Photos & Text: Clifford Chow

SINGAPORE

While the Hyundai IONIQ 6 may not be entirely new to us, you’d probably be glad to know that if you were to buy one today, you could be getting yourself a “BTO”. Apart from their IONIQ 5-based Robotaxi, cars produced at their facility, located along Jurong West, are built solely for the Singapore market.

While we have reviewed their range-topping higher-powered AWD variant a year ago, the car here is the rear-drive 77kWh Prestige variant, which in my opinion, is really the sweet spot in-terms of range and performance. But this will set you back an additional $27k over the Category A 53kWh (same trim) car.

The IONIQ 6’s exterior is purpose-built, to deliver a slippery 0.21Cd, which is the lowest in their entire vehicle line-up. But while it does often draw the random gawk from passers-by, I am quite the fan of how the Korean fastback looks. The front-end is probably as simple as it gets, but at the rear, it brandishes a pair of wings, almost to the extent of being vulgar. But if you are a true classic car nut, you might be able to spot a little bit of air-cooled Porsche 911, and SAAB 99 Turbo between the lines. Perhaps if I do have one gripe here, those 18-inch alloys are not my cup of tea.

But while the exterior may be polarising, the IONIQ 6’s interior comes across as sensible, and does not depart too far from its IONIQ 5 sibling. It has the same two-spoke steering wheel, with the morse code “H” in the middle, and twin 12.3-inch screens on an upright panel. I like that Hyundai stuck to retaining a good scatter of physical menu buttons, to complement the infotainment unit; unlike some brands who bury their functions within the user interface. Unfortunately, for those who like connecting their phones to the car, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are not available.

The IONIQ 6’s overall interior material quality here is actually very good, and I dare say that the Hyundai comes out tops, when placed against the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal. Perhaps, I do have one issue, which is the placement of the drive selector. While it is in the same position as the one in the IONIQ 5, it does seem to get in the way of your knee, due to how you would sit in the lower car.

As with a common theme with Hyundai, higher-specced cars do get the bells and whistles. So, in this IONIQ 6, all the seats are coated with leather, while the front ones are powered and ventilated. At the rear, passengers do get a generous dose of leg space, though I feel that the floor is too shallow – a common issue with lower EVs, since that battery needs to go somewhere.

Like the AWD car I drove a while ago, this Long Range RWD variant boasts a well-insulated cabin, which easily trumps the more expensive premium Polestar 2 hands down, while on the go. At 350Nm, torque may be identical to the Category A Standard Range variant, but over here, the 77kWh car produces 51kW more, bringing power up to 168kW (225hp). Therefore, it is quicker to 100km/h at 7.4 seconds, versus the 9.4 seconds posted by the former. The main advantage is not about simply getting off-the-line the quickest, but where it matters, is in its ability to overtake vehicles more easily.

Hyundai have also ensured that handling for the IONIQ 6 is well-sorted, despite the weight of the battery. Also, the RWD car is a little more fun to toss around, compared to the AWD variant, since only the rear does the driving work; and it is lighter, due to the lack of a motor up-front. It turns in with accuracy, and it does to a certain degree, inspire confidence. The steering though, could do with more feel.

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Another plus for me are the shift paddle-style regenerative braking adjusters behind the steering wheel, which allow you to toggle anything from zero regenerative braking, to one-foot driving mode, which Hyundai brands as ‘i-Pedal’. In most cases, I drive with the brake-regen turned-off, as it brings out the best in smoothness. While under heavier rush hour traffic, a simple pull of the “downshift” paddle provides more regenerative braking, keeping you more in-sync with start-stop traffic.

Safety is high up on the IONIQ 6’s design brief, and this includes Forward Collision – Avoidance Assist (FCA) which alerts and attempts to brake the car. For the Prestige trim upward, this includes Avoidance Steering Assist, which can help steer the car out of a path of an impending collision. Among other features, this variant is also equipped with Blindspot View Monitor (BVM), which aids in lane switches, by providing you with a view of what is immediately to the side and back of the vehicle, by projecting the feed onto the instrument panel.

But perhaps, I do have a few complaints, but none are deal-breakers. First-off, the six-speaker audio system does pale by-far, in comparison to the BOSE system found in the Inspiration variant. It also has a wide turn circle, which would mean more adjustments in tight quarters; and lastly, it does fit a little too snugly in some of our generally tight parking spaces. 

Of-course, for the value-conscious, the car to buy would be the Category A Prestige trim variant, but I can easily tell you that you will want the 77kWh variant, since it simply does more… better.

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