that figure boosted up to 361 miles with this trim also being the first to introduce the optional 320 dual-motor setup that gets 316 miles of range in this trim which is thanks to a bigger battery pack.
Our range-topping Limited tester arrived with the dual-motor option and the bigger wheels helped range dip down to 270 miles of range. That’s still a usable amount of range for most buyers but it’s also lower than some other dual-motor powered EVs on the market today. The dual-motors help deliver crips performance but if you’re looking for maximum range and are also looking to save some money we actually recommend sticking with the single motor models to not only provide extra cushioning in terms of overall miles, but also for your wallet too.
Is it still a rebel with a cause?
At the end of the day, the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is certainly a unique offering that is attempting to push Hyundai into a segment that has the potential for future growth. However, the Ioniq 6 also feels like it’s still missing the raw edge it needs to be noteworthy with younger buyers. The exterior styling is clean but lacks excitement and the interior is comfortable but it lacks some of the edgy technology that often defines newer Tesla models.
However, if you’re an older buyer who’s looking for something that can still deliver range and don’t mind sacrificing sharp looks and gimmicky gadgets for enhanced comfort and serenity we highly recommend putting the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq at the top of your list
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.