Tesla Model 3 vs Hyundai IONIQ 6: The electric saloon showdown

It’s time for another electric car face-off – this time, we’re putting two of the most compelling electric saloons head-to-head.

In the red corner, we have the Tesla Model 3, the car that arguably kickstarted the mainstream electric revolution. In the blue corner, there’s the Hyundai IONIQ 6, the ‘electrified streamliner’ that’s here to prove Korean engineering can give the Americans a run for their money.

Both are sleek, both are electric, and both are excellent options for your next electric car lease.

And the best news?

Both are available to lease right now. But which one deserves a spot on your driveway?

Grab a coffee (or a tea, or a water, or really any beverage of your choice – we don’t judge), and let’s dive into the details.

Overview

The Tesla Model 3 has become something of a modern icon.

It’s Tesla’s smallest and most affordable model, sitting below the Model Y SUV in their line-up.

What makes it special?

Well, it’s well-equipped, surprisingly good to drive, and very competitively priced for what you get. When you factor in the long range and Tesla’s world-beating Supercharger network, it’s a brilliant choice for your next lease deal.

There are four different versions to choose from, including a Long Range variant designed to maximise distance between charges, and a Performance model promising acceleration that’ll give a Porsche 911 a proper headache.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6, meanwhile, is Hyundai’s answer to the premium electric saloon market.

It’s based on the same underpinnings as the taller IONIQ 5 and shares some of that model’s distinctive styling cues, including those eye-catching pixel-look lights.

But where the IONIQ 5 is practical and boxy, the IONIQ 6 is all about that swoopy, streamlined silhouette. It’s dubbed the ‘electrified streamliner’ by Hyundai, and you can see why – this car has been shaped more by wind tunnel results than design committee meetings.

It’s a very good all-around electric car.

Looks

Let’s start with the obvious – these are two very different-looking cars.

The Tesla Model 3 was refreshed with a new look in 2023, and it’s made all the difference. It now looks more sophisticated than the previous version, with a subtle nose job up front and a few tweaks at the rear.

Nothing drastic, but the sharper headlights and improved aerodynamics make it look like a natural successor to Tesla’s original 2008 Roadster.

The whole effect is clean, minimalist, and undeniably modern.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 takes a completely different approach.

It’s different and distinctive, which is exactly what Hyundai was going for. The company was one of the first to move away from the ‘Russian doll’ model of car design, where every car in the range looks like a scaled-up or scaled-down version of its siblings.

Instead, Hyundai talks about a ‘chess set’ approach – each piece (or car) has its own distinct character while still belonging to the same family.

The IONIQ 6 features some neat detailing, including the pixel lighting that’s rapidly becoming a Hyundai signature, clever use of transparent plastic, and those distinctive lower vertical elements at the rear.

Interior

Step inside either car, and you’ll immediately understand their different design philosophies.

The Tesla Model 3 interior is the definition of minimalism.

The dashboard is essentially nothing but a slab of wood, a full-width air vent, and a portrait-oriented 15.4-inch touchscreen. Everything from adjusting the door mirrors to changing the steering wheel position is controlled through a combination of that touchscreen and the scroll wheels on the steering wheel.

It sounds like it might be frustrating, but it actually feels quite upmarket once you get used to it.

The build quality is good, with soft-touch materials everywhere you look, and everything feels tactile and pleasant.

The driving position is excellent too – you sit relatively high up by executive saloon standards, though the thick, angled windscreen pillars can sometimes block your view at junctions.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 takes a more traditional approach, and the interior layout will be familiar to anyone who’s spent time in an IONIQ 5.

You get the same conjoined 12.3-inch digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

There are small touch-sensitive buttons for the climate controls, which can be a little tricky to hit accurately when you’re driving – but at least you’re not forced to use the touchscreen to adjust the temperature.

One nice touch is the amount of storage space on offer in the roomy interior. There’s space under the centre console, along with two cupholders and another cubby under the armrest. The higher-spec Ultimate trim even adds ‘Relaxation’ front seats, which fully recline so you can lounge in comfort while the battery’s charging.

Though we should mention that forward visibility is slightly hampered by wide windscreen pillars, and the rearward view is badly compromised by the IONIQ 6’s unusual rear styling.

But all models come with front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and blind spot cameras in the wing mirrors though, so you won’t be flying blind.

Practicality

Both cars are more practical than their sleek saloon shapes might suggest.

The Tesla Model 3 offers good rear head and leg room, and it feels pleasingly airy thanks to tall side windows and that broad glass roof. The rear seatback splits in a 60/40 arrangement, and can be folded down when you need extra cargo space.

The boot opening isn’t huge, but there’s a good amount of space for luggage – 425 litres in total, thanks partly to a huge well underneath the main floor.

You also get an extra 88 litres of storage in the ‘frunk’ under the bonnet, which is perfect for storing charging cables or keeping muddy boots away from your main luggage.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 offers lots of leg room whether you’re in the front or rear seats, though head room is less generous thanks to that swooping roofline.

There’s an abundance of storage space dotted around the interior, and the huge rear doors make getting in and out very easy.

The boot is a bit more compromised than the Tesla’s, with a slightly narrower opening. You get 401 litres of space, which is wide and long but pretty shallow.

There is a 45-litre frunk though (which shrinks slightly in the AWD model) for the charging cable, though you won’t get much more than that in there.

Technology

This is where things get really interesting, because both cars showcase completely different approaches to in-car technology.

The Tesla Model 3 has that big, bright 15.4-inch touchscreen that’s intuitive to use and quick to respond. It’s loaded with useful features like navigation and web browsing, plus entertainment apps including Spotify and Netflix.

There’s even a driving game you can play using the steering wheel and pedals when you’re parked up.

You get two wireless phone-charging pads below the infotainment screen and a couple of high-powered USB-C ports for rapid device charging. Tesla have also included several modes that are there for no reason other than to make you laugh – you can play games, mess with the sat nav, or use the whole car to provide a ‘light show’ where the windows open and close and lights flash to Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

There’s no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support though, with Tesla preferring to use their own method of smartphone integration.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 offers a more conventional approach with its 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s responsive with fairly sharp graphics.

Some of the icons are quite small and can be a bit fiddly to use on the go, but you do get some useful physical shortcut buttons.

All models include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and over-the-air updates. The built-in sat nav system is also good and can direct you to nearby charging stations – handy when you’re running low on juice.

Range

Range anxiety is becoming less of an issue with modern electric cars, and both of our contenders deliver impressive figures.

The Tesla Model 3 offers different ranges depending on which version you choose. On standard 18-inch wheels, the entry-level RWD has an official WLTP Comb range of 318 miles, rising to 436 miles for the Long Range RWD.

The Performance version manages 328 miles – but if it’s an exhilarating drive you’re after, it’s the variant you’ll want to lease.

As with all EVs, the real-world range will be lower than the WLTP figure, but the Model 3 gives you unrestricted access to Tesla’s Supercharger network along with seriously impressive charging speeds – up to 170kW for RWD and 250kW for other versions.

With these speeds, you can charge the battery from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 uses the same 77.4kW battery across the range, although the AWD version is heavier and uses electricity less efficiently.

Officially, the AWD has a WLTP Comb range of 322 miles on a full charge, compared with 338 miles for the RWD model.

The max charging speed is a seriously impressive 233kW, meaning a 10-80% charge can take less than 20 minutes in ideal conditions – assuming you can find a fast enough charger.

Performance

Both cars offer rapid acceleration and engaging driving experiences, but they go about it in different ways.

Even the entry-level Tesla Model 3 RWD – which has a single electric motor – can officially sprint from 0-60mph in a rapid 5.8 seconds. The Long Range versions are even faster, and the range-topping Model 3 Performance is a 510bhp monster with a 0-60mph time of 2.9 seconds.

Body control is impressive on twisting country roads, and the car never really bumps over imperfections or small potholes.

It’s relatively light compared to rivals, which allows it to stay remarkably upright through corners while generating plenty of grip.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 offers two power options.

The entry-level RWD has a single 225bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels, managing 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds.

To match the Tesla’s pace, you’ll need the more potent 321bhp dual-motor option, which adds a second electric motor driving the front wheels for four-wheel drive capability – this version can do 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds.

The IONIQ 6 puts in a convincing performance elsewhere too.

Body lean is well contained when cornering, with plenty of grip. The steering is light, and the car is effortless to drive, almost floating down the road.

Specifications

Both cars come well-equipped as standard, but they take different approaches to options and upgrades.

The Tesla Model 3 comes with plenty of luxuries across the range, including climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and keyless entry.

Other than an upgraded 17-speaker sound system, there’s no equipment difference between the Long Range and entry-level RWD models.

Even the options list is refreshingly short – apart from metallic paint and different alloy wheel designs, the only real options are Enhanced Autopilot and Full Self Driving Capability (though this isn’t quite as advanced as in the US models).

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is available in two trim levels: Premium and Ultimate.

Even the entry-level Premium trim gets you plenty of standard kit, including heated front and rear seats, dual-zone climate control, wireless phone charging, and an EV heat pump for more efficient heating in cooler weather.

Ultimate trim adds a head-up display, 360-degree parking camera, sunroof, Bose sound system upgrade, and ventilated front seats. You also get Hyundai’s excellent five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, with the battery pack covered by a separate eight-year, 125,000-mile warranty.

Both cars also make excellent business car lease options, offering significant tax benefits for company car drivers thanks to their zero-emission status.

Verdict: Which electric saloon should you choose?

Choosing between these two is a bit like choosing between a Swiss Army knife and a specialist tool – both will do the job brilliantly, but they’ll do it in very different ways.

If you want cutting-edge tech, unrestricted access to the world’s best charging network, and that minimalist Tesla experience, the Model 3 is hard to beat. It’s rapid, refined, and packed with features that’ll keep you entertained on long journeys.

If you prefer a more traditional approach with excellent build quality, longer warranty coverage, and slightly more rear passenger space, the IONIQ 6 makes a compelling case.

Both make excellent car lease choices, and honestly? You can’t go wrong with either.

It really comes down to whether you prefer Tesla’s tech-first approach or Hyundai’s more conventional premium car experience.

Whichever you choose, you’ll be driving one of the best electric saloons on the market.

And isn’t that a nice conundrum to have?