CORPORATE BATTLE

Hyundai's slick new loniq 6 takes on the BMW i4 in a fight for electric executive honours

WHAT IS A REALWORLD ROAD TEST?

THE Auto Express Real-World Road Test subjects the latest cars to our rigorous assessment processes, which are focused on buyers' needs.

We consider the merits of each car, not only the way that it drives, but also every aspect important to owners, from the space inside to the usability of infotainment systems.

Equally importantly, we give you a clearer indication than ever of how much you can expect to pay if you place an order today, thanks to our in-depth number crunching.

WHEN Hyundai launched the loniq 5, it set the company on a trajectory as a maker of premium EVs with a focus on design and technology. It was so good that we named it our 2021 Car Of the Year, and now Hyundai is looking to repeat its success with the new loniq 6.

The 6 uses the same electric running gear as the 5, but it comes with a slippery four-door body and a price that positions it as an executive model. That puts it in direct competition with our current favourite premium EV, the BMW i4. So what better way to see how the loniq 6 performs than to pitch it against its German rival in our Real-World Road Test?

Hyundai Ioniq 6

MODEL TESTED: Ioniq 6 Ultimate

PRICE: £54,040

POWERTRAIN: 2x e-motors, 77.4kWh battery, 321bhp

THE Ioniq 6 joins the electric executive sector, which is a part of the market where Hyundai hasn't made much of an impact in the past. However, the company's premium EV aspirations mean it believes that it can now make inroads into the class. Prices are slightly higher than they are for the Ioniq 5, starting from £47,040, while we're testing the top-spec Ultimate model with twin electric motors here, which costs £54,040.

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