Share Review

Related Articles

A red Tesla Roadster - now on display at Petersen Automotive Museum -cruising in the mountains surrounding Los Angeles.

Tesla Roadster At The Petersen

The front and right side of a gray Karma GS-6

Karma GS-6 - Big, Bold, Beauty

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited

exterior of the Hyundai Ioniq 6

A Futuristic EV Sedan That Blends Efficiency, Technology, and Style

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a very unique and polarizing look - some love it while others hate it. But, it's a nice ride either way.

By Joe Santos

Thu, May 1, 2025 03:40 AM PST

All images by the author.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the latest addition to the brand’s EV lineup and it’s set to make waves in the growing segment. It has a very distinctive design, which some could love or hate, but the Ioniq 6’s saving grace is its impressive driving range and cutting-edge technology. I spent a week with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and came away impressed with its driving dynamics and roster of features.

Don’t worry, its beauty goes beyond skin deep, so if you’re not smitten with the way it looks, it’s what is on the inside that counts. Under the hood, as well, as the Ioniq 6 produces a lot of power and it’s able to go the extra miles without giving you range anxiety.

Exterior Design: Streamlined Elegance

The Hyundai Ioniq 6’s looks are indeed polarizing, but considering so many people want futuristic cars, this is what we get. Hyundai refers to the Ioniq 6’s look as an “Electrified Streamliner,” which I think fits the car perfectly. It’s definitely streamlined and its elongated, wind-cheating body structure ensures that it get can get the best mileage possible. Additionally, its 20-inch wheels have an interesting blade design that is unlike any other wheel I have seen.

front headlights of the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6’s pixelated headlights add to its futuristic look.

In addition its weird wheels and body shape, the Ioniq 6 feature pixelated LED headlights, an integrated rear spoiler, and flush door handles that give it a unique identity. Love it or hate it, there’s no doubt that the Ioniq 6 turns heads whether it’s parked or driving down the road.

Interior: A Haven of Comfort and Technology

Sit inside the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and you’ll be greeted by an cabin that is inviting and futuristic. Everyone I gave a ride to in this car could not believe that it was a Hyundai. The car’s faux-leather seats felt plush and were pleasing to the eye, while its minimalistic dash layout made it feel modern and uncluttered. There was also plenty of space in the first row, even with all the power-adjustability of the seats, and the rear seat are was spacious as well.

interior in the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Hyundai Ioniq 6’s front seat area is comfortable and spacious. There are also plenty of storage spaces. 

Sitting in the back seat, there was enough head and legroom for my five-feet, eight-inch stature and the middle seat was accommodating as well. I actually wouldn’t mind sitting in the middle seat as there was enough head room to make it feel comfortable. One added plus are the relaxation seats, which allow the front passengers to recline fully, making the Ioniq’s cabin a comfortable place to spend time while it charges.

rear seats in the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The rear seat area is very accommodating for tall passengers. 

However, the cargo area is where some of the space runs out as it only measures 11.6 cubic feet. That is the downside of the car’s aerodynamic shape as the rear-end slope downward.

Performance and Range: Electric Excellence

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is available in a couple different configurations, including single-motor, rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor, all-wheel-drive options. My tester for the week was the latter and emitted 320 horsepower when the accelerator pedal hit the floor. Hyundai says this car can get up to 60 mph in only five seconds and I believe it.

When stomping on the accelerator from a stop, the car lurched forward with plenty of gusto, pushing everyone back in their seats. When accelerating, the car emitted a Star Trek-like noise that makes it sound like you’re going into warp speed. It’s fun at first, but gets a little old after a while. Regardless, the Ioniq 6 drove smoothly and swiftly, and is easy to drive despite its long body structure.

My main gripe with driving the Ioniq 6 is its funky shifter stalk, which protrudes from behind the steering wheel. To put the car in drive, you have tilt the stalk forward and then backward for reverse. It sounds intuitive, but it’s frustrating at first because it feel like it should be the opposite. Of course, I got used to it after a couple days, but it’s worth noting that there is a learning curve when it comes to shifting the car into the right gear.

infotainment screen in the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6 comes with two 12.3-inch screens.

When it comes to range, the Ioniq 6 is among the best out there. The long-range version is able to get up to 291 miles on a single charge with its 77.4-kWh battery pack. During my week of testing, I ran the car down to 48 percent battery charge, or around 138 miles and then charged it up using a DC fast charger to see how long it would take. About 42 minutes later, the car was charged up to 90 percent, or 272 miles, so I can say that it’s well worth going to a public charger if you need a charge. Otherwise, charging the car from 20 percent up to 80 should take around seven hours on a level two charger, according to Hyundai.

Technology and Features: Intelligent Innovation

When it comes to technology, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is loaded. My test car came equipped with an optional Bose premium audio system, dual 12.3-inch screens, dual auto climate controls, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. It also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, but it is not wireless, which is surprising given the car’s segment and price point.

rear exterior of the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The rear end of the Ioniq 6 is futuristic, but also weird.

The Ioniq also had a surround-view camera system, which makes parking it a breeze, as well as a Smart Park system that moves the car in and out of parking spaces with the key fob. I have only used this feature a few times to test it out and it works well, but it still seems a little useless to me.

Safety: The Ioniq 6 Is Loaded with Safety Tech

The Ioniq6 is also loaded with many safety features, including the usual driver-assist features. Those features include a forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, rear-cross traffic collision-avoidance assist, and a driver attention warning. One nifty feature I found were the four LED dots on the steering wheel, which light up to alert the driver when there is a car approaching when going in reverse. The steering also vibrates and there is an audible alert, which is great at getting your attention.

wheels on the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The 20-inch wheels add to the Ioniq 6’s odd-ball aesthetic.

Pricing and Availability

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is starts at around $45,000 for the base model, with fully loaded versions costing around $60,000. My Limited-trim tester was price at $56,330, which included the destination charge and a couple additional charges for the paint and floor mats. While this places it in the premium EV category, the Ioniq 6 justifies its price with its combination of range, performance, and features.

Final Thoughts: A Game-Changer in the EV Market

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is more than just a car; it’s a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles. Sure, it may look weird, but those polarizing looks are just the surface of the technology and innovation that lie beneath its sheet metal. That said, I think the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a worthy contender in the EV market and is a good alternative to the models from Tesla and other EV sedans like the Nissan Leaf and Toyota Mirai.

About The Author

Joe Santos's profile picture

Joe Santos

Joe Santos is an automotive journalist with over 10 years of professional writing and editing experience. His article topics range from full-length car reviews to car-buying advice. He even spent four years selling cars at a few different dealerships, so he may know a thing or two if you’re in the market for a new or used car.

You Might Also Like These Articles:

image of the front of a very red 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV

Chevy WOWs with 2024 Blazer EV

A green Meyers Manx Electric Dune-buggy on a dock with a lake in the background.

The Return of the Manx

front quarter via of the 2023 Hyundai Tucson

2022-23 Hyundai Tucson Limited PHEV AWD

The 2023 Audi Q4 E-tron exterior as seen from the front

2023 Audi Q4 50 E-Tron

image of a green electric vehicle

EV vs Hybrid vs Petrol