Starts at $37,500
FAST FACTS
MotorDonkey's proprietary vehicle data identifies every significant version of each model so that you can compare and decide. Ordered by price from low to high, here are the versions of the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 that you need to be aware of, along with our expert analysis and recommendations.
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The entry-level Ioniq 6 seems a bit more viable than its Ioniq 5 counterpart — you get 20 more miles of range with the Ioniq 6 Standard Range, for a total of 240 miles. Still, the allure of a lot more range and power would have us eyeing the Long Range spec.
It's clear from where we sit that the Ioniq 6 Long Range RWD with the standard 18-inch wheels — a.k.a the Ioniq 6 SE trim level — is the pick of this litter. Compared to the SE Standard Range base model, the Long Range RWD's larger battery pack does two excellent things: (1) It adds a whopping 121 miles of EPA-estimated driving range, and (2) it coaxes a lot more power out of the single rear-mounted motor, which results in a 0-60 sprint in the low 6-second range. Certain potentially desirable features (such as an upgraded version of Hyundai's adaptive cruise control) aren't available on the SE, but upgrading to the SEL or Limited means you're stuck with bigger wheels that take a big bite out of the range.
In trim-level terms, we're talking about either the Ioniq 6 SEL or the Ioniq 6 Limited here — those are the two trims that start out with the bigger battery, rear-wheel drive and the 20-inch wheels. You get more luxuries with the fancier trims, but you also lose a remarkable 56 miles of EPA-estimated range. To us, that's just not worth it, especially given that the SE with its 18-inch wheels covers most of the bases features-wise anyway.
Our favorite Ioniq 6 is the Long Range RWD with 18-inch wheels (a.k.a. SE Long Range RWD), but if we had to pick a runner-up, it's the Long Range AWD with 18s (SE Long Range AWD). Although the Long Range RWD is probably plenty quick for most folks, the dual-motor AWD powertrain is the real muscle in this family. Given that the closely related Ioniq 5 Long Range AWD does 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, we'd expect the Ioniq 6 equivalent to be at least that quick, if not quicker. At the same time, this Ioniq 6 variant still gives you a generous 316 miles of range, for which you can thank the modest 18-inch wheels. Sure, the RWD version has 45 more miles of range, but it's also significantly slower, and the extra power only costs $3,500. You can't go wrong either way.
The Long Range AWD with 20s (available in either SEL or Limited trim) is one of those EV propositions that just don't make sense. You can get the same dual-motor powertrain in SE trim with 18-inch wheels, save a few grand and enjoy 316 miles of range — or you can pay more to end up with the 20-inch wheels and 270 miles of range. Hey, the 20s look cool, don't get us wrong. But the rest of this equation doesn't add up.
Publisher and Donkey-in-Chief
Josh has been reviewing cars professionally since joining Edmunds.com fresh out of grad school in 2008, personally driving most new cars on the market every year since. He also served as the project manager for Edmunds' expert vehicle rankings from their inception in 2018, building the product out from the back end to the front end. Josh is a card-carrying member of the Motor Press Guild and a lifelong car nut who has tested, compared and critiqued a ridiculous number of cars in his career.
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