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The Hyundai Ioniq 6 Junk in the Trunk Test
When it comes to testing sedans, we don’t have many opportunities as they are not as popular anymore. This is especially true in the electric vehicle (EV) market.
We were thrilled this year as we have a new sedan in the mix, the Hyundai Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 takes the features we love from the Ioniq 5 hatchback/crossover and applies them to a sleek sedan body, while also offering sportiness and extended range.
Before diving into the cargo area of the Ioniq 6, it’s important to note that the sloping rear end hints at a smaller trunk space. According to the specs, it measures 11.2 cubic-feet, which is similar to what you would find in coupes or smaller luxury sedans like the Genesis G70 and Cadillac CT4.
The trunk itself is pretty standard and benefits from struts instead of hinges that can take up space. However, the slope of the open trunk is concerning. In the luggage tests, we typically use two midsize roller suitcases that would be checked in at the airport, two roll-aboard suitcases that just fit in the overhead compartment, and one smaller roll-aboard suitcase.
Unfortunately, everything didn’t fit in the Ioniq 6 trunk, One of the medium-sized bags had to be left behind, and the fancy bag was slightly smushed. A less rigid duffle bag would have been a better choice.
Comparisson
Comparing the Ioniq 6 to other Hyundai models, it becomes apparent that it offers less space than the Hyundai Sonata. The Sonata can accommodate everything with plenty of room to spare. The difference between 11.2 cubic-feet and 16.3 cubic-feet is significant.
There are a few other noteworthy features in the Ioniq 6 trunk. There are two little pulls that remotely fold the back seat, which is handy, but they stick down just enough to hinder fitting larger items inside. This is a design flaw I’ve noticed in other sedans as well. SUVs with side-mounted pulls or power-operated buttons have proven to be more practical in this regard.
On the topic of power-operated buttons, the Ioniq 6 SE may lack cloth seats and a wireless phone charger, but it does have a power trunk lid with a convenient “close trunk and also lock car” button. The button to open the trunk lid can be found next to the rearview camera and is not labeled in Braille (presumably).
Whats in the Frunk
Like most EVs, the Ioniq 6 has an underfloor storage area, but it is not large enough to fit even a cabin bag. It does come in handy for storing items like a charge cord and tire-patching kit, which were included with the car. However, these items can also be stored in the frunk (front trunk) since they are not frequently used unless charging the EV with a 120-volt outlet. In fact, the frunk of the Ioniq 6 is spacious enough to accommodate these items perfectly.
When comparing the Ioniq 6 to the Ioniq 5, it’s clear that the Ioniq 6 offers a smaller and less practical trunk. However, the Ioniq 5 also falls short in terms of cargo space despite its seemingly generous 27.2 cubic-feet specification. Both models suffer from a sloped liftgate opening, which reduces their overall utility.
Now, the question is whether the limited cargo space found during our Hyundai Ioniq 6 Junk in the Trunk Test is acceptable considering the stylish design of both the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5. I’ll leave that decision up to you.