I have some sad news for people who enjoy weird cars that are also nice to drive: Hyundai is dropping the Ioniq 6 from its lineup for 2026. The South Korean automaker confirmed the news to multiple outlets yesterday afternoon, saying it plans to sell only the high-performance, high-dollar N model in the U.S. going forward, albeit in limited numbers.
First launched in 2022, the Ioniq 6 is a sleek sedan with a catfish-style face that played counterpart to the all-electric Ioniq 5 SUV (big hatchback?) in Hyundai’s lineup. While it never sold as well as that car, the Ioniq 6, in my mind, was always the better choice, due in part to its fascinating styling and superior range.
Now that it’s dead, I feel like the Ioniq 6 is about to become the ultimate affordable commuter sedan for buyers shopping used, not only because of its range, but because it’s one of the strangest, most interesting-looking things on the road right now.
The Ioniq 6’s Death In America Was Sort Of Expected
While Hyundai hasn’t issued an official reason for discontinuing the Ioniq 6 Stateside, anyone who understands simple math could see the writing was on the wall. The more popular Ioniq 5 is built in Hyundai’s Ellabell, Georgia assembly plant, while the 6 is assembled all the way in Korea. That means it’s subject to a hefty 25% import tariff, which wasn’t part of the tariffs recently struck down by the Supreme Court, according to Car and Driver.
There’s also the elimination of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which knocked down the sales of electric cars across the board in the fourth quarter of last year. The Ioniq 5 was among those cars that took a sales hit, but according to sales data released by Hyundai, it actually sold more units of that car in the first two months of 2026 than it did that same period last year, when the tax credit was still around. Slashing prices by up to $9,800 probably had a lot to do with that increase.
The Ioniq 6, meanwhile, saw no such jump in sales. In fact, sales of the Ioniq 6 in the first two months of 2026 cratered by 70%, from 1,883 units to just 573 cars. Even before all of this tax credit drama went down, the 6 was a niche car. Now it’s even more niche, to the point where Hyundai can’t justify keeping it on showroom floors.
The ultimate Ioniq 6 die-hards need not worry, though, because the high-performance Ioniq 6 N will still be offered in America for 2026. That car is mechanically similar to the lovely Ioniq 5 N, with two electric motors delivering a combined 641 horsepower and all-wheel drive. There’s also a widened track and real aero, which includes a swan-neck rear wing that Hyundai claims can generate 220 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. It should also be the priciest Ioniq 6 offered in America, with an estimated MSRP of around $70,000.
The Thinking Person’s Used EV
While the Ioniq 5 remains one of the best EVs you can buy new or used, I think there’s a lot of potential for the Ioniq 6 to become the thinking person’s choice in the lightly used segment.
On the looks front, the Ioniq 6 outshines virtually anything else in its price range, at least to me. Its sloping roofline borrows much of its design from the original Prophecy concept shown back in 2020. Though the proportions aren’t as dramatic, I still think it’s incredibly cool that such a shape made it past the bean counters. Every time I see one on the street, I have to stop and look.
From head-on, the Ioniq 6 isn’t what I’d describe as stunning—note my catfish comment earlier—but it’s certainly not boring. In a world where most car designs look like they were bred from the same grey, unassuming crossover, being interesting is a huge win. And the Ioniq 6 has that in droves. Don’t get me wrong, the Ioniq 5 is a looker, too. But this car regularly turns heads and starts conversations in a way the 5 doesn’t.
The Ioniq 6 is pretty impressive on the range front, too. Go for an early model with the large battery and rear-wheel drive, and it’ll deliver 361 miles of range per charge, according to EPA estimates. While that figure isn’t as mindblowing as it would’ve been five years ago, it’s more than enough for the average buyer to commute for an entire week before having to juice up.
And it’s not like you’re really sacrificing on space much if you choose an Ioniq 6 over an equivalent crossover. One thing about the 6 is that it is far bigger in person than it looks in pictures. I first got one to drive for a review, and I was amazed by the roominess of the interior, especially in the back seat, where it felt like there was as much legroom as in my long-wheelbase Audi A8. The cabin is also stuffed with real, actual, physical buttons, which means it’s not infuriating to use (though I’d recommend getting a dark-themed interior, as I’m not sure how well the light-themed cabins will age).
If a used EV sounds like a bad idea, you have some time. There are still 419 brand-new Ioniq 6s sitting on dealer lots right now waiting to be sold, according to Cars.com. Personally, though, I think certified pre-owned is the way to go. You can get a low-mileage Ioniq 6 for half of what they go for new, and still have a warranty to back you up in case things go south. As someone with taste, that’s what I’d do.
Top graphic image: Hyundai; DepositPhotos.com
Great car but always looked like a melting block of butter to me!
Have you ever seen one with the trunk lid open? The size of the opening puts a 1985 Pontiac 2+2 to shame.
Mine has a powered open/ close trunk that can be programmed to auto open as you approach it . Great if your hands are full.rear seats easily fold down socan have decent room back there if needed.
I like trunks.
The frunk is very small and only really large enough to carry a charge cable or jumper.
I lease an Ioniq5. I would never be caught dead in the rolling catfish of the Ioniq6. To me it’s just too compromised in style, while the I5 looks like an 80s robot’s design for a boxy car.
I find they only look good in black.
A friend shopped them, but found the trunk was absolute bullshit compared to the hatch of a Ioniq5 (which he put a deposit on, until eventually buying a Mach-e).
But, I’d rock one as a daily. It has enough room for the family and typical shopping trips. I have the Excursion for larger items.
These are pretty peak commuter/2nd car EVs.
I’m OK with cars that resemble cockroaches being less common. I appreciate and resoect their aerodynamic efficiency, but I don’t care for them as a road vehicle.
Better hope the ICCU doesn’t decide to unalive itself while you own it though.
This is the Autopian, you can use the more accurate term, no need to self-censor.
Thanks for letting me know. Have no idea how it works here for text.
*kill
You can use your big human words here.
Best used car for people with taste but no eyes
The refresh looks good but the weird catfish looking front end on the original is not appealing
The only thing I find fascinating about the styling is how they used a dog dragging its ass across a carpet as inspiration.
Ha agreed. The facelift did a lot to fix this catfish look in my opinion, but it still looks a bit “frumpy” to me.
It also has vehicle to load capability. Offers a 120v / 15 amp outlet in the rear, or you can add an adapter that plugs into the charger port of a 120v 15 amp circuit. That’s enough to run a refrigerator , fan and maybe some lamps for a few days if you have a prolonged power outage and run an extension cord for the car.
The refresh fixed the front end design, but I bet 50% of shoppers disqualify it for the saggy butt alone. We are irrational beasts.
Desiring rear headroom and a usable trunk in a sedan is not irrational.
“People with taste”
You can say that. Say it as many times as you want. Doesn’t change how hideous this monstrosity is to many people, and when something is that polarizing it’s hard to argue that it has good taste.
I thought the best used car for people with taste was an Ineos Grenadier. Every time I see one, I think “that person has taste”.
Oh, no!
Ah. Never mind, then.
Meanwhile, the ID.4 will remain the official used EV of people with *bad* taste.
We love ours. Just picked up a 24 Ioniq 6 limited (sunroof, Bose, heated cooled seats, self parking, adaptive cruise, lane centering, phone digital key, ….loaded) 2 motor AWD for about half of the original MSRP. It’s a Hyundai CPO with 9 years left on the drivetrain warranty and 4 years left on the bumper to bumper. Sticker was $56k, we paid $28k. Only 7000 miles on the odometer, too good a deal to pass up. We sold our 23 bolt ev to car max for 16,400$. We purchased that 2 years ago and with the credit only paid 23k for it., so going to the Ioniq 6 was a decent upgrade. This one already had the dreaded ICCU recall done so no worries there. We only charge at home (level2) but I understand it’s one of the quicker level 3 charging vehicles around if you need that too.
It is very fast, very quiet, rides great, and has almost every option. Only a few complaints…
Wireless charging but no wireless CarPlay. Easily fixed with a $30 usb dongle.
Had a very good one pedal mode (i-pedal) but it doesn’t remember when you set it on. Always defaults to level 3 regen instead. One pull on the paddle puts it back into I-pedal mode though.
No spare so I added on and keep it in the trunk. Takes up some room but it’s our city car anyway so all is fine. Rear seats fold down so plenty of room in the back if needed.
I’ve only driven the 2 motor AWD but I can tell you it’s the quickest car I’ve owned ( faster then my turbo and super charged Miata’s I’ve had). Not a sports car, more of a GT. Feels planted in the turns with its low center of gravity.
I’ve gotten unsolicited comments from strangers that tell me it’s a cool looking car. With the long Hyundai factory warranties it’s a no brainer.
Wait, no wireless carplay? My ’25 Ioniq 5 has that. Maybe that was a 2025 infotainment upgrade?
I’ve a 24 so maybe they added it in 25. No big deal as the little ottoplayusb dongle adds it. Seems to work fine
It reminds me of the old Tatras. I wish it didn’t rely on touch screens for all of its functions. The earlier years of this car were delightfully slippery bastards, too.
They didn’t make it look like the 5 and the ICCU is still a thing. It’s a hard sell, but I am seeing sub $20k with AWD, which is tempting. On the whole, I can’t get over the fact that Hyundai hasn’t gone all in on the Ioniq 5 styling. Bizarre
A couple of those sub-$20k cars have CPO warranties, too, which makes them even more interesting
No. There’s no hatch.
This had such potential to have the usefulness of an old Saab, and they didn’t. This is a dealbreaker for me.
Not a hatchback; instantly disqualified. I need my cars to actually transport things.
Also it’s ugly.
I mostly agree. I just don’t know where else you’ll be getting ~300 miles of EV range with AWD at the price point that is being tossed around for lightly used examples
You’re literally describing the Ioniq 5
I am not. AWD 5s in the sub $20k area are the standard range trims
Ah, you’re right – I forgot there were different batteries. I guess if you’re going strictly on price that is hard to beat.
Rear seats fold down easily if that helps
Not really. I can put a whole dishwasher in the packaging in my hatchbacks and shut the trunk.
I can’t fit a dishwasher in any of my cars. So far, not a problem.
I can’t say I’ve transported a dishwasher
But have transported, in a compact hatchback: water tanks, bags of insulation, large TVs, lumber, gravel, sand, soil, large plants, a small tree, lawnmower, patio set, many many many boxes of Ikea, etc…
I’m not willing to accept the limitations of losing the hatch.
Precisely what I’m getting at. I don’t have a truck. I need my car to do truck things sometimes.
My wife has a CUV so I have the luxury of not needing to fit anything and everything in my sedan. The sedan is just for driving and transporting people on occasion. If I could only have one car, I would want a hatch shape.
Instructions unclear. Home Depot closes at 10pm tonight. What do I do.
What the fuck ever, sorry if you don’t like my example of things that fit in hatchbacks.
I looked at one of these back in 2023 (or maybe 2024) back when they were doing insane incentive stacking to move them. My local dealer had six of them on the lot that were over $13k off sticker, and a few lower trim ones that were $16k off (assuming you qualified for all the incentives). That was on top of the $7500 tax credit. I couldn’t help but see red flags on residual value and walked away. My wife was glad, because while I like the quirky styling she thinks they are hideous.
I mean, considering some of the prices I’m seeing on used models, you were definitely right about residual value. But if you’re willing to go used, it’s so much car for the money
Fair. If I’m ever in a position for an EV, they will be on the list to look at again.
Lets be real, these look like the saggy droop butt Infiniti J30 except not as handsome.
Yeah, I think these are awful looking. As if Hyundai were trolling people to see how bad they could make the styling language of the CLS look.
When I brought mine home my neighbor was sure I had picked up a Porsche. Exterior Styling doesn’t bother me, and the interior (light grey for us) is very pleasent.
“my neighbor was sure I had picked up a Porsche”
Kinda the way some neighbors are sure someone picked up a Land Rover when the new Santa Fe goes by?
I personally do not care for how these look they remind me of the Aztec where to seems to have like 3 or 4 different car stylings mixed into 1 vehicle. I would much prefer the Ioniq 5 over these I just wish the 5 was smaller.
Have you seen the 5 in person? Sure, it’s a relatively long vehicle, but it isn’t massive by today’s standards.
Oh I am not saying it is massive but from the pictures I have seen vs it in person (especially when compare to my Polestar 2) I really thought they would be a hot hatch size vs what they are which is almost cross over size (pretty much Rav 4 size)
My Ioniq 5 sits next to my GTI in the garage and it truly is super-sized compared to it. Overall though, very tidy and useful car for 2 adults, 2 kids and a small dog in the b*tch seat.
I always thought these gave off Citroen DS vibes, both styling and slight weirdness. I like them.
When the lease on my 500e is up, a lease-return Ioniq 6 is at the top of my list of things to replace it with.