Range-topping First Edition version of Hyundai’s electric saloon is available from 9 November starting from £54,995
- Class-leading range from bigger battery
- 53kWh and 77.4kWh battery versions
- First Edition model starts from £54,995
The limited-run First Edition variant of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is available to order from 9 November, with prices starting from £54,995 – around £2,500 less than a Tesla Model 3 Long Range. Not only does the new Hyundai saloon beat the American EV titan for price, but its 379-mile range is also class-leading – although, the First Edition has slightly less range at 320 miles, likely due to having larger alloy wheels and all-wheel-drive.
For now, the First Edition is the only version of the Ioniq 6 available, however others will go on sale in the coming months. The First Edition model comes highly equipped as standard, with features such as 20-inch matte black alloy wheels, leather and tartan cloth upholstery and a 360-degree camera. Cars specced in First Edition guise will only be available with the larger 77.4kWh battery, however a smaller 53kWh will be available in the future, with prices expected to start from around £43,000.
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 6: design and interior
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is based upon the South Korean brand’s ‘Prophecy’ concept car which made its debut a few years ago. Apart from its sloping roofline, another distinctive feature is the Ioniq 6’s long wheelbase – the distance between the wheels – which grants it lots of interior space. Large 18- or 20-inch alloy wheels can be specified and a set of optional ‘virtual’ door mirrors use cameras rather than glass – a feature seen on quite a few electric cars, including the Honda e and Audi e-tron.
Like the IUoniq 5, the Ioniq 6 has large LED lights at the front and rear, reminiscent of 8-bit graphics. There’s a small spoiler above the badge and the lower part of the rear bumper is black, which contrasts with the rest of the bodywork. While the car has often been shown in similar satin paintwork that’s already been seen on the Ioniq 5, plenty more colours will be available.
Inside, the Ioniq 6 shares some elements with the Ioniq 5, such as the steering wheel and some of the switchgear, but it’s a more cocooning cabin with a larger centre console that stretches up to the dashboard. It’s a more conventional look, but still features a pair of 12-inch screens – with one functioning as a touchscreen and the other sitting behind the steering wheel as a set of digital dials.
Eco-friendly materials are used inside, including the upholstery that is made from recycled plastics and the fibres from fishing nets. At the sides of the wide dashboard are the screens that display the view from the door mirror cameras, and the door panels feature bold ambient lighting with the choice of 64 colours and six themes. This brightness of the interior illumination for front occupants can also be set to adjust based on the car’s speed.
Electric motors and batteries
As previously mentioned, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will eventually be available with two battery sizes: 53kWh and 77.4kWh. The larger 77.4kWh unit has the potential of providing a 379-mile range, although this depends on wheel size and exact specification. Like the smaller Ioniq 5, all versions of Hyundai’s new electric saloon will come as standard with 350kW charging capability, allowing for a 10-80% top up in under 20 minutes when connected to a compatible fast charger. A free one-year subscription to the IONITY Premium package will be included for buyers to access the high-speed charging network.
Cars fitted with the dual-electric motor setup – such as the First Edition model – will produce 321bhp and should get from 0-62mph in around five seconds. While Hyundai is yet to detail the figures produced by the upcoming entry-level single-motor car, we expect it to mirror that of the mid-spec Ioniq 5; comprising a rear-mounted motor with 228bhp.
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Keyword: Hyundai Ioniq 6 First Edition is cheaper than a Tesla Model 3