Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 Tops Electric Vehicle Efficiency Rankings
Can it save up to $6,800 on fuel costs?
Hyundai and Kia’s flagship electric vehicles have been identified as the most fuel-efficient among the new 2024 models currently on sale in the U.S. market. Out of the top 10 rankings, models from Hyundai and Kia occupied eight spots, demonstrating the competitiveness of Korean electric vehicles. On March 3rd, the fuel economy ranking, which included Hyundai’s Ioniq series, Kona Electric, and Kia’s EV6, was announced on Fuel Economy, a fuel-saving information site jointly operated by the Department of Energy and the EPA. The unit of measurement is MPGe (mile per gallon equivalent), which represents the driving distance per gallon of gasoline.
Ioniq 6, with a record of 140 MPGe, can travel up to 361 miles when fully charged.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (18-inch wheel) model, which was ranked first, was found to have a combined fuel efficiency of 140 MPGe. This means it can travel 140 miles with about 1 gallon of gasoline. When converted to cost, it is estimated that by owning the Ioniq 6 Long Range for five years, you can save up to $6,000 (approximately 8 million KRW) on fuel costs.
The Ioniq 6 Long Range uses a rear-wheel drive system powered by an electric motor that delivers a maximum output of 225 horsepower and a peak torque of 35.7 kg/m. In addition to its decent power performance, it is equipped with a 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery, providing a driving range of 361 miles, which is the U.S. EPA standard, when fully charged. The starting price of the Ioniq 6 Long Range is set at a reasonable level, despite its excellent efficiency, at KRW 52.6 million.
The second position goes to the Lucid Air Pure with rear-wheel drive (19-inch wheels). Its combined fuel efficiency was slightly lower than the Ioniq 6 at 137 MPGe. However, despite its higher price tag of $78,900, it offers an impressive driving range of 409 miles when fully charged. It also boasts excellent power performance, delivering a maximum output of 430 horsepower and a peak torque of 56.1 kg/m through its 320 kW electric motor.
Its 0-60 mph acceleration is just 4.3 seconds. While its performance may be slightly lower than the dual-motor version, it is more than $5,000 cheaper than the front-wheel-drive model. It also offers a smooth driving sensation and stable cornering, providing a comfortable ride. In addition, Lucid’s DC fast-charging system allows for a maximum driving range of 150 miles with just 12 minutes of charging. A 34-inch curved glass cockpit display is also installed inside the car to enhance visibility.
The sporty i4 captures both efficiency and driving pleasure
The Ioniq 6 Standard RWD took third place, followed by the Lucid Air Pure (20-inch wheel) in fourth place, and the Ioniq 6 Long Range AWD in fifth place. The BMW i4 eDrive35 Gran Coupe was ranked sixth. Its combined MPGe value is 120. It is equipped with a rear-wheel-drive electric motor that delivers a maximum output of 281 horsepower and a peak torque of 40.8 kg/m, recording a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds.
The car is equipped with a 66 kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing a driving range of 299 miles on a single charge. It starts at $53,195, which could be seen as a downside. However, it offers the stable cornering, smooth driving sensation, and quick response typical of electric vehicles due to their low center of gravity. It provides a sporty driving experience that sets it apart from other electric vehicles. In addition, Kia’s EV6 Long Range and Standard RWD models also made it to seventh place. Hyundai’s Kona Electric Long Range ranked eighth, and the Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD model took the tenth spot.
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