Hyundai Unveils the IONIQ 6 ‘Electric Streamliner', its Bold Sedan With a 380-Mile Range and 18-Minute Charging Time

author: Eric Walz   

The IONIQ 6 "electric streamliner" from Hyundai will enter production in Q3 2022.

Automaker Hyundai officially launched its IONIQ 6 sedan during an online event on Wednesday evening. The bold sedan, which was teased in a photo last month, is the second electric vehicle launched under Hyundai's electric sub-brand, following the IONIQ 5 SUV.

While SUVs and crossovers are widely popular and currently dominate the market, Hyundai decided to launch an electric sedan instead. However, the IONIQ 6 is not a typical looking sedan. 

The automaker designed the IONIQ 6 with a futuristic look and aerodynamic body. Hyundai refers to it as a "Streamliner" rather than a sedan. The unique design makes the IONIQ 6 one of the most of the most energy-efficient EVs in the market and sets the bar high for rival automakers in the growing EV space, including for segment leader Tesla.

"IONIQ 6 is the next ambitious step forward in Hyundai Motor's strategy to accelerate its transition to electrification and into a position as a global leader in EVs," said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Co. "The IONIQ 6 Electrified Streamliner will provide a unique and distinctive experience for drivers and passengers, optimized in every way to redefine electric mobility."

The IONIQ 6 equipped with the 77.4 kWh battery and 18-inch wheels can travel up to 610 km (380 miles) on a single charge, which is almost as much as Tesla's Flagship Model S with a range of 405 miles.

The INON 6 is available with a standard 53 kWh or long range 77.4 kWh battery. Its built on Hyundai's new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with an 800-V system architecture that delivers ultra-fast charging times from 10 to 80% in just 18 minutes with a 350-kW charger.

The E-GMP architecture supports both 400-V and 800-V charging infrastructures, with 800-V being the standard. It can also accommodate 400-V charging without the need for additional adapters.

The long-range IONIQ 6 with the 77.4-kWh battery can be mated with two electric motor layouts, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD). The optional dual motor setup for the IONIQ comes with all-wheel-drive with a combined power output of 239 kW and 605 Nm of torque. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds.

The IONIQ 6 also offers an extremely low energy consumption rate, which helps to extend range. The energy consumption of the IONIQ 6 equipped with the standard 53 kWh battery pack and 18-inch wheels is estimated to be under 14 kWh/100 km, according to WLTP. For comparison, Tesla's Long Range Model 3 offers an efficiency of 16 kWh/100 km. 

Like Hyundai other models, the IONIQ 6 is equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which offers comprehensive safety features. 

The Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) feature maintains a set distance and speed from the vehicle ahead when driving on a highway and helps to center the vehicle in the lane while driving, even through a curve. 

If another vehicle in an adjacent lane gets too close, the IONIQ 6 will gently move away. In addition, the IONIQ 6 can automatically change lanes when the driver operates the turn signal stalk.

For greater visibility when changing lanes manually, the IONIQ 6 offers cameras instead of side view mirrors in markets where they are permitted. The cameras are connected to an OLED display on the dash providing drivers with a much better view of their surroundings compared to traditional glass mirrors.

Another feature worth mentioning is Hyundai's Smart Cruise Control (SCC), which learns the individual style of driver in the background while its switched off. When SCC is activated, it will mimic the learned driving style. 

Other automated driving features include Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), which adjusts vehicle speed to match the speed limit, and High Beam Assist (HBA), which switches the high beam lights on and off as vehicles approach from the opposite direction.

IONIQ 6 alsos comes with Driver Attention Warning (DAW). It uses a camera to analyze the driver's attention and issues warning messages when necessary. It provides a warning when it detects driver inattentiveness and can even recommend a rest if needed.

The IONIQ 6 also offers automated parking, which can be frustrating for drivers when trying to maneuver in a tight parking space. The feature will automatically park the vehicle once a space is selected by the driver. Drivers can also exit the vehicle and park it remotely using the vehicle's smartphone app.

Along with its unique look, the IONIQ 6 features Dual Color Ambient Lighting, Speed Sync Lighting, EV Performance Tune-up and Electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD), which Hyundai says enhances the "electric mobility experience".

The Dual Color Ambient Lighting allows a driver to customize the look and feel of the interior cabin by selecting from a spectrum of 64 colors and six pre-selected themes. While the Speed Sync Lighting mode "adds emotion to the driving experience", according to Hyundai. The feature changes the brightness of the interior lighting in the front seats based on the vehicle's speed.

Drivers can customize the interior accent colors.

The IONIQ 6 driving experience can be further enhanced by the EV Performance Tune-up system, which allows drivers to customize the accelerator pedal sensitivity and steering feel for a more sport-oriented driving experience. Drivers can select from a variety of preset settings with just a few button clicks.

Like other EVs, the IONIQ 6 features a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and 12-inch digital cluster that houses advanced technologies for an enhanced user experience that can be customized. The IONIQ 6 also supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so drivers can access all of their favorite smartphone apps via the infotainment display.

The IONIQ 6 alos supports multiple Bluetooth connections, so two devices can be paired at the same time. For example, one device can be reserved for phone calls and another for music streaming or listening to an audiobook.

The infotainment system offers a wealth of vehicle information for the driver. It provides real-time travel radius mapping based on the current state of charge. When the IONIQ 6 battery gets low, the system's connected car services will search and plan the best route to a nearby charging station.

The IONIQ 6 is also Hyundai's first model to offer the Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates for various vehicle controllers. It allows drivers to upgrade the vehicle's controllers for autonomous driving, battery management. Drivers can also update maps and media software with an OTA update. 

Another useful feature of the IONIQ 6 is a "vehicle-to-load" (V2L) function that allows customers to charge any electrical devices in the event of a power outage. It can also power recreational accessories or tools for outdoor projects. 

V2L is enabled using an available accessory adaptor and goes into the outside charging port of the IONIQ 6. In addition to the outside power outlet, there is a second standard outlet located underneath the back row seat for charging laptops, phones and other electronics.

To match its sleek looks, Hyundai offers the IONIQ 6 in 12 exterior colors, including Gravity Gold Matte, Abyss Black Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Curated Silver Metallic, Nocturne Gray Metallic, Nocturne Gray Matte, Transmission Blue Pearl, Biophilic Blue Pearl, Ultimate Red Metallic, Digital Green Pearl, Digital Green Matte and Byte Blue. 

For the interior, there are four color choices available, Dark gray with light gray, Dark olive green with light gray, Black with pale brown and Black.

For segment leader Tesla, the new IONIQ 6 "Electric Streamliner" is poised to become a big rival to the Model 3. Although pricing has not been announced, the IONIQ 6 will certainly cost less than Tesla's Model 3, which could give Hyundai a big advantage in the market.

The IONIQ 6 is slated to go into production in the third quarter of 2022. The market launch schedule will be announced at a later date.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.