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Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs. Tesla Model 3: How Do They Stack Up?

White Tesla Model 3 White on a hilly road with trees in the background

Hyundai Ioniq 6 vs. Tesla Model 3: How Do They Stack Up?

Hyundai’s determination to not be left in the rear-view mirror by the EV craze has energized it to launch a new electric vehicle strategy.

Its CEO revealed the company is looking to win 7% of the worldwide EV market by 2030. In just 8 years, it expects to sell 1.87 million electric vehicles every year. The CEO’s March 2022 investor day presentation also highlighted how Hyundai has 17 new EVs in the development pipeline. This lineup includes 6 Genesis luxury models and 11 more standard vehicles.

Hyundai must challenge the world’s leading EV maker, Elon Musk’s Tesla, to achieve these hard-charging goals. Tesla has the first-mover advantage and fame of the company that spearheaded the EV revolution. However, Hyundai is building new, improved EVs like the Ioniq 6 in an effort to give equal function at affordable prices.

Here’s how the Ioniq 6 stacks up against the popular Tesla Model 3.

Ioniq 6 vs. Tesla Model 3: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Tesla Model 3Hyundai Ioniq 6
Date of Release20172023
ManufacturerTeslaHyundai
Range272 miles to 358 milesEstimated at 333 miles
Top Speed140 mph to 162 mph115 mph
0-605.8 seconds to 3.1 seconds8.8 seconds to 5.6 seconds
Charging Speed20 to 35 minutes18 minutes
MSRP$46,990$40,000
Cargo Space29.9 cubic feetTBD
Horsepower241Estimated at 225
Torque298 ft-lbsEstimated at 258 ft-lbs
Number of Seats55

The Ioniq 6 vs. Tesla Model 3: 5 Must-Know Facts

  • The Tesla Model 3 dominates in both top speed and 0-60 mph times.
  • The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a roomier interior with more back seat legroom.
  • The Ioniq 6’s combination of touchscreen and button controls may be more convenient for drivers.
  • The Model 3 is directly supported by the Tesla SuperCharger network.
  • The two vehicles are quite similar in range, price, and several other metrics.

Ioniq 6 vs. Tesla Model 3: What’s the Difference?

Engineers from the rival companies built both the Ioniq 6 and the Model 3 as affordable 4-door EV sedans seating 5 people. Both vehicles have a very similar slick, streamlined look appealing to modern motorists.

Hyundai even took a detour from the typical body style of the Ioniq lineup when it designed the Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 5 and the upcoming Ioniq 7 are both somewhat blockier-looking crossover SUVs. The Korean automaker made a direct Model 3 competitor in the Ioniq 6, whether or not it threw down the gauntlet intentionally.

Tesla-Model-3-Performance
Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 was created largely to go head-to-head with the Tesla Model 3 (pictured above).

Range and Charging

Buyers look closely at EV range, with a vehicle’s single-charge distance often being a crucial factor in a potential driver’s purchase decision.

Range is one of the Model 3’s strong suits, with the basic RWD model achieving an EPA estimated 272 miles. The Performance trim reaches 315 miles and the Long Range trim gets 358 miles on a full charge.

The Ioniq 6 brings a 0.21 drag coefficient to the table, slightly beating the Tesla Model 3’s 0.23 coefficient. Hyundai said at the Busan International Motor Show that the base RWD, single-motor Ioniq 6 with a 55-kWh battery pack might achieve 380 miles range. EPA estimated ranges are almost always considerably shorter. While there’s no set conversion, InsideEVs’ calculated 1.14 average ratio would give an approximate 333-mile EPA range to the Ioniq 6.

This closely matches the Model 3’s average range. Car and Driver guesses the higher-end AWD, dual-motor Ioniq 6 with a bigger 77.4-kWh battery pack might top 400 miles. A direct comparison will be easier once confirmed stats are available for the Ioniq 6. However, for now, it appears the Ioniq 6 and Model 3 are effectively tied neck-and-neck for range.

Charging

The Tesla Model 3 benefits from the well-developed and growing Tesla SuperCharger network strung along major U.S. routes.

The Model 3 charges to 80% in 20 to 35 minutes, depending on the specific trim. The Ioniq 6 may charge even faster, however, assuming a 350-kW DC fast charger is available. Its designers built it with 800-volt electrical architecture, enabling it to achieve 80% charge in 18 minutes. Level 1 and Level 2 charging times are much slower, with rough parity to Model 3 times.

At first glance, Hyundai’s lack of a USA charger network looks like a win for the Tesla Model 3. Its DC fast charging speeds don’t matter if most charging is done on Level 2 chargers or even Level 1 household current. However, Hyundai already builds its EVs to work with adapters to other charging platforms. Tesla’s planned late 2022 opening of its American SuperCharger network to all EVs will come shortly before the Ioniq 6 appears in U.S. showrooms.

Hyundai made the Ioniq 6 capable of vehicle-to-load or V2L output, too. The V2L plug allows the owner to plug in appliances, tools, and so on, and power them using the Ioniq’s battery. The EV’s control interface enables setting a battery charge limit at which the V2L power shuts off to prevent it from fully draining the battery.

Performance and Driving

While the Ioniq 6 is no slowcoach, the Model 3’s performance still outshines it going by currently available data.

The Model 3’s single-motor base trim develops 241 horsepower and 298 ft-lbs of torque. The most powerful model achieves 450 horsepower and 471 ft-lbs of torque. The Ioniq 6’s base RWD, single-motor trim is likely closer to the Ioniq 5’s 225 horses and 258 ft-lbs. The AWD dual-motor model cranks out 320 horsepower and 446 ft-lbs of torque.

The Model 3 is the clear winner in 0-60 mph times. Its base trim reaches 60 mph in 5.8 seconds; the Long Range hits it in 4.2 seconds, and the Performance in 3.1.

0-60 mph times for the Ioniq 6 are 8.8 seconds for the RWD model and 5.1 seconds for AWD. The Model 3 is much faster flat-out, with 140 to 162 mph top speeds versus the Ioniq’s 115 mph maximum.

Technology and Convenience

The Model 3’s Autopilot is a controversial feature of the Tesla EV, but a potential advantage for the Tesla EV. While not a self-driving car, the sedan can possibly help prevent accidents and reduce driver fatigue through partly automated control. Tesla claims that Autopilot prevents roughly 40 “unintended acceleration” accidents-–stomping on the accelerator rather than the brake and crashing–-daily.

Beyond AutoPilot, the Model 3’s and Ioniq’s driver assist features appear to be roughly on par. Pedestrian and blind spot warnings, lane keeping, and similar features are standard on both EV sedans. Support for Google Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard on the Ioniq 6 but not the Model 3.

The Ioniq 6 may outperform the Model 3 in comfort and convenience. While the Model 3 has a clean minimalist interior, the Ioniq 6 goes out of its way to make its interior both comfortable and interesting. Hyundai’s ambient lighting lets drivers choose between 64 different interior lighting colors. Interior lighting brightness is synchronized with speed, and drivers can choose to have sci-fi sounds piped into the interior while driving. The Ioniq’s exceptionally long wheelbase and flat floor provide interior space and rear-seat legroom, beating the Model 3’s somewhat confined rear seating row.

Beyond the bells and whistles, While the Model 3 routes almost all of the vehicle’s functions through touchscreen menus, the Ioniq 6 uses a mixture of touchscreen and button controls. Many drivers may find this interface faster, smoother, and more intuitive.

Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an ultra-sleek exterior and modern interior that even comes with customizable lighting.

Price

Tesla designed the Model 3 as its budget-friendly option in a lineup of sector-leading but fairly expensive EVs. Model 3 base price starts at $46,990 and can reach $62,990 for the top-line trim. Different websites provide different estimates for the Hyundai Ioniq 6’s price. It has been guesstimated that the car will go for $40,000 for the base trim and $50,000 for the performance model. Car and Driver predicts three trim levels selling at roughly $42,000, $48,000, and $52,000 respectively.

The Ioniq 6 may be slightly more affordable than the Model 3 when it becomes available sometime next year. At worst, Hyundai’s sedan will probably sell for approximately the same as Tesla’s. The two EVs are either tied for price or the Ioniq 6 offers slight savings.

Pros and Cons of the Hyundai Ioniq 6

ProsCons
Snazzy space-age interiorSlower 0-60 times
Charges to 80% in 18 minutesNo dedicated charger network
Supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay115 mph top speed
A mix of touchscreen and button controls for easy use
300+ mile range (possibly 400+ on some trims)
Spacious interior

Pros and Cons of the Tesla Model 3

ProsCons
Well-established, proven EV modelNo Android Auto or Apple CarPlay
3.1 second 0-60 time (top trim)Small rear seat
300+ mile range on top two trimsPossibly too minimalist controls
20 to 35 minute DC fast charging to 80%
Dedicated SuperCharger network
140 mph to 162 mph top speed

Ioniq 6 vs. Tesla Model 3: Which is Better?

When choosing which EV is better, it’s hard to argue with the Tesla Model 3’s proven track record. However, the Ioniq 5, while a crossover SUV rather than an aerodynamic sedan like the Ioniq 6, proves Hyundai’s EVs are also worthy market contenders. Range and charging are too close to call at this point. While the Ioniq might be slightly more affordable, prices are similar enough to likely prove moot.

The Tesla Model 3 is the clear winner in performance, blasting from 0-60 in a much shorter time at higher trim levels. It’s also far faster at peak speed. On the other hand, the Ioniq 6 appears to win with more smooth, intuitive controls, using a touchscreen while breaking some functions out to buttons. Its convenience features might also edge out the Tesla, and the rear seating row may be more spacious.

As a result, which one is better for you depends on what you’re looking for in an EV. Both are excellent choices for a modern EV sedan. The Model 3 is the performance winner while comfort and convenience are likely somewhat better in the Ioniq 6.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tesla Model 3 faster than the Hyundai Ioniq 6?

The Model 3’s 162 mph maximum speed far exceeds the Ioniq’s 115 mph top speed.

When will the Ioniq 6 be available?

Hyundai slated the Ioniq 6 to start production in late 2022, with purchase availability likely in the first half of 2023.

Can the Ioniq 6 use Tesla SuperChargers?

Assuming Tesla makes its SuperCharger network available to other EVs in late 2022 as promised, the Ioniq 6 should be able to use them at release.

Is the Model 3 or the Ioniq 6 longer range?

Exact EPA range estimates for the Ioniq 6 aren’t yet available, but the vehicles appear roughly equal in range. If the larger Ioniq battery pack offers 400+ miles range, as some speculate, the Ioniq will be longer-ranged.

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