The EV segment is rich with battles for innovation, efficiency, style, power, and convenience, but one of the biggest fights raging is that of driving range. And there is now a new major player in the fight for mileage on a single charge — the Hyundai Ioniq 6. The ultra-aerodynamic sedan was recently rated by the Environmental Protection Agency, and its driving range figures across its lineup show that it is beating Tesla, once the overall leader in driving range, at delivering more miles on a single charge.
The Ioniq 6 Bests The Model 3 For Driving Range
The Ioniq 6’s EPA estimated range is a significant 361 miles for the rear-wheel drive, Long Range version with 18-inch wheels, and a total of 140 MPGe combined. The latter figure puts the Hyundai squarely up against the Lucid Air Pure AWD model with 19-inch wheels. It also bests the top range of the Model 3 — with which the Ioniq 6 will more closely compete — by three miles. Though the Ioniq 6 doesn’t have a particularly impressive lead over the Model 3 for peak range, it still holds a lead, and its top range is nearly 60 miles over its Ioniq 5 stablemate.
The Ioniq 6’s range is less eye-popping in standard range versions, but there, its lead over the Model 3 is increased. The base RWD Ioniq 6 has been rated for up to 305 miles while the RWD, base Model 3 is limited to 272 miles. The lowest ranked Ioniq 6 trims are the AWD SEL and Limited versions with 20-inch wheels with both offering 270 miles of range, still just slightly lower than that of the Model 3. The Ioniq 6’s impressive driving range isn’t much of a surprise given its focus on slipperiness through the air. With its low nose, active air flaps, wheel gap reducers, boattail-like rear, and other aerodynamic features, it has a drag coefficient of just 0.22, which puts it just below the Mercedes-Benz EQS for the production car record.
The Ioniq 6 Could Present A Model 3 Alternative
The Ioniq 6 is set to go on sale this spring. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it should align closely with that of the Model 3, even with recent price cuts by Tesla. The Hyundai is also slightly larger than the Tesla, and it will come with the option of a 53-kWh or 77.3-kWh battery. It will offer both 400- and 800-volt charging with Hyundai claiming it will charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes with a 350kW charger.
The top-tier model will produce 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque to run from 0-60 in 5.1 seconds, which is on par with the AWD Model 3 Long Range. Of course, Tesla offers the 446 horsepower Performance version for those wanting extra umph. Maybe we will see an Ioniq 6 N version down the road. Regardless, the Ioniq 6 will assuredly build on the success of the Ioniq 5, but it remains to be seen if its badge will be enough to attract buyers away from Tesla, no matter how good its specs may be.