The Tesla brand has dominated the EV space over the last decade. However, as more established manufacturers move into EV production and new competitors enter the space, Tesla isn’t looking like the No. 1 EV producer. In fact, Tesla failed to produce anything innovative in 2023, which means the Car and Driver’s “2023 EV of the Year” award was up for the taking. Here’s a look at the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6, an EV sedan that took top honors from the Car and Driver competition. 

A look at Car and Driver’s top EV pick for 2023 

Facing some steep competition with the likes of the Genesis Electrified GV70 and the Kia EV6 GT, the EV that took top honors in Car and Driver’s “2023 EV of the Year” competition was none other than the Hyundai Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 is available in four trim levels: the SE Standard Range, SE Long Range, SEL, and Limited. Hyundai starts the baseline SE Standard Range trim at an MSRP of $41,600. 

The baseline Ioniq 6 trim comes standard with RWD, an estimated 240-mile all-electric range, ultra-fast charging, and sits on 18-inch wheels. The AWD drivetrain is not available on the Ioniq 6 base trim. However, that’s not all bad, as the AWD option significantly impacts the EV’s all-electric range. For example, the SE Long Range trim is available as either a RWD or AWD drivetrain. Its all-electric range with the RWD drivetrain is 361 miles, and choosing the AWD drivetrain bumps the all-electric range down to 316 miles. 

The range on a fully loaded Ioniq 6 isn’t that great 

Unfortunately, consumers wanting a fully loaded Hyundai Ioniq 6 won’t be able to access the impressive 361-mile EPA range. Instead, they will have to settle for 305 mile EPA range and a net 117 MPGe with an Ioniq 6 Limited trim. Hyundai starts the Limited trim at an MSRP of $52,600.

In addition, consumers wanting to add an AWD drivetrain to the highest-level trim should be aware that their range will suffer even further. The Ioniq 6 Limited trim with AWD achieves a 270-mile EPA range and a net 103 MPGe. However, the AWD and diminished range will be worth it if the driver lives in an area that routinely deals with snow. Hyundai started the Ioniq 6 Limited with AWD at an MSRP of $56,100. 

Despite winning the Car and Driver’s “2023 EV of the Year” award, sales haven’t been that great for the Ioniq 6. According to GoodCarBadCar data, Hyundai only sold 3,023 units of the Ioniq 6 during Q2 2023. In comparison, Tesla sold 58,500 units of the Model 3 during Q2 2023. However, Hyundai’s sales issue likely has more to do with supply issues rather than demand issues at this point. Only time will tell if critics and consumers alike will come to agree that the Ioniq 6 is worth the hype. 

Does the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 deserve the title? 

There’s no denying that the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 features a sleek design that is sure to turn heads wherever the road leads. While it has an aesthetically pleasing design, the power, and performance of this EV really sets it apart from the competition. According to Car and Driver, the base model Ioniq 6 comes standard with a single rear-mounted motor which makes 149 hp. In contrast, the single motor that sports the long-range battery pack can produce 225 hp. In addition, the dual motor setup produces 320 hp. 

The real kicker with the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 is its range. However, surprisingly the top two trims are not the EVs that provide the best range in this lineup. Instead, the lower level SE Long Range trim provides the impressive 361-mile EPA range and nets a 140 MPGe. This means that this Ioniq 6 trim proves more efficient than the rear-drive Tesla Model 3, which only nets 132 MPGe. In terms of the range it provides, the Ioniq 6 definitely beats every 2023 competitor in the EV space. 

Now, it just needs to catch up in sales.