Once we performed our recent reasonably priced EV comparison test pitting the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV, Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4 against each other, we also had a Hyundai Ioniq 6 available during testing and throughout the week. We didn’t include it on this comparison, as our Ioniq 6 tester got here in at a complete of $54,975, which was beyond our budget for this review considering a scarcity of an available tax credit. That’s $9,845 greater than the Tesla Model Y (after the federal tax credit), and $8,215 greater than the Kia Niro EV (which shouldn’t be eligible for the credit). It’s a shame we couldn’t get our hands on a lower trim of the Ioniq 6 — and even an Ioniq 5 — because there’s a robust likelihood it could have come away because the winner.
Specifically, we had the 2024 Ioniq 6 Limited AWD, which is the priciest version you possibly can buy. The Limited comes with the long-range battery, good for 305 miles on a charge in rear-wheel drive, or 270 miles with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. The identical RWD and AWD powertrains can be found within the lesser SE trim, at $43,600 or $47,100. Thanks partly to its smaller wheels, the SE is rated at 361 miles (RWD) or 316 miles (AWD). That bests the Tesla Model Y Long Range’s 320 miles with RWD (at $46,380) and 310 miles with AWD (at $49,380).
That’s a superb mileage value for the SE. And we’ve present in each previous drives of the Ioniq 6, in addition to our recent week with the automobile, that it’s no challenge to fulfill or beat the automobile’s range estimates. The elephant within the room, after all, is the available federal tax credit. The Model Y is eligible for the $7,500 point-of-purchase rebate. The Ioniq 6 shouldn’t be. Nor were the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV we tested. The Volkswagen ID.4 is, though.
The Ioniq 6 is not any performance slouch either, with the rear-drive model providing 225 horsepower and the dual-motor variant making 321 hp. That’s good for 0-60 in about 7 seconds (RWD) or 5.1 seconds (AWD). It’s not quite as quick because the currently available Model Y (6.5 seconds for RWD, 4.8 for AWD), nevertheless it’s close enough to make little difference. It must be noted, nevertheless, that the Model 3 Performance pares that all the way down to 3.5 seconds.
But where the Hyundai truly outshines the Tesla is in among the more basic refinement and intangible realms. For one thing, the Ioniq feels more polished. It’s quieter happening the road. It doesn’t suffer from the identical high-pitched electronic tone that fills the Tesla’s cabin upon acceleration. The Hyundai doesn’t exhibit any rattling or shaking, while the Tesla gives quite a lot of chatter over even the smallest imperfections. Materials within the Ioniq 6 SE aren’t particularly ingratiating — there’s less to complain about within the Limited — but there’s not less than an attempt at some thoughtful design with its funky pixel theme, and it’s pulled off quite well. Moreover, the user interface is way easier to navigate and use, and doesn’t force a learning curve onto the user. There are many features you possibly can control without having to make use of the touchscreen. There’s also an easily-read instrument panel right in front of you … imagine that.
That said, the Tesla Model Y might thoroughly have won this comparison test even with the Ioniq 6 included. It does the EV things well, even when much of the automobile feels a bit unfinished. Along with good range, competitive pricing and fun driving — and possibly it wins on those alone — there’s one big advantage Tesla has over the remainder of the EV industry: charging infrastructure. Tesla has an enormous head start on the remainder of the industry on the subject of numbers and locations. Tesla’s chargers are also easy to make use of and, most significantly, they have a tendency to really work. We noted in our comparison test that we had issues charging the opposite EVs with Electrify America, but had no issues with Tesla’s Superchargers. Hyundai Group’s E-GMP cars (just like the Ioniqs) are among the many fastest charging within the industry, but so are Tesla’s vehicles, and so they use a more reliable network with excellent integrated automobile software that makes using the network a painless experience. In the event you’re going to be charging away from home often, Tesla offers peace of mind when your battery starts getting low.
In the event you use our EV comparison test as a guide, it’d make your purchasing decision easier, but before you exit and buy that Tesla (or VW ID.4), don’t overlook the Hyundai Ioniq 6 … or the mechanically similar but more cargo-friendly Ioniq 5. One among those Korean EVs could potentially run away with our next comparo.
This Article First Appeared At www.autoblog.com
