Tesla Model 3 vs Hyundai IONIQ 6
Two electric Sedans go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Hyundai IONIQ 6: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h, warranty and ground clearance, plus 1 other.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
Track the Tesla Model 3 & Hyundai IONIQ 6
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Tesla Model 3 starts from $54,900 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 opens at $65,500. That makes the Tesla Model 3 the more affordable entry point by $10,600.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $60,390 and $72,050 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
57.5kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 170kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 170kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
53kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.5kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Tesla Model 3 features a 15.4-inch touchscreen, while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 counters with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging and V2L that the Tesla Model 3 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Tesla Model 3 gets vegan leather upholstery while the Hyundai IONIQ 6 offers premium cloth.
Drivetrain
The Tesla Model 3 uses a Electric Motor producing 208kW and 340Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.1 seconds.
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 responds with a Electric making 111kW and 350Nm, paired to a single speed reduction gear driving the rear wheels.
The Tesla Model 3 has the clear power advantage at 208kW vs 111kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 60kWh (Tesla Model 3) vs 53kWh (Hyundai IONIQ 6), giving WLTP ranges of 520km and 429km.
Space & Comfort
The Tesla Model 3 measures 4,720mm long on a 2,875mm wheelbase, 135mm shorter than the Hyundai IONIQ 6 at 4,855mm (2,950mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai IONIQ 6 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 682L in the Tesla Model 3 and 401L in the Hyundai IONIQ 6, giving the Tesla Model 3 a 281L advantage.
For towing, the Tesla Model 3 leads with a 1,000kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 250kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.6m diameter
Average
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 10.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Tesla Model 3 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Tesla's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai IONIQ 6 if: You or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Tesla Model 3 takes 6 of 7 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the Tesla Model 3 has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai IONIQ 6?
The Tesla Model 3 is the cheapest at $54,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai IONIQ 6 by $10,600.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Tesla Model 3 has the most range at 520km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Tesla Model 3 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 170kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Tesla Model 3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Tesla Model 3 has the largest boot at 682L.
Which can tow the most?
The Tesla Model 3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,000kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Tesla Model 3 makes the most power at 208kW.
Track the cars you're comparing
Get price-drop and spec-change alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown of launches, deals and reviews.
- Price-drop alerts on these models
- Spec-change alerts
- Weekly new-car rundown
No spam, unsubscribe anytime. By subscribing you agree to receive marketing emails.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
