Hyundai IONIQ 6’s engine named best in US

Hyundai Motor Co. announced on Friday that its electric vehicle (EV) IONIQ 6 sedan's powertrain was named one of the "2023 Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems."

This prestigious honor from the US automotive media giant WardsAuto marks the second consecutive year a model from Hyundai's IONIQ line has won the award. The IONIQ 5 SUV received the same recognition last year.

WardsAuto, a leading authority in automotive evaluations, has been issuing its Top 10 Engines award since 1995. In 2019, acknowledging the rapid shift toward electrification in the automotive industry, the title was updated to 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems.

The 29th edition of the award involved an exhaustive assessment by WardsAuto's panel of judges. A total of 32 powertrains in vehicles sold in the US were evaluated based on performance, efficiency, and technological innovation.

The IONIQ 6's power system stood out for its advanced driving performance, ultra-fast charging capabilities, and notable single-charge driving range.

The car uses an all-wheel-drive setup and boasts a maximum output of 239 kW, along with a peak torque of 605 Nm.

It offers a maximum single-charge driving range of up to 524 km—impressive stats that make it stand out in the electric vehicle market.

Notably, the vehicle utilizes an 800V high-voltage system that enables rapid battery charging—going from 10% to 80% in roughly 18 minutes.

Furthermore, the car's Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature can supply power externally, a capability that broadens the functional uses of the vehicle.

"Extreme acceleration is accessible at practically any speed, coupled with unparalleled efficiency," WardsAuto Editor-in-Chief Bob Gritzinger commented. "It stands as the epitome in battery-electric powertrains and richly deserves a second consecutive spot on our list."

With the IONIQ 6's latest achievement, Hyundai Motor Group has now accumulated a total of 16 WardsAuto top 10 engine awards since its first win in 2008 with the 4.6-liter Tau engine in the first-generation Genesis.

The 2023 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsions awards ceremony is set to take place during the second day of the AutoTech: Electrification conference Oct. 17-18 in Detroit, Michigan.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com