1 Hyundai EV Is More Efficient Than Its Pricier Tesla and Lucid Competition
Times have changed, and with them, priorities; automakers battle over fuel economy and how to make the most efficient electric car. just as brands used to bully each other over horsepower. However, while Tesla once monopolized the market the way Michael Schumacher used to win seemingly without fail, competition breeds progress. Better yet, some of the most recent data suggests that an EV from an unlikely source might be more efficient than rivals and pricier competition: the Hyundai IONIQ 6. Watch out, Tesla Model 3; the Korean EV has you in its sights.
How did the Hyundai IONIQ 6 compare to other EV models?
According to the latest data from Recurrent of the most efficient electric cars, the 2023 and 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Long Range RWD took the No. 1 spot by a slim margin.
| Make and model | MPGe (city, highway, combined) | Energy per 100 miles (kWh) |
| Hyundai IONIQ 6 | 153 city, 137 highway, 140 combined | 24 kWh |
| Lucid Air | 141 city, 140 highway, 140 combined | 24 kWh |
| Tesla Model 3 | 134 city, 126 highway, 131 combined | 26 kWh |
| Tesla Model Y | 127 city, 117 highway, 122 combined | 28 kWh |
| Hyundai Kona | 134 city, 106 highway, 120 combined | 28 kWh |
The IONIQ 6 boasted the highest city efficiency by around 12 MPGe and a combined economy matching the much pricier Lucid Air Pure and Air Touring. However, in every category, the Ioniq 6 outperformed its closest rival in the Tesla lineup: the Model 3 Long Range. Moreover, the Hyundai EV required 2.0 fewer kWh of energy per 100 miles driven than the crowd-pleasing Model 3.
How is the Hyundai IONIQ 6 so efficient?
The 2023 and 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 incorporate a slippery, aerodynamic shape that several other battery electric vehicle (BEV) models neglect. Hyundai claims the model has a drag coefficient of 0.21, around 0.009 less than the Tesla Model 3.
Furthermore, the IONIQ 6 Long Range RWD boasts a confirmed Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) range of 382 miles, longer than its EPA estimate. However, in Car and Driver’s 75-mile testing, the best the 2023 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Long Range RWD managed was 260 miles, around 100 miles shy of its EPA estimate. So, while Recurrent’s evaluations put the Hyundai EV ahead of its competitors, not every test reflects that outcome.
Does the Hyundai EV have a greater range than everything else in Tesla and Lucid’s lineups?
While the EPA estimates put the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 ahead of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, several EVs promise greater range. For instance, the Lucid Air Grand Touring promises a mind-blowing 516 miles of single-charge range, though real-world results may differ.
What do you think of the Hyundai EV? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
