Fleet Management By Stephanie Wallcraft
The race toward electrification Test driving the Hyundai IONIQ 6 If you’re not already considering a transition to electric as a fleet manager, you’ll surely need to soon. The EV revolution is firmly underway, and a flurry of new vehicles is arriving that can meet a variety of needs and range demands. When sedans will fit the bill and you’re far enough down the road to have a vehicle charging plan, Hyundai’s IONIQ 6 is well worth a look. This is the second electric vehicle released by Hyundai since the standalone IONIQ nameplate launched. Unlike the boxy IONIQ 5 crossover that came before it, the IONIQ 6 is all sleek curves and elongated lines. Whether these features will appeal on the IONIQ 6 is entirely in the eye of the beholder. 28 DECEMBER 2023
SP Dec.indd 28
(Automotive writers like to call this type of styling “polarizing”). Here, though, it serves an important function. The IONIQ 6 has a ridiculously low drag coefficient of 0.22, which is one factor that contributes to it being the most efficient EV currently available in Canada. That efficiency means the IONIQ 6 can be the most affordable EV to keep charged, depending on the model you choose.
Configurations
Two different configurations are offered. The most efficient is the base model, the Preferred Long Range, which comes with a 77.4kWh battery and rear-wheel drive. (A standard-range version
with a 53kWh battery was initially offered in Canada but has since been dropped). This version has a single motor mounted at the rear axle producing 225hp and 258lbsft of torque. With the standard 18-inch wheels, its range is estimated at 581km, and it uses 14.9kWh to go 100km. Opting to upgrade to the Preferred Long Range AWD adds a second motor to the front axle and increases available power to 320hp and 446lbs-ft of torque. When equipped with 18-inch wheels, the estimated range is 509km, and driving for 100km takes 17.4kWh. This is the version we tested, and while we expect most Canadians will choose it for the all-wheel
drive factor, the truth is the AWD configuration offers more power than most drivers truly need for daily driving. If your fleet’s driving conditions make rear-wheel drive feasible, that model is worth serious consideration. For 2023, an Ultimate package is available with the Preferred Long Range AWD. For 2024, it’s offered on both models. It adds a long list of desirable-looking features such as a panoramic sunroof, a Bose premium audio system, leatherette seats, a driver’s seat memory function, and more. However, it also adds 20-inch wheels, which look nice but affect the efficiency of the IONIQ 6 dramatically. On the RWD version, range FM/SP SUPPLY PROFESSIONAL
2023-12-04 3:21 PM
