2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be how big? Korean brand hints at what to expect from new Tesla Model S-rivalling EV sedan

Speaking to CarsGuide at the local launch of the Ioniq 5, Hyundai Australia has hinted at exactly how big its next dedicated EV will be.

It has long been known that the initial Ioniq trio based on the brand’s dedicated e-GMP electric underpinnings will consist of a the Ioniq 5 mid-size SUV, Ioniq 6 sedan, and Ioniq 7 large SUV.

But with the imposing dimensions of the Ioniq 5 featuring a 3000mm wheelbase, longer than the brand’s Palisade large SUV (2900mm), will the Ioniq 6 be a huge sedan? Or, will the platform shrink - as has been suggested in the past - to accommodate something which more resembles a vehicle from Hyundai’s existing range, like the i30 or Sonata?

Shedding some light, the Hyundai Australia's product development boss, Andrew Tuitahi, explained: “Dimensionally, expect around the footprint of the Ioniq 5. Obviously as a sedan, the proportions will mean a significantly different profile, a different height. But size-wise, similar to Ioniq 5.”

For reference, that means the Ioniq 6 will be a big unit, with the Ioniq 5 measuring 4635mm long and 1890mm wide. A similar 3000mm wheelbase alone would mean it would be much larger than the Sonata or i30 sedan, with its wheelbase making it nearly as long as the Genesis G80 luxury sedan (3010mm).

So, it seems likely we will we see a flagship sedan, maybe something with similar proportions to Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen sedan, which itself is a large sedan with SUV-style wheels on a 2900mm wheelbase.

How will it look? If you take a look at the Ioniq 5, or current-generation Tucson, you’ll note how similar the production cars are to the 45 and Vision T concepts on which they were based respectively, so will Hyundai be able to pull it off a third time to make the Ioniq 6 closely resemble the Prophecy concept?

Hyundai Australia product planning boss Chris Saltapidas wouldn't answer that question directly, only offering: “There is definitely a resemblance.”

The Prophecy concept first shown in March of 2020 hints at what we can expect, with an almost Porsche-like aerodynamic nose, sleek alloys, pixel theme lights and interior motifs to carry on from the ones which appear in the Ioniq 5, and an ultra-long wheelbase granting its coupe body an “interior as a living space”.

Just don’t expect the steering wheel to vanish in the process…

The Ioniq 6 is expected to be revealed next year with a production start date currently earmarked for June as the brand does some final tweaks to its design and battery specs. These are said to include a switch to the 77.4kWh battery pack used in the Kia EV6, from the 72.6kWh battery used in the version of the Ioniq 5 which arrives locally.

It will closely be followed by the third Hyundai-branded vehicle to ride on the e-GMP underpinnings, the Ioniq 7, which is expected to be more like the Palisade large SUV in terms of size.