The redesign of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 becomes sportier and somewhat peculiar.
It remains a viable alternative to Tesla's Model 3.
The Hyundai Ioniq 6, the brand's electric sedan, features a polarizing design that has generated mixed opinions among consumers. For the 2026 model, the company has made some aesthetic modifications to the front. The new daytime running lights now have a narrower design, and the main headlights have been positioned lower in the bumper, a trend being adopted by several recent electric vehicle models, such as the Tesla Model Y and the Chevrolet Equinox EV.
The original design of the Ioniq 6 already evoked the shape of an Apple Magic Mouse, and the updates give it an even more streamlined profile thanks to the changes in the hood area. According to information provided by Hyundai, the company aims to highlight the identity of electric sedans with this new model, emphasizing a more precise and natural body flow, in line with the concept of ‘Pure, Refined Flow.’
Additionally, a high-performance N version is being introduced, inspired by the RN22e concept unveiled in 2022. Hyundai describes it as an "electrified high-performance streamliner" that features a sportier design with a black finish on the rear. The full unveiling of the Ioniq 6 N is scheduled for July.
The 2023 model of the Ioniq 6 has already positioned itself as a viable alternative to the Tesla Model 3, offering similar features in size, price, and maximum range (estimated by the EPA at 361 miles on a full charge in the RWD version). To maintain its place in the market alongside the more popular Ioniq 5, it will be up to buyers to determine whether the new design and some modifications to the layout of the interior buttons are sufficient to choose the Ioniq 6.