With a 361-mile EPA estimated range, the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 is one of the market’s longest-range EVs.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6—the sleek sedan version of the Ioniq 5 we recently named our 2023 MotorTrend The long-range, rear-wheel drive SUV of the Year has attained an extraordinary EPA range estimate, topping out at 361 miles on a single charge with a full battery. The Lucid Air and any Tesla Model 3 configuration are both matched by the new EPA MPGe rating for the Ioniq 6, which is higher.
A Tesla Model 3 currently has a 356-mile maximum range. That falls just short of the new Ioniq 6 rating of 361 miles, but there’s a catch. The Model 3 achieves nearly as much while providing all-wheel drive (and an 82-kWh battery), whereas the Ioniq 6 travels farther with a rear-wheel drive system and a 77.4-kW battery pack.
The Ioniq 6 is now rated at 140 MPGe in the SE RWD Long Range configuration, while the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD is rated at 131 MPGe combined, according to the EPA’s website. The Ioniq achieves a drag coefficient of 0.22 with its U.S. mirrors, or 0.21 with the rear-view cameras sold in Korea. With a 0.23 drag coefficient, the Tesla Model 3 is just barely off.
Although impressive, the gap between the top range estimates for the Ioniq 6 and Model 3 is close enough that, if Tesla feels enough pressure to do so and stay competitive on paper, it could easily make adjustments and performance improvements via an over-the-air update. The Tesla, however, has a clear advantage if choosing all-wheel drive over rear-wheel drive for nearly the same range, so the automaker may not need to worry too much. It will simply depend on the cost, which Hyundai has not yet decided.
The SE RWD Long Range with 18-inch wheels achieves 361 miles of range and 140 MPGe; the SE AWD Long Range with 18-inch wheels achieves 316 miles and 121 MPGe; the SEL RWD with 20-inch wheels and the Limited RWD with 20-inch wheels both achieve 305 miles and 117 MPGe; and the SEL AWD and Limited AWD with 20-inchers both achieve 270 miles and 103 MPGe. Pick your poison.
Source: motortrend.com
