2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
Cool sedans still exist, and Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 is Exhibit A. This all-electric four-door boasts striking, unconventional styling and a sleek, tech-forward interior. It also charges quickly and returns decent range. Key competitors to the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 include the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and BMW i4.
What’s New
The Ioniq 6 debuted for the 2023 model year and this year’s changes could be characterized as the electric sedan’s first midcycle refresh. Exterior design revisions include updated front and rear treatments with slimmer LED lighting (akin to the Sonata), as well as distinct looks for the sporty new N Line and upcoming N trims. Cabin changes consist partly of a redesigned steering wheel, upgraded door trim materials, revised center console layout, and larger climate control display.
What We Think
You won’t be blamed for thinking the outside of the Ioniq 6 looks a little like a squished futuristic VW Beetle. The sedan stands out, not only because of its appearance but also because it has so few direct competitors. It’s also one of the more compelling electric vehicles on the market.
The Ioniq 6 excels as an EV. Range is on the higher end of average, and its quick recharge rate and one-pedal driving help keep the electric Hyundai juiced. It’s also just a fun car to drive, delivering a smooth and quiet ride and commendable reflexes. Steering and braking are direct, but feedback through both is largely disappointing. We’re looking forward to seeing what the N Line and upcoming N performance model add to the Ioniq 6 driving experience. After a First Drive of a prototype of the latter model, we think it might be better than the excellent Ioniq 5 N, both as a sports car and as an EV.
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 isn’t perfect. It comes with a small trunk (because of the 6’s body shape), and if you get the base model, it unsurprisingly comes with a cabin that feels and looks cheaper. We’re fans of the Ioniq 6, though. It’s perfect for the EV shopper who wants many of the things that make the Ioniq 5 SUV great but in a different (and some would argue less practical, more charming) form factor.
Range, Charging, and Performance
The 2025 Ioniq 6 is offered in two battery capacities and drivetrain configurations; we expect minor improvements for 2026. The previous base model features a 53-kWh battery and single rear motor that makes 149 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Range for this variant is up to 240 miles, and plugged into an appropriate fast charger, these Ioniq 6s can charge at rates up to 175 kW. Launches to 60 mph should take roughly 7.0 seconds.
Midgrade models with the rear motor for 2025 make a more robust 225 hp and upgrade to a larger 77.4-kWh battery. Range improves with the bigger battery to 291 miles with 20-inch wheels and to 342 miles with 18-inch wheels. Maximum charging speed for trims with the larger battery is 239 kW. With this setup, the 6 can reach 60 mph in roughly 6.0 seconds.
The top Ioniq 6 comes with the larger battery and a dual-motor AWD system that makes 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. Range is estimated at 316 miles with 18-inch wheels and 270 miles on the 20-inch wheels. Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes about 4.4 seconds in our experience. Could the 2026 Ioniq 6 N Line offer more power than what was offered for 2025? We hope to find out soon.
Ioniq 6 N Line Debuts, N Variant Teased
With the reveal of the N Line model for this year, and the tease that a full-fledged performance N model is due for 2027, the Ioniq 6 is firmly in its sporty era. Both N models inherit some of the exterior design cues introduced on the RN22e Rolling Lab concept released in 2022. The N Line comes with front and rear bumpers that are different from the standard Ioniq 6, as well as a single thin stripe that runs along the rocker panels. Extensive use of black toward the rear of the body is also pinched from the RN22e.
The 6 N rides on the same E-GMP electric vehicle platform the production Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 use. This likely means Hyundai will use the larger 77.4-kWh battery and the 2026 Ioniq 6 will deliver quick charging rates. As Hyundai's teaser images and the prototype we drove illustrate, the N is lower, wider, and probably features stronger motors. The RN22e makes 576 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque combined from its front and rear electric motors, while the Ioniq 5 N makes as much as 641 hp and 568 lb-ft. Either would be rad in a 6 N. A dual-clutch torque-vectoring rear differential, upgraded brakes, and N Drift mode capability have been confirmed via the 6 N prototype.
Safety Ratings and Features
The Ioniq 6 is an IIHS 2025 Top Safety Pick+, the institute’s top distinction. The electric sedan was also awarded a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA last year, its highest honor. This year’s model should score similarly.
Standard driver assists include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and centering, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a driver focus monitor. A 360-degree and blind-spot view cameras are also available, as are rain-sensing wipers.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Compared to the Model 3, rear legroom is generous in the Ioniq 6. The Tesla provides more cargo capacity, however, and that includes the volume of a front trunk.
Legroom (front/rear)
- 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6: 42.3/39.2 inches
- 2025 Tesla Model 3: 42.7/34.5 inches
Cargo Space (frunk/trunk)
- 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6: na/11.6 cubic feet
- 2025 Tesla Model 3: 3.1/21.0 cubic feet
Technology
The base Ioniq 6 should come standard with a 12.3-inch driver screen and same-sized infotainment touchscreen. Android Audio and Apple CarPlay, a power driver’s seat, and rear HVAC vents are also included with every model. Upgrades include heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charger, Bose premium audio, head-up display, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
