Hyundai electrifies MIAS 2023 with World Car of The Year IONIQ 6

Photos from Hyundai Motor Philippines

It seems almost serendipitous that I first laid eyes on the Hyundai IONIQ 6 when I visited the Seoul Mobility Show in Korea last month. Here is a fine-looking sedan that had one of the most graceful shapes I have seen in a new car in recent years. But beauty is much more than skin deep—the IONIQ 6 is a cutting-edge pure-electric vehicle. And little did I know that this shapely beauty would be following me shortly to the Philippines from Seoul. 

And now, barely two weeks after seeing it in Korea—and a mere handful of months after stunning the Philippine market with the cutting-edge pure-electric IONIQ 5 and less than a year after becoming the new Hyundai distributor in the country—Hyundai Motor Philippines is back at it with the local debut of the IONIQ 6. 

Award-winning electrified mobility

The IONIQ 6 repeats the history made by its illustrious sibling, claiming the 2023 World Car Design of The Year, the 2023 World Electric Vehicle of the Year, and the coveted 2023 World Car of The Year—the same triple crown won by the IONIQ 5 just last year.

Both models share the same design DNA but have their own unique styling execution— “sporty and sleek” for the graceful IONIQ 6 in contrast with “bold and space” for the avant-garde IONIQ 5. The IONIQ 6’s exterior showcases Hyundai’s trademark 3D parametric pixel lights complemented by glass-like, transparent textures.

Built on Hyundai’s state-of-the-art Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the IONIQ 6 has enhanced stability and handling and added safety.

Inside, the cabin has a cocoon-like form for a cozier feeling. Despite the cozy ambience, it still manages to lead its class in terms of comfort and cargo space, thanks to its long 2,950mm wheelbase. Behind the wheel, the driver experiences interactive features incorporated through the digital cluster and infotainment screen and action-sensitive ambient lights.

The IONIQ 6 has a top speed of 185 kilometers per hour, with sports car-like acceleration that enables it to reach 100 kilometers per hour in just 5.1 seconds. Worry-free driving comes from its all-electric range of a whopping 545 kilometers, made possible by the IONIQ 6’s upgraded battery capacity and a highly aero-optimized body shape.

The IONIQ 6 supports both 400V and 800V charging, which can power up the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 will be officially launched around mid-2023 with a retail price of roughly PHP 4,000,000. The IONIQ 5 currently retails for PHP 3,068,000 for the 2WD Standard Range, and PHP 3,698,000 for the 2WD Long Range. It comes with a 5-year or 200,000-km vehicle warranty, 8-year or 160,000-km battery warranty and free Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) for 5 years or 75,000-km (whichever comes first). Adding further value is the fact that the installation of a 7.4KWh AC wall charger also comes standard with every purchase.

To help build confidence and peace of mind among its EV owners, HMPH will soon launch a Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Service wherein the IONIQ 5 will be utilized for mobile charging. Similar to a roadside emergency assistance, there will be a hotline that Filipino customers can call for assistance. It will initially be available in the National Capital Region (NCR) with the charging process taking four minutes, which produces 7KWh or about 20 to 30 kilometers of extra range.

All this cutting-edge mobility technology is part of Hyundai Motor’s over-arching Carbon Neutrality 2045 Agenda with electrification as the top priority. The global brand has pledged to play a pivotal role, not just in pioneering technologies, but also in leading society’s transition to clean, carbon-neutral mobility. The IONIQ range is Hyundai’s first dedicated line of purely electric vehicles and the embodiment of the company’s global vision of Progress for Humanity.

Formidable array on display

But it wasn’t just the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 that electrified MIAS 2023. The rest of Hyundai’s lineup created their own buzz as well. These included the latest iterations of familiar nameplates, such as the head-turning Tucson and Palisade, as well as new additions like the spritely Creta and futuristic Staria. HMPH also ventured into the highly competitive 7-seater MPV segment with the equally futuristic Stargazer.

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At MIAS, HMPH allowed a sneak peek of an upcoming upscale variant of the Stargazer, this time as a premium 6-seater MPV that will be available at all Hyundai dealerships nationwide before the year ends (and is already open for pre-order).

The Stargazer has been acclaimed for its futuristic looks and features. Apart from its signature Day Time Running Light (DRL) up front and H-Shaped lights at the rear, its range of safety and driver-assist functions stand out against its competitors. Notable ones are the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), that detects the risk of crashing into pedestrians or other cars by automatically applying the brakes, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Safe Exit Warning (SEW), that alerts when alighting the vehicle and there is a hazard from behind.

Boasting the longest wheelbase in its class, the Stargazer’s second-row captain’s chairs that will be offered as a new configuration further complements its already spacious and comfortable ride. For flexibility, the Stargazer has over 30 ergonomically designed storage compartments and seats that are ISOFIX-compatible and easy-folding for extra cargo load.

From feature-packed MPVs to stylish SUVs—and with both genres available in a multitude of sizes—all the way to stunning EVs that seem to have come from a sci-fi movie, Hyundai comprehensively asserted its presence and leadership at MIAS 2023. Electrifying, indeed.