Driven 14,000 miles across all 48 states in merely 40 days, cruising in a Hyundai Ioniq 6, and engaging in visits at 12 different national parks, all without a single range hiccup.
Hyundai Ioniq 6: A Reliable Partner for Long-Distance Electric Travel
The Hyundai Ioniq 6, a mid-size fastback sedan, has proven to be a reliable companion for long-distance electric travel. This vehicle, built on the E-GMP platform, has impressed many with its performance and efficiency.
One Ioniq 6 owner reported a delivery of 51.84 kilowatt-hours in just 18 minutes, averaging 170 kilowatts across the charge. Such impressive power outputs, ranging from roughly 149 hp to 325 hp, depending on configuration, make the Ioniq 6 a formidable choice for those seeking speed and efficiency.
Last July, Reddit user "lightofhonor" completed a 40-day, 14,000-mile road trip with a Hyundai Ioniq 6. The vehicle maintained highway speeds near 75 mph during the trip, proving its merit not in brochures but in motion. The Ioniq 6 became a partner across 14,000 miles of American road.
The Ioniq 6 is available in rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor AWD formats. The AWD variant achieves 0-60 mph in approximately 5.1 seconds, offering agile performance.
Hyundai offers multiple trims for the Ioniq 6, including SE Standard-Range RWD, SE, SEL, Limited RWD (long-range), and Limited AWD, with different battery capacities, motor outputs, and price points. Battery options include about 53 kWh or 77.4 kWh.
The Ioniq 6's navigation could have managed everything on its own, but the family often adjusted its strategy to suit their schedule. The vehicle averaged 3.6 miles per kilowatt-hour during the trip.
The Ioniq 6's aerodynamic design is impressive, with an aerodynamic drag coefficient, Cd ≈ 0.21 (some sources state 0.22). This low coefficient contributes to the vehicle's efficiency during travel.
However, the ChargePoint charging network had issues with cables that disconnected if jostled, which could be a potential concern for long-distance travelers.
For long-haul trips with an Ioniq 6 EV, it is recommended to utilize the vehicle’s 800V ultra-fast DC charging capability. This can be done by planning charging stops at compatible ultra-fast public chargers to efficiently recharge from about 10% to 80% in roughly 18 minutes. Use the built-in EV Route Planner or apps like PlugShare to map out stations along your route, aiming to stop every 100-150 miles or every two to three hours to balance fast charging times and trip progress. Avoid charging beyond 80% at fast chargers to minimize slowdowns and total wait time. For daily or overnight charging, rely on home Level 2 (240V) charging to start trips fully charged.
In summary, for long-distance travel in a Hyundai Ioniq 6, rely on ultra-fast 800V DC stations for quick top-ups planned strategically along your route, complemented by full overnight home charges before and after driving days. This approach minimizes charging time and maximizes trip efficiency and battery health.
Notable features of the Ioniq 6 include the brand's updated stylized‐H logo and parametric pixel lighting. The vehicle was designed under the leadership of Hyundai's SangYup Lee, evolving from the "Prophecy" concept.
For those considering a long-distance electric vehicle journey, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is certainly worth considering, offering speed, efficiency, and reliability.
