The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 is what happens when an engineer falls in love with a wind tunnel. It’s a swoopy, low-slung EV sedan that trades SUV bulk for slipperiness, and the payoff is real: class-leading range, quiet refinement, and the sort of efficiency that makes Tesla’s accountants bite their pencils.
In a nutshell
Overview: What the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Is Really About
The IONIQ 6 arrived for 2023 and carries into 2024 as Hyundai’s streamliner-style EV sedan, a counterpoint to the blocky IONIQ 5 crossover. Built on the company’s E-GMP platform, it offers rear- or all-wheel drive, two battery sizes, and a cabin that’s more lounge than sports sedan. Range and refinement are the headlines. The SE Long Range RWD model delivers up to 361 miles of EPA-estimated range, one of the best numbers you’ll find in a non-luxury EV sedan.
For 2024, Hyundai mostly tweaks pricing and equipment. The SE Standard Range loses a few niceties like the 120V portable charging cable and heated front seats, but every IONIQ 6 still comes with a robust suite of safety tech, fast DC charging capability, over-the-air update support, and that distinctive aero-heavy silhouette.
Platform advantage
Trims, Batteries, and Key Specs
Hyundai keeps the IONIQ 6 lineup relatively simple. In the U.S., the 2024 model is offered in SE Standard Range, SE, SEL, and Limited trims, with two battery sizes and a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive depending on trim.
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Trims & Core Specs
Battery size, drivetrain, power, and EPA range by major configuration.
| Trim / Battery | Drive | Battery (kWh) | Power (hp) | EPA Range (mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE Standard Range (18” wheels) | RWD | 53 | 149 | 240 |
| SE Long Range (18” wheels) | RWD | 77.4 | 225 | 361 |
| SE Long Range (18” wheels) | AWD | 77.4 | 320 | 316 |
| SEL Long Range (20” wheels) | RWD | 77.4 | 225 | 305 |
| SEL Long Range (20” wheels) | AWD | 77.4 | 320 | 270 |
| Limited Long Range (20” wheels) | RWD | 77.4 | 225 | 305 |
| Limited Long Range (20” wheels) | AWD | 77.4 | 320 | 270 |
All figures are manufacturer or EPA estimates for 2024 U.S. models.
Wheel-size warning
Hyundai IONIQ 6: Key Numbers at a Glance
Range and Efficiency: Where the IONIQ 6 Shines
Hyundai didn’t build the IONIQ 6 to win drag races; they built it to slip through the air like a bar of soap. The coefficient of drag is around 0.22, and the car makes obsessive aero decisions, smooth underbody, tight panel gaps, careful tapering, purely in the service of range. The result is one of the most efficient EVs on sale.
- SE Long Range RWD: up to 361 miles of EPA range.
- SE Long Range AWD: about 316 miles.
- SEL/Limited Long Range RWD on 20s: about 305 miles.
- SEL/Limited Long Range AWD on 20s: about 270 miles.
- SE Standard Range: a still-usable 240 miles with the smaller battery.
Why it matters
You feel that efficiency in daily use. The car sips electrons in city driving, and even on the highway it’s noticeably less thirsty than many bulkier crossovers. For commuters doing 40–60 miles a day, you can easily run a couple of days between charges with the big battery, especially if you top off at home.
Best configuration for range
Charging: Ultra-Fast DC, Reasonable at Home
Charging is another IONIQ 6 party trick. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the car can take advantage of high-output public DC fast chargers in a way many competitors can’t. On a 350 kW station, Hyundai quotes about 10% to 80% in roughly 18 minutes, enough time for a restroom run and a coffee, not a full Netflix film.
DC Fast Charging (Road trips)
- Architecture: 800V system allows high charging speeds when the station supports it.
- Best-case session: 10% to 80% in ~18 minutes on a 350 kW charger.
- Planning tip: Aim to charge between 10–70% for faster sessions instead of going 0–100%.
Level 2 Home Charging
- Typical rate: around 7–11 kW depending on your home EVSE and circuit.
- Overnight reality: Long-range battery can recharge from low to full in about 7–9 hours.
- Best experience: A dedicated 240V Level 2 charger in your garage or driveway.
Don’t rely on the included cable
If you’re shopping used and planning to rely heavily on public networks, pay attention to how and where you’ll fast charge. The IONIQ 6 currently uses the CCS connector in the U.S. Many public DC stations support it, but reliability and speed vary by network and location. A growing number of EVs are switching to NACS (Tesla-style) ports, but CCS hardware and adapters should keep the IONIQ 6 viable for years.
How Recharged helps with charging
Interior, Comfort, and Practicality
Step inside the IONIQ 6 and you’re greeted by a calm, almost Scandinavian minimalism: dual 12.3-inch screens under a single glass pane, a thin steering wheel rim, and simple horizontal lines. It feels less like a spaceship and more like a well-designed living room you happen to steer.
Cabin Highlights and Tradeoffs
A cozy electric streamliner with a few packaging quirks.
Spacious Seating
The long wheelbase gives good legroom front and rear. Adults can comfortably sit behind adults, which isn’t always true in sleek sedans.
Low Roofline
The price of aero: the roof is low and sloping. Taller passengers may find rear headroom tight, especially under the optional sunroof.
Smallish Trunk
At about 11 cubic feet, the trunk is modest. The rear seats fold, but if you’re used to a hatchback or crossover, cargo space will feel limited.
Materials are generally excellent for the segment. Limited trims in particular feel properly premium, with soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting, and clean switchgear. Road and wind noise are low; the car is simply relaxing to spend time in, which suits its long-range persona.
Practicality snapshot
On-Road Character: Ride, Handling, and Noise
The IONIQ 6 drives like a car that’s quietly very good at its job. Steering is light but precise, body control is tidy, and the long wheelbase gives it a relaxed, unflustered gait at highway speeds. This isn’t an EV that tries to impress you with violent launches; it impresses by making 300 miles disappear without drama.
- RWD models feel balanced and composed, with smooth acceleration and predictable traction.
- AWD models add a second motor and real shove; figure mid-4-second 0–60 mph times, which feels plenty brisk in the real world.
- Ride quality is generally comfortable, but 20-inch wheel cars transmit more sharp impacts than SE models on 18s.
- The cabin is impressively quiet, with little motor whine and well-controlled wind noise despite the frameless-door design.
Daily-driving sweet spot
Safety, Driver Assistance, and Recalls
Hyundai’s recent EVs have been racking up crash-test accolades, and the IONIQ 6 is no exception. It has earned strong ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA in recent testing, and Hyundai’s SmartSense suite packs in the sort of tech that a decade ago would have worn a Mercedes badge and a five-figure option price.
Safety Tech and Ratings Highlights
What protects you when the aero streamliner meets reality.
Crash Test Performance
The IONIQ 6 has scored top marks in multiple crashworthiness categories, including IIHS testing and a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA for recent model years.
Its rigid E-GMP platform and generous crumple zones help manage crash forces effectively.
Standard Driver Assistance
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian detection
- Lane Keeping and Lane Following Assist
- Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (higher trims add camera views)
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
Charging-port recall note
If you’re shopping pre-owned, ask for recall completion paperwork and a full inspection of the charging hardware. At Recharged, every IONIQ 6 gets a comprehensive safety and charging-system check before it’s listed, so you’re not discovering these things in your driveway with the rain coming down sideways.
Ownership Costs and Buying Used
On paper, the 2024 IONIQ 6 is priced like a well-equipped midsize sedan, because that’s effectively what it is, but with EV running costs. Thanks to substantial price cuts Hyundai introduced for 2024, SE Standard Range models started just under $39,000 when new, with fully loaded Limited AWD cars cresting the low $50,000s. Depreciation has been real but not catastrophic, which is great news if you’re shopping used.
Day-to-Day Costs
- Electricity vs gas: Even in states with higher electricity prices, an efficient EV like the IONIQ 6 usually undercuts a comparable gas sedan on fuel cost.
- Maintenance: No oil changes, fewer moving parts, and regen braking that’s gentle on pads and rotors.
- Tires: Expect to pay more for EV-rated tires and to replace them more often, especially on 20-inch wheels.
Used-Market Appeal
- Early depreciation: The first owner eats the biggest drop, making 1–3-year-old examples compelling values.
- Battery health: Hyundai warranties the high-voltage battery for many years/miles, but actual pack health still varies by use.
- Recharged advantage: Our Recharged Score Report includes a battery-health assessment, fair-market pricing, and charging-history insight where available.
What to check on a used IONIQ 6
Hyundai IONIQ 6 vs. Model 3 and Other Rivals
No EV exists in a vacuum, and the IONIQ 6 lives in the same neighborhood as the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and a swarm of compact EV crossovers. The comparison is less about 0–60 times and more about how you like your daily life flavored.
IONIQ 6 vs Key Rivals
Where Hyundai’s streamliner wins and where it gives ground.
Versus Tesla Model 3
IONIQ 6 wins: Softer ride, more relaxed cabin, quicker DC charging in the real world on many stations, less fussy interface.
Model 3 wins: Denser Supercharger network (especially with NACS), stronger performance tuning, more established resale story.
Versus Compact EV SUVs
IONIQ 6 wins: Range and efficiency. It simply goes farther on a kWh than most taller crossovers.
SUVs win: Cargo space, rear headroom, and loading bulky items. If you’re hauling gear or kids constantly, a crossover might be easier.
Versus Other EV Sedans
Cars like the Polestar 2 and some legacy-brand sedans often match or beat the IONIQ 6 on badge prestige.
The Hyundai counters with better efficiency, more standard safety tech, and generally lower running costs.
The value play
Who the 2024 IONIQ 6 Is (and Isn’t) For
Is the IONIQ 6 a Good Fit for You?
You commute more than you haul
If your life skews toward commuting, highway trips, and city driving, not giant Costco runs, the IONIQ 6’s sedan body and superb range make a lot of sense.
You value comfort over theatrics
Acceleration is brisk, not brutal. The car feels tuned for calm and efficiency rather than constant drama. If that speaks to you, you’re its audience.
You can set up home charging
The ownership experience is dramatically better if you have access to a Level 2 charger at home or work. Relying on public Level 2 alone will get old fast.
You’re okay with a smaller trunk
If you regularly carry big dogs, mountain bikes, or moving boxes, a hatchback EV may still be smarter. Measure your real cargo needs honestly.
If this is your only family car…
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2024 IONIQ 6
Final Thoughts: Is the 2024 IONIQ 6 Worth It?
The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 is a rare thing in the EV world: a car that is content to be excellent rather than loud about it. It doesn’t chase eye-watering acceleration numbers or SUV proportions. Instead, it gives you genuine long-range capability, quietly sophisticated ride quality, strong safety scores, and an interior that feels like a place to exhale after your day, not another digital assault.
It’s not perfect. The trunk is small, rear headroom is compromised, and the SUV tide hasn’t gone out yet. But if you value efficiency, comfort, and understated design more than high seating positions and cargo cubes, the IONIQ 6 is one of the smartest electric sedans you can buy, especially as a lightly used example where the big depreciation hit is already in the rearview mirror.
If you’re considering a 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6, buying through Recharged means you’ll see transparent battery health data, a Recharged Score Report on every car, and EV-specific guidance on financing, trade-in, and nationwide delivery. In a segment full of hype, that kind of clarity is its own kind of luxury.
