Hyundai’s IONIQ 6: Most efficient electric vehicle in US

Hyundai Motor Co.'s electric sedan IONIQ 6 has been named the most energy-efficient vehicle in the US, further driving the South Korean automaker’s EV push in one of the world’s top car markets.

According to efficiency ratings reported by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Hyundai IONIQ 6 Long Range rear-wheel-drive 2024 model with 18-inch wheels showed a combined city/highway reading of 140 MPGe, making it the US market's most fuel-efficient car.

MPGe is a measurement used by the EPA to gauge the fuel efficiency of electric vehicles. It adds an “e” to the MPG unit used for internal combustion engine cars, which means “miles per gallon.” One MPGe corresponds to about 0.048 km per kWh.

According to data on the fueleconomy.gov website operated by the EPA, the efficiency of the Hyundai IONIQ 6's 2024 model is five times higher than the average EPA efficiency of 28 MPGe for 2024 EV models.

The EPA has recognized the IONIQ 6 as offering the highest efficiency level among EVs for two consecutive years.

FOUR OF SIX IONIQ MODELS AMONG TOP 10

The latest EPA ratings show four of six IONIQ models reaching the top 10.

The Standard IONIQ 6 rear-wheel-drive model ranked third with 135 MPGe, following the Lucid Air Pure rear-wheel-drive model with 19-inch wheels, which ranked second with 137 MPGe.

The IONIQ 6 Long Range all-wheel-drive model with 18-inch wheels took fifth place with 121 MPGe.

The IONIQ 5 crossover Long Range rear-wheel-drive ranked 10th at 114 MPGe.

Hyundai Motor’s affiliate Kia Corp. saw its EV6 Long Range Standard rear-wheel-drive model rank seventh with 117 MPGe.

The Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range ranked eighth with 116 MPGe.

Hyundai and Kia together saw eight models in their EV lineup included in the top 10 for energy efficiency compiled by the US government agency.

Tesla Inc., the leading US electric carmaker, has not yet reported the fuel efficiency of its 2024 models to the EPA. Based on its 2023 models, the Model 3 and the Model Y boast 132 MPGe and 123 MPGe, respectively, lower than the IONIQ 6’s 2024 model year.

HYUNDAI’S RECORD US SALES IN FEBRUARY

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor America sold 60,341 vehicles in the US market last month, a record high for February. The figure represents a 6% increase from the same month a year earlier.

Sales of the Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) rose 280% year on year while the Tucson Hybrid saw its US sales rise 29%.

Hyundai’s premium Genesis cars sold a record 4,065 vehicles in February, up 9.4% from the year-earlier period.

Kia, however, saw its US vehicle sales decline 3% to 59,059 units in February from 60,859 units a year earlier.

Write to Jae-Fu Kim at hu@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.