The Most Affordable Electric Car With AWD In 2024

As the electric vehicle segment has continued to develop rapidly over the last few years, a handful of manufacturers have stood head above shoulders against the competition, proving the benefits that electric power can bring for everyday driving. While efficiency is one of the main selling points for these cars, the industry-leading performance that modern electric motors can produce is nothing short of astonishing.

A brand at the forefront of the charge in 2024 is Hyundai, whose all-electric fleet now spans across four models. In the sedan segment, it’s the Ioniq 6 that holds the banner for the South Korean brand for EVs, a car that has received much praise from reviewers around the world.

Along with solid efficiency, the Ioniq 6 offers an all-wheel-drive drivetrain at the most affordable price across the electric car segment. Combining just about every potential benefit of electric power, here’s a closer look at the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including Motor Trend.

The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq AWD Starts At $45,950

After winning the World Car of the Year, World Electric Car, and World Car Design of the Year at the 2023 World Car Awards, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has rightfully so become one of the top choices within the EV segment, especially considering its price. In 2024, the Ioniq 6 is available in three different variants: the SE, SEL, and Limited. However, if you want the performance-enhancing benefits of all-wheel-drive, you can select it even with the base SE trim.

Overall, the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a starting MSRP of $45,950 with the dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain selected. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive option adds $3,500 to the SE’s price tag but offers many improvements if you’re looking for performance at the most affordable price.

Producing Up To 320 Horsepower

Thanks to its dual-motor setup, the 2024 Ioniq 6 has a power output of 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque with all-wheel-drive. The power is distributed using a 99 horsepower electric motor on the front axle, with the rear axle receiving a beefy 221 horsepower motor at the rear. As with many other electric cars today, the Ioniq 6 is fitted with a single-speed transmission but features a reducer to maximize the whopping 446 pound-feet of torque output.

While Hyundai hasn’t confirmed how fast the Ioniq 6 can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour, the 2023 all-wheel-drive model does. The electric sedan’s dual-motor version manages the feat in just 4.4 seconds, while hitting a ​​​top speed is 115 miles per hour.

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE Performance Specifications

(Data was collected from Hyundai)

To further maximize the all-wheel-drive Ioniq 6’s capabilities, the Drive Select system offers normal, sport, snow, eco, and My Mode to ensure the car can handle any condition. While the single motor also has these features, the dual-motor trim can seriously excel, particularly in sport and snow, through increased traction and power output.

The 2024 Ioniq 6’s My Mode feature is easily one of the standout features of the model. It allows you to customize the power output settings, acceleration sensitivity, steering feel, and whether your brakes have a sporty or subdued response. The brakes also come with regenerative technology.

Offering Standout Range For An All-Wheel-Drive Model

Compared to single-motor models, dual-motor electric cars are known to lose out on range in the pursuit of performance. While this is also the case for the 2024 Ioniq 6, the dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain still delivers standout range, at an EPA estimate of 316 miles. As well as offering an impressive amount of power for its ultra-competitive price tag, you can be sure that the all-wheel-drive Ioniq 6 can get you any way you need to go with ease.

When you do need to stop and charge the Ioniq 6, you’ll be pleased to know that the electric sedan offers equally fast charging speeds. Although not yet commonplace, if you charge the Ioniq 6 at a charging point that offers 350 kW, you can reach up to 80 percent charge in just 18 minutes. When charging at 50 kW capacity, the time drops to 73 minutes for the same amount of battery life.

In Comparison With The Single-Motor Ioniq 6

The cheapest 2024 Ioniq 6 model comes in a single-motor rear-wheel-drive layout, starting at $42,450. As expected, the base Ioniq 6 SE rear-wheel-drive produces a lesser 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Being rear-wheel-drive, this version of the Ioniq 6 delivers an EPA-estimated range of 361 miles, becoming one of the highest-ranked electric sedans on the market.

Coming With The Latest Technology And Driver Assistance Features

Along with offering industry-leading performance and efficiency, electric cars have set a new standard in terms of technology, both inside and outside of the cabin. The 2024 Ioniq 6 most definitely continues this trend, offering the very best equipment that Hyundai has to offer.

Its Extensive SmartSense Inclusions

When it comes to the driver assistance features, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 includes the brand’s SmartSense system as standard. All other new Hyundai models also receive SmartSense, putting each model that the South Korean brand produces ahead of the curve. While the top-spec Limited trim is the only model to receive every available SmartSense feature, the base SE trim still comes with blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, in addition to the following features:

• Parking Distance Warning (front and rear)
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Safe Exit Warning
• Highway Driving Assist
• High Beam Assist
• Smart Cruise Control
• Rear Occupant Alert

Plenty Of Tech Inside The Sleek, Spacious Interior

Moving inside, the 2024 Ioniq 6 features the same modern, sleek design style as the exterior. The SE trim features stain-resistant heated cloth seats, but it only offers a black interior, so it doesn’t lose out on the extensive technological inclusions. You’ll also get a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard in the SE trim, but it isn’t heated, as is the case with the Limited trim.

At the heart of the Ioniq 6’s interior is the dual-screen setup, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system alongside an equally sized digital instrument cluster, keeping all the infotainment settings and information as accessible as possible. Connectivity has become an essential element of any car, and the Ioniq 6 offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth via BlueLink.

What Electric Cars Rival The Ioniq 6?

With the electric sedan segment being the most competitive it’s ever been, it comes as no surprise that the Hyundai Ioniq 6 isn’t alone at the front of the field. While no electric sedan offers all-wheel-drive at a more affordable price than the Ioniq 6, there are cars that come close, offering solid performance from their dual-motor layouts.

The Tesla Model 3

One brand that’s been at the core of EV development over the years is Tesla, which introduced the world to affordable electric vehicles with tremendous amounts of power. In 2024, the Tesla Model 3 remains the brand’s cheapest model, starting at $47,740 for the Long Range Dual Motor all-wheel-drive trim. As expected, with a higher price tag, the Tesla Model 3 packs more of a punch in some areas.

In terms of power output, the 2024 Tesla Model 3 Long Range produces 393 horsepower and 364 pound-feet of torque. While the increase in horsepower allows the Model 3 to reach a top speed of 125 miles per hour, the torque-focused Hyundai Ioniq 6 puts the power down faster, making it ideal for urban/everyday drivability. The Model 3 does have the upper hand for range, however, with the Longe Range trim providing an EPA-estimated 341 miles.

The BMW i4

For manufacturers in Europe, very few are investing as heavily in electric power as BMW. By 2026, the German brand aims to produce electric vehicles only in its Munich production plant, building off the foundations set by models like the i4 sedan. A direct rival to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 in 2024, the BMW i4 starts at $61,600 for the xDrive40, considerably more expensive than both the Model 3 and the Ioniq 6.

Being more expensive, you get more power, too, with 396 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque at your disposal. For range, the all-wheel-drive i4 has a maximum range of 307 miles, slightly less than the Ioniq 6. Whether the $15,650 increase in price for both solid horsepower and torque output is worth has been a hot topic for quite some time.

Setting The Stage For Hyundai’s Electric Future

Only being introduced in 2022, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has swiftly developed into one of the most prominent electric vehicles on the market in 2024. Offering the benefits of all-wheel-drive along with a standout range, the latest 2024 model has to be a serious contender if you’re considering a new all-electric sedan.

The Ioniq 6 has also cemented Hyundai as one of the best EV manufacturers, with the brand expanding the range, particularly with the Ioniq 5. The 2024 Ioniq 5 N is the first Hyundai to receive an N Performance version, allowing the brand to enter the high-performance EV territory. The Ioniq 6 will also be receiving an N Performance version, being recently spotted testing on the streets. The details are currently unknown, but the prospect alone is enough to excite the entire EV scene.