The Hyundai Ioniq 6, finally at the right price, Outshines the Tesla Model 3

Hyundai has reduced the price of its Ioniq 6 by 5,000 euros to make it eligible for the ecological bonus! A declaration of war on Tesla?

This discount applies to models deliverable before the end of the year. The prospect of losing the ecological bonus in 2024 has likely scared the Korean manufacturer, prompting it to quickly clear its stocks. Ultimately, a price reduction of 10,000 euros combined with the bonus makes Hyundai a more than credible rival.

€42,990 for the Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and €46,400 for the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Intuitive. The match has begun!

15 centimeters in length advantage for Hyundai separates the two models, but comparing them is anything but absurd as they target the same clientele converted to electric. While Tesla’s instantly recognizable stylistic signatures make the Model 3 a well-known and recognized model on the roads, Hyundai’s more atypical design might surprise. With a Mercedes CLE style, a Porsche 911 crushed at the ends, and a shark evading on the asphalt, it’s a UFO that leaves no one indifferent. If you want to stand out from the crowd, this is a perfect choice… just like the Model 3 at its launch!

Inside, Hyundai’s sloping tail may disadvantage taller passengers, but with its 4.85 meters in length, it offers enough space so that it is not a hindrance. The trunk is much more affected, with 400 liters compared to 540 for Tesla, which remains the absolute benchmark of the segment. While Tesla favors minimalism, Hyundai’s interior is more traditional but free of any frills. A two-spoke steering wheel, a large screen, and a few climate controls, and that’s it.

Fashion statement?

While Hyundai currently holds up reasonably well, once on the road, Tesla’s exceptional powertrain makes the difference. In Rear-Wheel Drive configuration, it is neither the fastest nor the most responsive, but it still manages a 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 201 km/h. Hyundai must settle for 7.5 seconds for the start-from-stop exercise and sees its top speed capped at 185 km/h. Honestly, the maximum speed is no longer, and indeed should no longer be, a decision criterion, but the one and a half seconds that separate the accelerations and the vast gap on the road for these electric cars with linear acceleration. Heavier by 200 kg, Hyundai is therefore a bit more lumbering, but among two cars weighing over a ton, it’s not particularly noticeable.

Remaining is the issue of range, and with 545 km in WLTP mixed cycle, the Ioniq 6 performs particularly well and keeps pace with Tesla’s announced 515 km. Equaling, or even slightly surpassing, Tesla in this area where it excels is truly an impressive achievement. Is it a virtue of Hyundai’s disruptive design? Quite possible.

In conclusion

With almost €4,000 more advantage, a more spacious interior, and better performance, the Tesla Model 3 will not be relegated by Hyundai. However, the latter might cause her some serious trouble because it offers a serious alternative for a clientele willing to pay a little more for its originality. And this clientele exists; it has the same profile as those who initially favored the Model 3!