It might be almost a year since launch, but the 'streamliner' design of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is no less breathtaking. It starts at the front with the faired-in headlights, deep front air dam with silver edging. It moves on to the 6's silhouette, which is lower and more tapered from the side, with the same flush door handles as the Ioniq 5, to the arch-filling standard 20in alloy wheels. 

More distinctive from the back, with its raked style, this Hyundai EV has not one, but two rear spoilers, and is it just us, but is the clear light bar stretching across the rear influenced by the Porsche 911? Elsewhere, there's more silver detailing for the rear apron and overall it looks far more exotic than its Hyundai badging would suggest. 

To sum up, you're unlikely to miss this Hyundai, as the Ioniq 6 is attractive and distinctive in equal measure. Made even more unusual here, with our test car's Gravity Gold matt finish paint - which in our opinion, it carries off well.

Inside the Ioniq 6 we still wish the driver's seat dropped lower. The driving position is largely the same as the Ioniq 5, but we feel a more laid-back position would suit the curvy styling of this car better. Apart from the driving position, the feel remains refreshingly different to its sister car. What has remained the same, is the switchgear and infotainment screens, are largely in the same position. 

The last Ioniq 6 that we drove on the UK launch was fitted with unnecessary digital wing mirrors, giving a point to the winged corners of the 6's dash. These are usually where the screens are fitted that go with the mirrors. Despite our car being in top-spec Ultimate equipment grade, it had the standard mirrors, making the dash wings a bit redundant. Elsewhere, we really like the textured door cards, that look like ripples - although the door bins are a bit on the tight side. There's a full-length centre console and four lights in the steering wheel horn push, instead of any Ioniq badging, which indicate the state of the battery, and change colour according to drive mode. Overall, despite its attractive design, the Ioniq 6, even in range-topping spec, just doesn't feel as special inside as key favourite and current 'Electric car over £40,000,' winner - the BMW i4. 

The interior feel spacious, but taller passengers might moan about the curvy styling, with heads rubbing  the headlining. The 401-litre boot is a good size and deep, but its practicality is hindered by the high loading lip and smaller opening. 

Last time we drove the 321hp and 605Nm full-fat, all-wheel drive version. This time we have the 223hp and 350Nm rear-wheel drive version. They all have the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5, but both have a larger 77kWh battery and standard 800V charging, equalling 350kWh ultra-fast charging compatibility and a standard battery heating system to optimise charging times. 

The two-wheel drive is certainly the Ioniq 6 version to choose for the most range, as it has a claimed 338 miles. This seems pretty reliable, as we saw around 300 miles to a charge in everyday use. 

It might be rear-wheel drive, but this Ioniq 6's 7.2-second acceleration still felt quick off the mark. Elsewhere, the steering is reasonably sharp and despite the considerable weight, it handles well, and is more involving than the all-wheel drive version. Overall, it lacks the precision that makes the BMW i4 such a fun and involving drive. Maybe some sort of 'N' involvement could be in order, although we understand there's no plan for such a version - unlike the Ioniq 5. 

Not a cheap option, but very likeable in range-topping rear-drive form. If it was more fun and involving to drive, it could take class honours. As it is, we think the Ioniq 6 is a fine alternative to the BMW.