Hyundai Ioniq 6 gets steely-eyed styling overhaul for mid-life update

• Radical redesign for the Hyundai Ioniq 6
• New N Line model with sportier styling
• First teaser for hot Ioniq 6 N

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was already a striking machine when it broke cover in 2022, but a mid-life update has taken things a step further. It still sports the distinctive ‘streamliner’ shape with its sweeping curves, but a redesigned front bumper and a pair of slim LED headlights have given the new Ioniq 6 a dramatic new look.

Also introduced with the new Ioniq 6 is the N Line trim level. It brings a sportier edge to the electric saloon, with a unique front bumper and some black styling touches. But lurking in the background of one of the photos is our first glimpse at the Ioniq 6 N, a hardcore, performance-focused EV that’s due to arrive this summer. 

What’s changed for the new Hyundai Ioniq 6?

It’s all about the styling for the Ioniq 6’s mid-life update. There’s an entirely new front end, with a sharper, more angular look than the outgoing car. The key change is the new headlights, which are now separated into daytime-running lights above and main units below.

The new daytime-running lights sit low and wide, echoing the look of the latest Hyundai Kona, while the main headlight units are disguised within the black bumper. Hyundai describes it as a “shark nose” design, lending the Ioniq 6 a far more aggressive look than before. There’s also a clever system of flaps in the front bumper to control the flow of air through the battery pack.

The Ioniq 6 N Line goes about things a bit differently. You get the same slim LED lights of the regular car, but the lower bumper features wider openings and more pronounced aerodynamic elements. It’s just a bit sportier-looking overall, and gives us a good hint about the styling of the upcoming Ioniq 6 N. 

There are some changes at the back, too. The outgoing car’s chunky rear spoiler has been removed to create a cleaner silhouette, although the lower ‘ducktail’ spoiler has been extended to maintain the same aerodynamic performance. In one of the photos, we can just about make out the back of the upcoming Ioniq 6 N, with its blue paintwork, chunky lower bumper and giant rear wing.

Inside, the new Ioniq 6 will keep the same dual-screen setup as the outgoing car, along with the physical controls for cabin climate. The centre console has been tweaked, though, and the dashboard and doors are finished in a new material for a “more premium feel”. Oh, and there’s a new steering wheel, too.

The optional side-view cameras have been made standard-fit for the new Ioniq 6, replacing the traditional wing mirrors. They were an optional extra before, costing £955, but they've been redesigned and fitted to all Ioniq 6s this time around.

What about technical details?

Hyundai hasn’t confirmed any technical changes for the new Ioniq 6 yet, but we expect it to pick up the same upgrades as the updated Ioniq 5, given that the two cars share their platform. That could mean an 84kWh battery for Long Range models and a 63kWh unit for the base car. Both battery packs are bigger than those in the current car, so we’d expect a range increase from the current 338-mile maximum.

Then there’s the Ioniq 6 N. Again, no technical details have been confirmed, but it’s likely to inherit the same 641bhp, dual-motor setup from the bonkers Ioniq 5 N. That could result in a 0 to 62mph time of as little as 3.4 seconds, making it one of the fastest four-door cars around.

How much will the new Ioniq 6 cost?

Hyundai is yet to confirm UK pricing or specs for the new Ioniq 6, but more information should be released before the car goes on sale later this year. We’d expect a small price increase over the current Ioniq 6, which costs from £47,000.

Find the latest new and used Hyundai Ioniq 6 deals on our sister site Auto Express