Stephen Edelstein/Digital Trends
Finally, we’ve reached the point where automakers other than Tesla are continuing with their first-generation electric cars and releasing their second and even third models. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and its sister Kia EV6 have made headlines as stellar alternatives to Tesla’s Model 3 or Model Y, thanks to their innovative design and high-tech features. But with new models finally coming out, automakers have a choice: Should they just make smaller and larger versions of the electric vehicles they already have? Or should they try to keep pushing the design envelope with each new model?
Hyundai decided on the latter approach. The Ioniq 5 didn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, but it certainly offered a fresh take on the midsize crossover, with retro-looking pixel lights, a stripped-down interior and more. But with the Ioniq 6, the company has gone back to the drawing board. There are similarities, sure – but the Ioniq 6 is far from just a smaller version of the Ioniq 5.
Ioniq 6 design
There are many similarities between the design of the Ioniq 6 and the Ioniq 5, but at first glance they look completely different. The Ioniq 6 is much sleeker and frankly, inspired by the Porsche 911. Its sleek, rounded lines culminate in a bar-shaped spoiler along the rear of the car, and the slanted headlamp cutouts give it a classic look. Only small details, such as the pixel light accents scattered throughout the car, hint at its shared heritage with the Ioniq 5.
Christian de Looper / Digital trends
I really like it. Not everyone does and that’s fair. Admittedly, it doesn’t look as refined or high-end as the Porsche 911 from which it draws inspiration. But it still looks more stylish and interesting than most sedans with an internal combustion engine.
It wouldn’t be the first
To be clear, there is definitely precedent for all electric vehicles from a company to offer a similar design. And that precedent is from the biggest electric vehicle manufacturer of all: Tesla.
All Tesla cars look… pretty much the same so far. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—a lot of people really like Tesla’s styling, and there’s something practical about the uniformity. Regardless of the design differences, Tesla’s cars, or at least its cheaper cars, are completely different in size. Want a smaller car? Get the Model 3. Bigger? The Model Y is the Tesla for you.
Tesla / Tesla
Of course, that starts to fall apart at the higher end, where Tesla starts differentiating each model with additional features. The Model S has more range than any other Tesla car, and the Model X has those nifty gull-wing doors. There’s also Cybertruck, which isn’t out yet, but will be a completely different beast when it is.
But most buyers aren’t looking in those price ranges. Most customers who buy a Tesla will base their decision entirely on whether they want a big or a small. There are benefits to this, but it’s also a bit boring.
Not just a pretty face
The Ioniq 5 was not only great for its cool design, but also for its excellent features. I like the blind spot cameras, super fast charging support, and the ability to use the charging port to power external accessories. I don’t even mind Hyundai’s infotainment system — although I’m still inclined to plug in and use CarPlay instead.
Christian de Looper / Digital trends
But these are features that Hyundai really can’t, or shouldn’t, discount with its cars. These are features that Hyundai wants to be synonymous with its new lineup, enhancing the EV ownership experience as a whole. So the Ioniq 6 gets them too.
The company also doesn’t get to play much with the driving dynamics. The fact is, there’s so much room for uniqueness in how an electric car feels, at least right now, and especially in a certain price range and size. They all offer instant acceleration and great response, and that’s a good thing — but it means that if you’re not well attuned to the feel of the car, you probably won’t notice much of a difference.
Pushing the envelope
I hope Hyundai continues to play with design as it rolls out more and more electric vehicles – and by all accounts, it looks like it will. The upcoming Ioniq 7, at least according to the first renderings, will look like no SUV we’ve seen before. Although the design doesn’t strike me as particularly elegant, at this point I believe the company will make good design decisions.
Until then, the Ioniq 6 is a great option for those who want an electric sedan with a little more style than most of the competition. Yes, it makes the buying decision a bit more complicated than a Tesla model, but having many different choices is a good thing. And if the swoopy design isn’t for you, the Ioniq 5 certainly isn’t going away anytime soon. Regardless of which car you choose, you’re still getting one of the best electric vehicles available.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn