We put the Ioniq 6 SE RWD through controlled city loops, steady‑state highway runs at 70 and 80 mph, and a cold, wet‑weather cycle to quantify real‑world range and efficiency beyond the brochure.
Test car: 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE RWD (single motor, 168 kW/225 hp, 800‑V E‑GMP platform) on 18‑inch eco tires. Battery is the long‑range 77.4 kWh pack; Hyundai doesn’t publish usable capacity, but our prior 95%→2% depletion at 72°F returned 73.8 kWh net, suggesting ~75 kWh usable. EPA combined range is 361 miles for this spec, aided by a slippery 0.21 Cd and heat‑pump HVAC. DC fast‑charging is rated up to 235 kW (10–80% claim: 18 minutes).
We tested on mostly dry, low‑traffic roads at 72°F (wind 3–5 mph), tire pressures set to 39 psi cold, two occupants and ~25 kg cargo. City/suburban loop averaged 28 mph with frequent stops. Highway testing used GPS‑verified 70 mph and 80 mph out‑and‑back routes to cancel elevation and wind. HVAC remained in Auto 70°F; in cold testing (43°F, light rain, 10–14 mph crosswind) we used seat heaters on low.
State of charge windows were typically 90%→10% and energy measured via trip computer and charger readout cross‑check. Urban/suburban consumption came in at 5.0 mi/kWh (200 Wh/mi). Projected from our ~75 kWh usable, that’s about 375 miles of city‑heavy range at 72°F. The car excels here: smooth throttle mapping, efficient coast with adjustable paddles, and true one‑pedal i‑Pedal mode for dense traffic.
Thermal management was unobtrusive, and the cabin needed minimal fan speed to stay comfortable, helping keep HVAC draw low. At a steady GPS‑verified 70 mph in mild conditions we recorded 4.1 mi/kWh (244 Wh/mi), equating to roughly 308 miles per charge. The Ioniq 6 is impressively stable at speed; lane centering (HDA2) eased workload without affecting consumption in a measurable way. Road and wind noise are modest on the 18s, and the powertrain’s reserve makes passing effortless without big efficiency penalties if you keep bursts short.
At 80 mph, efficiency dropped to 3.4 mi/kWh (294 Wh/mi), for an estimated 255 miles. In our cold/wet 70 mph run at 43°F, we saw 3.6 mi/kWh (278 Wh/mi)—about 270 miles—reflecting aero drag from rain, rolling resistance on wet pavement, and higher HVAC load. Preconditioning the battery by setting the DC station in the nav helped charging: on a 350‑kW unit we peaked at 223 kW, held >200 kW to ~40%, and reached 10–80% in 19 minutes; taper to ~90 kW by ~70% was consistent. Takeaways: the EPA figure is attainable in temperate, slower‑speed use, while realistic highway planning numbers are ~300 miles at 70 mph, ~255 miles at 80 mph, and ~270 miles at 70 mph in cool, wet conditions.
If you routinely drive fast or in winter, size your stops accordingly. Use seat heaters, precondition before DC fast charging, and stick with the 18‑inch tires for best range. The Ioniq 6 delivers outstanding long‑leg efficiency with little comfort compromise.
