Cheaper than a Tesla Model 3? Hyundai lowers entry point to 2024 Ioniq 6 electric car with smaller battery option

Hyundai Australia has made its Ioniq 6 electric car more accessible by introducing a more affordable grade for its model year 2024 update.

Rolling out a 53kWh 'Standard Range' battery that features a driving range of 429km, the entry-point to the Ioniq 6 line-up is now $65,500, before on-road costs – making it $8500 more affordable than last year's range-opening Dynamiq that features a larger battery.

Known simply as the Ioniq 6 Standard Range RWD, the base variant features a 111kW/350Nm output, as well as 18-inch wheels, drive-mode selector, LED exterior lights, flush-fitting door handles, cloth interior, power-adjustable driver's seat, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control.

Handling multimedia duties is a 12.3-inch system with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six-speaker output and a wireless smartphone charger.

For safety there is forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention alert, lane keep assist, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, tyre pressure monitor, and a surround-view monitor.

The base car is also available with a carryover 77.4kWh 'Extended Range' battery that ups pricing, driving range and outputs to $71,500, 614km and 168kW/350Nm respectively.

The entry-point to the Ioniq 6 line-up is now $65,500, before on-road costs.

With the removal of last year's Techniq, next up the rung is the now-mid-tier Dynamiq available exclusively with the larger Extended Range battery in rear- or all-wheel drive form for $77,500 and $82,000 apiece.

The rear-drive version also features a 168kW/350Nm output but its larger 20-inch wheels drop driving range down to 545km, while the all-paw version boasts a 239kW/605Nm dual-motor output and has a 519km range.

The base car is also available with a carryover 77.4kWh ‘Extended Range’ battery.

Equipment in the Dynamiq builds on the base Ioniq 6 with rear privacy glass, leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, power adjustable front passenger seat, a head-up display, alloy pedals and a Bose sound system.

Topping the 2024 Ioniq 6 line-up is the Epiq, priced at $81,000 for the rear-drive version and $85,500 with AWD, with added gear including a full-width glass sunroof, cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel and driver's seat memory function.

All Ioniq 6 models are capable of 350kW DC fast charging that can recoup from 10-80 per cent battery in under 20 minutes.

Both Dynamiq and Epiq grades have a matte paint option for $1000, while digital mirrors can be added exclusively to the latter for $3000.

Additional changes to the updated Ioniq 6 line-up include a heat pump, battery heating system and battery conditioning all as standard.

Handling multimedia duties is a 12.3-inch system with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six-speaker output and a wireless smartphone charger.

Built on Hyundai's 800-volt E-GMP platform, all Ioniq 6 models are capable of 350kW DC fast charging that can recoup from 10-80 per cent battery in under 20 minutes.

For reference, Australia's most popular electric car is currently the Telsa Model 3, which is available in rear-drive guise for $61,900 or long-range form for $71,900.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 pricing before on-road costs