2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Plus Review

As the competition in Malaysia's pure electric sedan market becomes increasingly segmented, E-Segment electric vehicles are becoming a new choice for mid-to-high-end family users and technology enthusiasts—among them, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Plus has attracted considerable attention since its launch with its unique aerodynamic design and balanced configuration. As the mid-range model of the Ioniq 6 series, its core selling points focus on "long wheelbase space," "standard L2-level driver assistance across all models," and "affordable pricing." In this test drive, we will focus on verifying its actual range, daily driving comfort, and whether the space truly meets the needs of families.

At first glance, the most intuitive feeling about the Ioniq 6 Plus is its "streamlined" design—not the rounded look of traditional sedans, but an angular feel optimized for aerodynamics. The car measures 4855mm in length, 1880mm in width, and only 1495mm in height. Its low stance combined with a fastback tail design makes the vehicle look sleeker than other electric cars in the same class. The front face adopts a closed grille with the Hyundai logo embedded in the center. The LED headlights on both sides are slender, and black trim is added to the front fog light area, giving it high recognition. The waistline on the side of the car stretches from the front fender to the taillights, paired with 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels (tire specification 225/55 R18), creating a clean and sharp visual effect. The through-type LED taillights at the rear are a design highlight, presenting a "pixelated" effect when lit, echoing the front of the car. The small spoiler at the edge of the trunk further enhances the sporty feel. Overall, the appearance of the Ioniq 6 Plus strikes a balance between the technological feel of electric vehicles and Hyundai's family design language, with a notable head-turning effect.

Sitting inside, the interior style leans towards a minimalist technology vibe. The dashboard adopts a symmetrical layout, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster integrated into one. The screens feature clear resolution and simple operational logic, making them quick to learn. The steering wheel is multifunctional, with the left side controlling the driver assistance system and the right side adjusting multimedia; it is leather-wrapped and feels comfortable to grip. Regarding materials, the dashboard and inner side of the door panels are covered with soft-touch materials, complemented by silver trim. Although it does not feature extensive leather wrapping, the texture lives up to its price tag of 249,880 MYR. When it comes to its features, the Ioniq 6 Plus is quite pragmatic: the front seats support electric adjustments (available for both driver and passenger), the heating function is not explicitly marked, but the seat padding is soft, and the enveloping feel is moderate. The rear row is equipped with independent air-conditioning vents and two USB ports to meet passenger needs. The HUD (Head-Up Display) comes as standard, showing speed, navigation, and driver assistance information, thus reducing the frequency of looking down at the screen. In terms of space, the 2950mm wheelbase is a significant advantage: after adjusting the front row to a comfortable sitting position, the rear row offers more than two fists of legroom. Due to the fastback design, headroom is slightly limited, but passengers up to 175cm tall can sit comfortably without their heads touching the roof. The trunk has a standard capacity of 401 liters, and the rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 configuration, expanding the capacity to 1163 liters, which can accommodate a baby stroller or large suitcases without any issue. Regarding storage space, the central armrest box and the storage compartments in the door panels are quite spacious, sufficient for daily items such as phones and water bottles.

Ioniq 6 Plus is equipped with a rear permanent magnet synchronous motor, with a maximum power of 151PS and a maximum torque of 350N·m, paired with a single-speed gearbox, and adopts rear-wheel drive. In actual driving, the power response is very direct—the motor can output maximum torque the moment the accelerator pedal is pressed, offering a quick start, and making it agile when following or overtaking in the city. Although the official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 8.8 seconds, which is not particularly fast, it is completely sufficient for daily use. Even at 100km/h on the highway, the power does not feel sluggish when accelerating again. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, the power output is gentle, suitable for city commuting; in Sport mode, the throttle sensitivity is significantly enhanced, making acceleration more aggressive.

As for the chassis, both the front and rear are equipped with multi-link independent suspensions, tuned for comfort. When going over speed bumps or uneven roads, the suspension filters out most of the bumps, and the body does not have noticeable bumps; during high-speed cornering, body roll is well-controlled. Despite a weight of 2410kg, the stability is excellent. The steering wheel has moderate weight, minimal slack, and precise steering, making daily driving very easy.

Range and charging are key concerns for electric vehicle users. The Ioniq 6 Plus has a battery capacity of 53kWh, with an official pure electric range of 429km. For this test drive, we mainly drove in equal parts in the city and on the highway, with the air conditioning set to 24°C throughout. In Eco mode, the actual range was approximately 380km, achieving about 88% of the rated range, which is considered average. In terms of charging, it takes 5.5 hours to charge from 10% to 80% in fast charging mode (Note: This data comes from the official source, actual charging times may vary depending on the charging station's power), while slow charging takes about 9 hours. For energy consumption, the city driving energy consumption is about 14kWh/100km, and the highway is around 16kWh/100km, meeting the expectations.

In terms of comfort, the noise control of the Ioniq 6 Plus is excellent: when driving in the city at speeds below 60km/h, the motor noise is almost inaudible; at highway speeds of 100km/h, wind and tire noise slightly increase, but it won't affect conversations. The seats offer good support, and the lumbar area doesn't feel sore even after long drives. The regenerative braking has three adjustable levels; at the highest level, releasing the accelerator provides significant drag, suitable for city single-pedal driving, while the lowest level is closer to the coasting experience of a gasoline car, catering to various driving habits.

Overall, the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Plus has prominent core advantages: the spaciousness brought by the long wheelbase, standard L2-level driver assistance systems across all variants (lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking, etc.), a simple and practical interior layout, and a price of 249,880 MYR—compared to its competitors in the same class (such as the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive version, priced at around 280,000 MYR), the Ioniq 6 Plus has more advantages in terms of configuration and space, offering better value for money.

This car is clearly suitable for certain groups of people: firstly, users who prioritize family practicality, as the spacious rear seats and trunk can meet the needs of daily travel or short trips; secondly, young people who like tech features, as the HUD, dual-connected screens, and driver assistance systems enhance the driving experience; thirdly, city commuters who do not have high requirements for range, as the actual range of 380km is sufficient for a week's use.

Overall, the Ioniq 6 Plus is not an electric car that pursues extreme performance, but rather a "well-balanced contender" — it strikes a good balance among space, features, range, and price, making it suitable for the daily use of most family users. If you are looking for a fully electric sedan priced around RM 250,000, well-equipped and spacious, the Ioniq 6 Plus is worth considering.