The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6, with a price range of $42,715 to $53,715, has garnered significant recognition and success in its second year of production. It has already won numerous prestigious awards, including World Car of the Year, World Electric Car of the Year, and World Car Design of the Year. The vehicle is also performing well in the market, despite the Inflation Reduction Act impacting Hyundai/Kia electric vehicle sales by removing the $7,500 Federal Tax credit. Hyundai aims to regain its EV sales momentum by moving EV production to the new factory in Georgia.
What’s impressive is that the Hyundai IONIQ 6 continues to attract buyers and lessees, even without the $7,500 incentive. It competes with the Tesla Model 3, which benefits from the full tax rebate and starts at $41,630, while the IONIQ 6 starts at $42,715. However, it’s important to note that Tesla creatively presents its price by including tax incentives and fuel savings, giving the appearance of a lower price. Despite this, the IONIQ 6 remains close in price to the base Model 3.
Apart from pricing considerations, the Hyundai IONIQ 6 is an impressive vehicle for several reasons. First, it stands out as a non-SUV model, which is a significant risk for automakers in today’s market. Furthermore, the IONIQ 6 shares its platform with other Hyundai/Kia EVs, resulting in shared costs and lower revenue requirements. The exterior design of the IONIQ 6 is undeniably attractive, with cohesive elements such as the roofline arc and exterior lighting. It has even caught the attention of passersby, as several cars and pedestrians slowed down or stopped to admire it.
The IONIQ 6’s sleek profile contributes to its impressive aerodynamics, with a coefficient of drag of 0.22. This distinguishes it from SUVs and lends itself to better performance. The “pixel” theme seen in previous Hyundai electric vehicles continues in the IONIQ 6, visible in the front and rear lighting as well as several interior components. While the IONIQ 6 may have slightly less headroom than the Model 3, the difference is negligible. Overall, it offers superior dimensions in terms of legroom and shoulder room.
During a test with five fully grown adults, including individuals over 6 feet tall, everyone fit comfortably in the IONIQ 6. The quiet cabin and rapid acceleration were appreciated, as were the dual 12.3-inch screens providing various features and the high-quality interior materials and audio system from Bose.
In terms of range, the all-wheel-drive IONIQ 6 in Limited trim has an EPA-rated range of 270 miles, comparable to the base Model 3’s 272 miles. While Tesla tends to provide optimistic range estimates, Hyundai’s numbers are usually accurate or even slightly lower than real-world performance. The Model 3 offers double the cargo capacity compared to the IONIQ 6, with 22.9 cubic feet versus 11.7 cubic feet. Additionally, the Model 3 boasts quicker acceleration, with the ability to reach 60 mph in as little as 3.5 seconds compared to the IONIQ 6’s 4.3 seconds.
Nevertheless, the IONIQ 6 excels in providing a balanced ride quality and confident handling. It features steering wheel paddles that allow drivers to adjust regenerative braking on the go, enhancing energy recapture and overall range. The IONIQ 6’s traditional gauge cluster location and intuitive control layout are also preferred over the Model 3’s touchscreen-dependent system.
One crucial aspect to consider is the dealer network. Buying and servicing an IONIQ 6 is more convenient in all 50 states compared to the Tesla Model 3. Both vehicles offer over-the-air updates to reduce the need for dealer visits. Of course, the charging network is also vital, with Tesla currently leading the industry. However, if you have access to home charging, this might be less of a concern. For long-distance travel, Tesla’s charging network remains the superior option.
In the end, Tesla fanatics will remain loyal to the brand, while others will analyze both vehicles objectively to determine which best suits their budget and requirements. Tesla deserves credit for leading the way in the EV market, but Hyundai has caught up quickly in recent years and now offers a compelling alternative to the Model 3. Once the Georgia factory is operational and the IONIQ 6 qualifies for the $7,500 incentive during purchase, the competition will become even tighter.
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