A coworker of mine just bought a base EV6. It's a really attractive car. Definitely stands out among the sea of Tesla Model 3s and Ys at the EV charging spots (in a good way).
A coworker of mine just bought a base EV6. It's a really attractive car. Definitely stands out among the sea of Tesla Model 3s and Ys at the EV charging spots (in a good way).
I do like the way these look. We are at least 4 years away from buying an electric car, and this gives me hope that they won't be all bad.
One thing that I wonder about with electrics. Does the potential for 500+ horsepower hurt the efficiency w.r.t. mileage the same way high-power internal combustion seems to? This is a generalization, and isn't as true as it once was with internal combustion engines. So does the range of a high-power electric generally decline compared to it's lower-powered sibling, or is it similar assuming you aren't driving like you stole it? Another thought is how badly does range decline if you *do* use the full potential. We're counting on you to give us a full report. 
JoeTR6 said:I do like the way these look. We are at least 4 years away from buying an electric car, and this gives me hope that they won't be all bad.
One thing that I wonder about with electrics. Does the potential for 500+ horsepower hurt the efficiency w.r.t. mileage the same way high-power internal combustion seems to? This is a generalization, and isn't as true as it once was with internal combustion engines. So does the range of a high-power electric generally decline compared to it's lower-powered sibling, or is it similar assuming you aren't driving like you stole it? Another thought is how badly does range decline if you *do* use the full potential. We're counting on you to give us a full report.
Generally speaking, higher horsepower is a side effect of more range. A slightly oversimplistic way to think about it: Each little individual battery in the pack can output a fixed horsepower. To add more range, you add more little batteries, and the total horsepower goes up.
Note that the same basic physics that apply to other performance cars apply here, too. Big sticky tires add drag, etc.
If you're constantly flooring it, range declines. More electricity turns into heat when everything starts operating near its limits. And then you waste a lot of the forward motion you've added when you end up braking harder.
I really like these, I had a ride-along in the AWD model (with far less power) at the NY auto show back in April and loved it. I think this one looks great, I especially love the color. The sticker price will keep me away from one for a long, long, time.
Results of today's road trip.
Before:
After:
You can see that the actual miles traveled fell short of the expected, but to be fair most of our trip was freeway driving at 65-70mph. It was nice going to Orlando to our closest Apple Store (which is inexplicably 50 miles from Daytona), then going over the Maitland Audubon Birds of Prey Center while Apple fixed my phone, then driving home, stopping at a plant nursery and buying a ew not-insignificant shrubs, and heading home with zero range anxiety or drama.
Highway manners are exceptional, and the lane keeping and smart cruise are really seamless. Rather than feeling like they're trying to do too much to keep your gap set and keep you within your current lane, it just sort of feels like the road is really smooth and traffic is kind of working out in your favor today. It actually took me a while to realize the car was making decisions and it wasn't just I-4 being uncharacteristically friendly, as the operation of the systems is pretty transparent.
Maybe the most interesting part of the drive was how much attention the car got. It's clearly striking on the road. Tesla drivers give you a little side-eye, but everyone else takes a moment to ogle a bit, and even throw a wave or a thumbs-up your way.
JG Pasterjak said:Rather than feeling like they're trying to do too much to keep your gap set and keep you within your current lane, it just sort of feels like the road is really smooth and traffic is kind of working out in your favor today. It actually took me a while to realize the car was making decisions and it wasn't just I-4 being uncharacteristically friendly, as the operation of the systems is pretty transparent.
A car that makes driving I-4 suck less? Sign me up.
All the horsepowers are a nice bonus, too.
Does the rear view mirror do anything? Looks like there is very little space to see out of the rear hatch from ove the rear seats?
Tom Suddard said:JoeTR6 said:I do like the way these look. We are at least 4 years away from buying an electric car, and this gives me hope that they won't be all bad.
One thing that I wonder about with electrics. Does the potential for 500+ horsepower hurt the efficiency w.r.t. mileage the same way high-power internal combustion seems to? This is a generalization, and isn't as true as it once was with internal combustion engines. So does the range of a high-power electric generally decline compared to it's lower-powered sibling, or is it similar assuming you aren't driving like you stole it? Another thought is how badly does range decline if you *do* use the full potential. We're counting on you to give us a full report.
Generally speaking, higher horsepower is a side effect of more range. A slightly oversimplistic way to think about it: Each little individual battery in the pack can output a fixed horsepower. To add more range, you add more little batteries, and the total horsepower goes up.
Note that the same basic physics that apply to other performance cars apply here, too. Big sticky tires add drag, etc.
If you're constantly flooring it, range declines. More electricity turns into heat when everything starts operating near its limits. And then you waste a lot of the forward motion you've added when you end up braking harder.
Iirc big motors are also more efficient than little motors, so bonkers performance is basically a side effect.
The Ioniq5 is an Integrale, this thing is a Stratos. Check the ducktail and the C pillar along with the pointy nose. Kia's styling department has been let off the leash and having a lot of fun.
It's a really cool looking car, but what is it? I can't get a sense of scale from the photos. Is it a hot hatch? A large wagon? Or is it an SUV? 2 rows or 3 rows?
Also, at $60k+, what ICE car(s) is this competing against? I'm mostly only familiar with the sub-$40k portion of the market.
yupididit said:Does the rear view mirror do anything? Looks like there is very little space to see out of the rear hatch from ove the rear seats?
That is a feature, not a bug. It keeps the horribly patterned, overly bright DOT spec headlights from blinding small children in rear facing baby seats.
CrashDummy said:It's a really cool looking car, but what is it? I can't get a sense of scale from the photos. Is it a hot hatch? A large wagon? Or is it an SUV? 2 rows or 3 rows?
Two rows. It's been a second since I've seen one out in the wild, but I'd say it's close in size to a Ford Focus.
If it helps, here are the measurements from Kia:
In reply to Colin Wood :
It's bigger in every dimension than a Focus, the wheelbase is almost 10" longer. I see a couple of them regularly at the gym and they're bigger than the pictures make them look. They look like a hot hatch, but are the size of a Mazda CX-7.
Yeah, it's a big car--kudos to the styling department for drawing the Focus comparison, but every time I see one at a fast charger I'm stunned by how big they are.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
So it was about 10% optimistic, which is about the same with their ICE cars and fuel range in my experience on the newer stuff.
yupididit said:Does the rear view mirror do anything? Looks like there is very little space to see out of the rear hatch from ove the rear seats?
Yeah it was fine for me. The headrests in the back nealy frame the rearview to give you a bit of a sense of perspective when you glance in the mirror.
CrashDummy said:It's a really cool looking car, but what is it? I can't get a sense of scale from the photos. Is it a hot hatch? A large wagon? Or is it an SUV? 2 rows or 3 rows?
Also, at $60k+, what ICE car(s) is this competing against? I'm mostly only familiar with the sub-$40k portion of the market.
It kind of gives the same vibes of the Toyota Crown. It's a crossover that's taller than a sedan, but lower than an SUV. It's kind of what I imagined when I first heard the term "crossover" before it just came to mean "small SUV."
As a whole package, I think I prefer the Ioniq5. The Kia drives great, and looks the business, but it makes a few concessions toward sportiness that don't help it as a utility tool when compared to the Ioniq5. I know it sounds weird to criticize something for being sporty, but if I'm going to have a sports car I want it to be a sports car. A tall wagon with summer tires doesn't impress me if they made the interior smaller to give it a more intimate feel.
If it sounds like I'm being harsh, I'm not. It's a truly impressive car, as are all its platform-mates. But I'm secure enough in my personhood to accept that my appliance cars can really sell out to be appliance-like and useful, and I feel like the Ioniq5 does a better job in that regard, for fewer monies.
Soooo Ioniq5N?
I stole the Kia for the day, and plan to put some miles on it this evening. So far, it's been a somewhat capable hauler for a few bins of stuff:
But I do have to admit it would have waaaaaay more space if the rear end was squared off.
Within the first mile I turned off the heads-up display and the synthetic engine noises, which were pretty annoying, but otherwise it's a perfectly competent appliance. That, well, happens to have huge seat bolsters and a stiff ride. I'll see if there's a reason for those once I drive it a bit more.
Most EV charging happens at home, and the Kia has a fairly quick 11kw onboard charger:
The Kia looks great for a big suv, way better then the ionic 5.
I find both cars attractive–different but both looking good. (The angled side crease on the Hyundai just does it for me.)
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:In reply to Colin Wood :
It's bigger in every dimension than a Focus, the wheelbase is almost 10" longer. I see a couple of them regularly at the gym and they're bigger than the pictures make them look. They look like a hot hatch, but are the size of a Mazda CX-7.
We have an Ioniq 6 and I continued to be amazed at how long it is. The rear leg room is like an S-class Mercedes. Length is 191.1" which is identical to my 2012 BMW X5 (which was available with a 3rd row!).
David S. Wallens said:I find both cars attractive–different but both looking good. (The angled side crease on the Hyundai just does it for me.)
That diagonal crease is the one detail I would remove from an otherwise good looking vehicle. It wouldn't be enough to stop me from getting one though.
Here’s a question: Is this a modern interpretation of a halo car?
How’s that?
It’s fast, distinctive looking but, let’s be honest, not for everyone. The range isn’t spectacular, the price isn’t low. It asks for some compromises.
Like, know what a $62,000-ish car should have that this one doesn’t?
Power seats.
But is this what it takes to get people into the dealership/website these days?
Also, did I hear some rattles? I could hear something inside the cockpit as well as a quieter one from below. Plus there’s a bit more wind noise than I’d like in a vehicle at this price point.
Headlight performance, especially the high beams, could also be better–a little more light on the road would be appreciated.
It is quick, though–way quick. Back to being a halo car.
First truly quick production car I recall driving was the Supra Turbo. It felt like a giant hand from above was just pushing you down the tarmac–a true kick in the butt. No waiting, no fuss. This recalls that experience except, actually, way quicker acceleration.
Despite being manual, I found the seats very comfortable.
And speaking of seats, room for those in the rear is limo-like.
So, to help me sleep better at night, I’m going to consider this a halo car. It’s aspirational and maybe not totally rational.
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