2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 now cheaper

Hyundai Australia has introduced a cheaper entry-level variant to an upgraded 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 line-up and rejigged the rest of the mid-size electric sedan range as the brand looks to boost sales and better target the top-selling Tesla Model 3 less than a year after the Korean EV's local launch in March.

Now priced from $65,500 before on-road costs, the updated IONIQ 6 range is a hefty $8500 more affordable than before and brings it closer to rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 (from $61,900) and BYD Seal (from $49,888).

Known simply as the IONIQ 6, the new entry grade joins the IONIQ 6 Dynamiq and Epiq variants for a three-pronged attack on the EV sedan market – but in the process it has seen the discontinuation of the short-lived Techniq variant.

The move to reposition the IONIQ 6 mimics a similar model reshuffle applied to the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric SUV in September – the two share the same 800V E-GMP electrical architecture – and comes just eight months after the IONIQ 6 went on sale.

The announcement also coincides with increased competition in the EV four-door market from electric car leaders Tesla and BYD.

The new entry-level variant of the sleek four-door comes with a single motor driving the rear wheels and the option of Standard or Extended Range battery packs.

The Standard Range model is priced from $65,500 plus on-road costs – a full $8500 cheaper than the most affordable IONIQ 6 available until now – and makes 111kW and 350Nm. Its 53kWh battery delivers a claimed 429km of WLTP range.

The Extended Range version of the same car gets a 77.4kWh battery for 614km of range. There’s also more grunt, with the single e-motor utilising the additional battery power to produce 168kW and 350Nm.

While those entry-level IONIQ 6 variants do without the vast spread of luxury kit of the Dynamiq and Epiq variants, there’s still plenty to get excited about.

That includes 18-inch alloy wheels, dual zone ventilation, smart key entry, powered tailgate, powered driver’s seat and wireless phone charging. But the seats are trimmed in cloth, there’s only a six-speaker sound system and the front passenger has to adjust their seat manually.

There are also a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch central touch-screen as well as Bluelink remote connectivity for monitoring or unlocking the car and providing over-the-air software updates.

Safety systems include auto braking, driver attention monitoring, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert and safe exit assist to warn of vehicles approaching from behind.

The Dynamiq that was previously the entry point to the IONIQ 6 range is now the mid-grade option but comes with the choice of single-motor rear-drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive set-ups for the first time.

The Dynamiq variants come exclusively with the larger 77.4kWh battery pack but the addition of standard 20-inch wheels with stickier Pirelli P Zero tyres reduces the WLTP range to 545km for the 168kW/350Nm single-motor variant ($77,500, which is $3500 more than before) and 519km for the 239kW/605Nm dual-motor model ($82,000).

Additional equipment over the basic IONIQ 6 includes leather, matrix LED intelligent headlights, heated front seats, rear tinted windows, powered front passenger seat, head-up display, alloy pedals and an eight-speaker Bose sound system. Matte paint can be optioned for $1000.

The flagship of the IONIQ 6 line-up remains the Epiq, although it too has come in for a tweak. Whereas previously it was only available in 239kW/605Nm dual-motor guise, it’s now available as a 168kW/350Nm single-motor rear-wheel drive; its range figures are identical to the Dynamiq, so 545km for the single-motor and 519km for the dual-motor.

A lavish smattering of gear includes a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, ventilation for the front seats, memory buttons for the driver’s seat and 'relaxation' front seats that allow for a snooze while the car is charging.

The digital side mirrors – which uses cameras instead of mirrors – that were previously standard are now being offered as a $3000 option, helping lower the price of entry.

Speaking of which, the Epiq single-motor is $81,500 before costs while the dual-motor is $85,500; that’s $2288 cheaper than before, but by the time you add the digital side mirrors it amounts to a small price rise. Matte paint is $1000.

The IONIQ 6 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in about 18 minutes for both the Standard Range and Extended batteries (the Extended range can charge at up to 230kW, the Standard Range less).

A 7.4kW home wallbox takes about 10 hours for a full charge for the Standard Range or 13 hours for the Extended Range.

The updated IONIQ 6 range provides a pre-emptive strike against the soon-to-arrive BYD Seal, which has set a new price standard for the class, selling from $49,888 before on-road costs.

It also better prepares the IONIQ 6 for the imminent arrival of the updated Tesla Model 3, which has long dominated the class and breathed new life into the sedan market.