EUR Car Review: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SEL

*MSRP: $51,600

As our country scrambles to react to the climate crisis, soaring gas prices, and the deleterious effects of our current outdated infrastructure, car companies are competing to create some of the most innovative vehicles of our time while simultaneously transforming the way we think about travel. Tesla set the stage years ago, creating the first all-electric consumer vehicles on the market. But now, several companies are surpassing the brand with super stylish vehicles with supreme functionality and fun.

Hyundai recently released the Ioniq 6, a sedan inspired by the spirit of 1930s aerodynamic designs, and I got the chance to test drive it. Before we get into the fun aspects of this car, I must say, I fell in love immediately and can’t wait for New York State to catch up with California with charging stations as common as gas stations across the region.

New York is on a strict timeline to reach a 40 percent decrease in carbon emissions by 2030, 85 percent by 2050. This means the whole state needs to act quickly to transition fossil fuel vehicle use to electric or alternative power. Electric vehicles are one of the quickest paths to reaching this goal, but New York’s infrastructure, like so many other states around the country, are very much behind in offering an abundance of electric charging stations along major driving routes. But with the state’s lofty goals, I’m crossing my fingers in hopes that we’ll be seeing this transition sooner than later.

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Let’s get back to the Ioniq.

Surprisingly Spacious!: No seriously, it was super surprising. On the test drive, we fit a 6’2” man in the driver’s seat comfortably, and a 5’11” man directly behind him in the passenger seat, and guess what, they both were equally comfortable and had leg room to spare. The Ioniq is a bit deceptive from the outside as it appears to offer space like a typical sedan. The Hyundai designers say their goal was to fit a living room inside of this car. I think they succeeded. This version of the Ioniq is all about efficiency in space, shaving off unnecessary parts and material. One thing I would have never thought about was the space a door can take up. The Ioniq “slim buttonless side doors” free up inches of valuable space for increased comfort. Further, in the middle back seat, that hump most cars have doesn’t exist, so that fifth passenger isn’t scrunched up, knees to chest. It’s a comfortable ride for everyone.

A bonus: The center console can function like a remote work space. Its width and length, along with the vehicle’s built-in wifi (subscription required) make working on the go super easy, fun and convenient. Also, the trunk space does not disappoint.

Let’s Talk About Battery Efficiency: I’ve heard from a lot of folks with fears and doubts about electric vehicles, fearful that they might run out of juice on the highway or something more terrifying. The Ioniq is packed with fabulous features for increased peace of mind. The Discharging Limit is a feature that allows drivers to set the limit of battery usage before going on zero. Say you’re at a cookout and you want to power the sound system, the electric stove and watch the game live on a monitor. You know you need at least 20 percent of your battery to get you home safely in traffic. So you’d set the limit to shut down all the fun before your battery reaches 20 percent, guaranteeing you’ll have enough power to get home. This takes away the range anxiety new e-drivers tend to have.

The Ioniq has a fabulous battery range, getting you anywhere from 240 to 361 miles to the full battery. All electric vehicles use power for everything you do in the car – from using the AC to powering the radio. Range will diminish with each feature being used. But the range is comparable to a lot of hybrid vehicles, without the high cost of gasoline.

Plus, with a quick charge, the battery reaches 80 percent in 18 minutes. And it features multidirectional charging, meaning you can feel free to charge other devices and cars with the battery.

*Tip: In cold weather, heating the seats and steering wheel, rather than turning on the heater will warm the cabin with less power.

The Look: The Ioniq 6 is a looker. Its design, like I mentioned before, is inspired by 1930s futuristic aerodynamics. Historically, designers sought out ways to make on-the-ground vehicles more efficient and to improve the blocky look of most cars of that time. Over the decades we’ve seen an array of looks in vehicles and somehow have ended up right back to the 30s. The Ioniq lends itself to a Jetson-like feel with spacecraft sounds (if you choose it – drivers can pick from a few choices in sound their car makes, as electric vehicles do not naturally make a sound audible to most people). Hyundai designers were seeking to make the best out of a full battery charge by improving wind resistance. The curves at the front and back help drivers cut through air and preserve their battery life. Plus, the Ioniq Spoiler looks really cool at night when lit up.

The look, feel and ride of this car is simply fun. I loved every moment getting to know this vehicle. It picks up speed very quickly, hits curves like a pro and allows so much customization that it feels like it was custom built for each driver. A quick note: The Ioniq comes in several trims, the SEL being the most popular for its 20-inch wheels (they’re hott!) and price point. The SE, which comes with 18-inch wheels, gets greater mileage, however. Still hesitant about committing to an electric vehicle? Hyundai offers Evolve+, a service that gives you a chance, for a flat monthly rate, to test out an electric vehicle from one to five months before buying.