IM6 (Performance) Review: Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

Singapore’s EV market seems to grow more crowded by the month, and the SUV segment in particular has become a fascinating battleground. Every manufacturer approaches it slightly differently - some leaning heavily into technology, others chasing efficiency or performance.

IM, short for Intelligence in Motion, has now stepped into that arena with two models: the IM5 sedan and this, the IM6 SUV.

At first glance, the IM6’s silhouette might feel familiar. The sweeping roofline and high-riding stance echo the coupe-SUV trend that has become popular in recent years. But spend a little more time with it, and the car starts to reveal more personality than that initial comparison might suggest.

The Performance variant tested here certainly makes its presence known on paper, with a towering 572 kW (767 hp) and 802 Nm of torque. Yet after spending time with the car, those headline numbers feel almost secondary. The real story of the IM6 lies in how all of its elements - design, comfort, technology, and everyday usability - come together to create a surprisingly cohesive package.

Familiar Design With Added Character

The IM6 cuts a distinctive figure on the road.

While the coupe-SUV profile may remind some of other EV crossovers, IM has injected its own sense of character into the design. The front fascia carries sharper detailing and a stronger visual identity, while the body lines are accentuated by pronounced bulges that run along the flanks.

At the rear, the raised boot lip integrates neatly with the full-width brake light, giving the car a sporty visual flourish while also helping the tail look more sculpted and purposeful.

The Performance variant adds a little extra visual drama as well. Large 21-inch wheels fill the arches nicely, and behind them sit bright orange Continental four-piston brake calipers - a subtle hint that this SUV has serious performance credentials hiding underneath.

Comfort Takes Center Stage

Step inside the IM6, and the sporty exterior theme gives way to something far more relaxed.

Like many modern EVs, the cabin design is clean and minimal, but what immediately stands out is the quality of the materials. Nearly every surface you interact with feels soft to the touch, while the vegan leather upholstery has a pleasant, premium feel.

The front seats play a big role in making the cabin comfortable. They offer generous adjustability, including lumbar support, ventilation, and a manually extendable thigh support that helps drivers settle into an ideal seating position.

Rear passengers are equally well catered for. The seating position remains natural even for taller occupants, avoiding the knees-up posture that sometimes plagues EVs with floor-mounted batteries.

Storage is handled a little differently here. Instead of a conventional glovebox, IM has opted for a large open storage shelf beneath the central screen. It’s a slightly unconventional solution, but the space is generous enough to accommodate everyday items.

Connectivity could be improved slightly - there are only two USB-C ports available - though the 50-watts ventilated wireless charging pad up front helps keep devices topped up during most journeys.

The two-screen setup might initially seem excessive, but in practice, it works well. The secondary 10.5-inch touchscreen positioned between the driver and front passenger allows quick adjustments to vehicle settings without needing to reach across the dashboard, making small interactions easier while driving.

Tech-Enhanced Experience

Out on the road, the IM6 reveals where much of its engineering effort has been focused.

Yes, the 767 hp and 802 Nm available in the Performance variant mean acceleration is effortlessly quick; but more impressive is how the car behaves when you’re simply driving normally.

Keeping the suspension in its Comfort setting allows the air suspension system to smooth out most imperfections, making the IM6 feel calm and composed on daily drives.

One of the more noticeable features is how quiet the cabin remains while moving. Double-glazed windows and a soundproofed sunroof work together with IM’s Road Noise Control system, which generates anti-noise frequencies through the speakers to cancel out unwanted road sounds.

The effect is subtle but effective, creating an impressively hushed environment - one that also allows the 20-speaker audio system, complete with four roof-mounted sky speakers, to shine when you’ve lined up your favourite tunes.

Technology also plays a big role in making the IM6 easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheel steering reduces the turning circle to just 5.09 metres, making tight carpark ramps and narrow spaces far less intimidating.

Parking assistance features add another layer of convenience. The One Touch parking system can guide the car into lots automatically, while the Pull Out function helps it exit tight spaces. During our test, the parking system worked well three out of the four times I used it, while the ‘Pull Out’ function can occasionally decline to activate if the sensors deemed the situation too unpredictable.

Future-proofing is handled through the car’s 800V electrical architecture paired with a 100 kWh NMC battery, allowing DC fast charging speeds of up to 396 kW, with a 10 - 80% charge achievable in around 18 minutes.

During my time with the car, efficiency proved encouraging as well. While IM quoted 23.4 kWh/100 km, the car returned 21.8 kWh/100 km - a respectable figure given the performance available. Over three days of mixed usage with the aircon on, the estimated range was approximated at 278.6 km (IM suggests 505 km combined WLTP).

In A Nutshell

While the Performance variant understandably grabs headlines with its huge power output, many of the features that make the IM6 appealing are actually available in the more affordable “Luxury” and “Sport” trims.

The quieter cabin, comfortable seating, four-wheel steering, and thoughtful technology all contribute to making the car easy to live with day-to-day.

That’s ultimately where the IM6 makes its strongest case. Rather than relying on a single standout feature, it delivers a well-balanced package that blends design, comfort, usability, and technology into a cohesive whole.

And in an increasingly competitive electric SUV market, that sense of balance may prove to be its most valuable trait.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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