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World Car of the Year.
World Electric Vehicle of the Year.
World Design Car of the Year.
Pretty soon, Hyundai is going to need a bigger trophy cabinet.
And to think, these accolades have all been bestowed on one car - Hyundai’s new electric flagship, the Ioniq6.
That follows an identical feat by its stablemate, the Hyundai Ioniq5, which won the same three awards last year.
Ever heard of sharing, guys?.
The Ioniq nameplate has been a familiar sight in Hyundai franchises around the country for the better part of a decade. It was the company’s first model to be built, ground-up, to integrate different forms of propulsion.
Initially it was the company’s first hybrid model (just called the Ioniq) and, soon after, it became the Korean marque’s first EV (yep, it was an Ioniq, too).
But somewhere between the original Ioniq and the two most recent models, the naming conventions got a bit confused.
You might have thought, for instance, that this all-new Ionic6 might follow in the design footsteps of the earlier model, or at least those of its ultra-modern Ioniq5 sibling, right?
No dice.
In fact, it looks like neither - not the early hatch nor this new, sleek sedan. But Hyundai doesn’t seem too concerned. You see, the Ioniq 5 and 6 are selling head-to-head and cutting a swathe through the EV market. The company sells just about every car it imports.
Funny enough, the vehicle the Ioniq6 most resembles is another slinky electric-only machine - Tesla's Model 3 - which shapes as the Korean brand’s biggest rival.
But here’s a surprise. The Hyundai costs about the better part of $10,000 more than its American-based competitor (the Model 3 retails for $64,300) and also the Swedish-inspired Polestar 2 ($63,900 - or $68,400 with a long-range battery).
The Ioniq6 hits the market with three models and three prices.
The range starts with the Dynamiq, an entry-level version costing $74,000, about $2000 more than its Ionic5 buddy. The Dynamiq is the only one of the three models to use only 1 electric motor, driving the front wheels. That helps explain its modest performance - 168kW, 350Nm and a relaxed 0-100km/h sprint of 7.4 seconds.
Next up is the $83,500 Techniq, delivering 239kw and 605Nm from its dual electric motors. It will reach the speed limit in a racy 5.1 seconds - identical performance to the flagship Epiq model, tested here, which costs $88,000.
Yet, for all this fuss about numbers, there is probably one figure that is most impressive about this lithe, elegantly-designed machine - 614. That’s how many kilometres it will travel before needing to be recharged.
That gives the Ioniq6 an advantage over all but the most expensive models on the market - cutting “range anxiety” almost out of the equation while still delivering a vehicle that is competitively priced and impressively conceived, equipped and designed.
It’s also the most efficient EV on the market, which gives it all manner of street cred in this globally-aware, anti-emissions market segment. The tested car even came in a colour called digital green.
That’s not all. The trim on its swoopy, high-tech dashboard is made from strengthened sugar cane plant. The roof-lining is made from a bio-plastic fabric. And the floor mats are made from recycled fishing nets.
Its Korean makers go so far as to claim it is “a blueprint for the future”.
Certainly, it looks like it could be something from the future.
But it’s a huge step, in every sense, from the very first Korean cars in Australia in the 1970s.
The Ioniq6 is quite large - vaguely Commodore-sized which, coupled with its lack of transmission tunnel, creates an airy, light-filled cockpit with impressive passenger and cargo space.
Interestingly, while many EV builders have gotten carried away with acceleration numbers, Hyundai has been a little more conservative, or sensible, with this machine.
By no means is it the quickest EV but is hardly a slouch with its smooth, even progress which slightly disguises its performance.
While the Ioniq6 is striking and futuristic from the outside, the cabin is quite restrained - almost to the point of looking a bit Plain Jane.
Two 12.3-inch screens dominate the dash and central stack while a third screen generates the head-up display that helps keep you beneath the speed limit.
Not that it’s likely to happen anyway, thanks to the Ioniq’s very eager speed-sign recognition and warning features. The chime gets a little annoying after a while - the car even noticed exceeding the 20km/h limit past minor roadworks - and it was set off by violating the 10km/h limit in an underground carpark. Still, better safe than sorry.
Switch-gear is futuristic, with three control stalks including a funky-looking gearshifter on the steering column. Everything about the car, though, looks thoroughly modern and upmarket.
The console is uncluttered, although for reasons unknown the door locks, window buttons and seat heater switches are all in the centre console, where there’s also a wireless phone charger.
Luckily, the test vehicle didn’t feature the digital wing mirrors on the Ioniq’s options list.
The jury is still out on this tech, which has been used before in a Genesis (stablemate of the Hyundai) and before that in an Audi.
But in terms of driving comfort, refinement and dynamics this car ranks in the top echelon.
The external door handles pop out when the key is within proximity and withdraw flush once passengers are all in. As does the car’s boot.
Which is a good thing. You’ll need somewhere to put all of those trophies.
HYUNDAI IONIQ6
HOW BIG:
Impressively so. It feels bigger and more roomy than its Ioniq5 stablemate.
HOW FAST:
The twin-motor configuration delivers a brisk 0-100km/h just over 5 seconds.
HOW THIRSTY:
With 614 of electric range, the car virtually eliminates range anxiety.
HOW MUCH:
Ioniq6 prices start from $74,000 and the more powerful Epiq tops the range at $88,000,