Hyundai introduces cheaper Ioniq 6

One of Australia’s favourite car makers has added a new variant to its electric car range – making it thousands cheaper than before.

Hyundai has added a cheaper version of its Ioniq 6 to the range. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

Hyundai has made its Ioniq 6 electric car cheaper.

The popular brand has added a new entry-level model to its Tesla Model 3 rivalling Ioniq 6 range.

The new variant is simply called Ioniq 6 and is priced at $65,500 (before on-road costs), which makes it $8500 less than the previous cheapest version.

It’s now $8500 cheaper to get into an Ioniq 6 than before. Picture: Supplied.

Despite the price cut the entry level Tesla Model 3 is still more than $3500 cheaper.

The base Ioniq 6 comes with a single rear-mounted electric motor that makes 111kW and 350Nm. This is paired with a 53kWh battery that delivers a 429km driving range.

Buyers can opt for an extended range version for an extra $6000 that ups the driving range to 614km thanks to a 77.4kWh battery. It also scores a more potent 168kW/350Nm rear-wheel drive motor.

The new Ioniq 6 model comes with plenty of standard equipment including 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth seats, electronically adjustable driver’s seat, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and digital driver’s display of the same size.

The base model comes with a smaller battery and less potent electric motor. Picture: Supplied.

There are plenty of active driver aids and safety equipment included as standard too.

Hyundai has made several other tweaks to the Ioniq 6 line-up.

All examples now come with battery conditioning that improves fast charging times in cold weather and a heat pump that warms the cabin more efficiently.

The mid-tier Dynamic and range-topping Epiq grades are now available in rear- and all-wheel drive. Hyundai has also deleted the Techniq grade from the line-up.

The two-wheel drive Dynamic costs $77,500 (before on-road costs) and the Epiq grade adds another $3500.

The Dynamic and Epiq are available with either a single or dual motor set-up. Picture: Supplied.

All-wheel drive versions cost $4500 more and bring a second electric motor that boosts total outputs to 239kW and 605Nm.

All Dynamic and Epiq versions come with a 77.4kWh battery that delivers a driving range of 545km in single-motor variants and 519km when equipped with dual motors.

Dynamic grades have 20-inch alloy wheels, leather appointed upholstery, heated front seats and an electronically adjustable passenger seat.

On the tech front the Dynamic has a head-up display that projects vital information such as travelling speed and safety warnings onto the windscreen in front of the driver. There is also an eight-speaker Bose stereo and alloy pedals.

The Epiq grade comes with all the trimmings. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

Epiq variants boost this further with a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats and memory functions on the driver’s seat.

Hyundai has deleted the standard digital side mirrors on the Epiq grade on customer feedback and made it an optional extra instead.