Hyundai has been winning plenty of fans of late with its bold and capable electric vehicles. It’s set to continue its run of fine form into the larger SUV segment with the new Ioniq 9.
The full-size SUV has been on the cards for some time. Hyundai has already established a strong beachhead in the EV space with the Ioniq 5 SUV, before expanding its lineup with the Ioniq 6 sedan. Now, it’s taking on the challenge of building something that can compete in the increasingly crowded market for large electric SUVs.
Hyundai revealed the Ioniq 9 on Wednesday night at Goldstein House in LA. This prompts an obvious question. Can the Korean automaker can take the same magic from its existing EV efforts and make it work it on a larger scale? Let’s find out.
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The important numbers indicate Hyundai has gotten the basic formula about right, while playing things a little conservatively. Notably, the Ioniq 9 won’t be a high-powered monster. Long-range rear-wheel-drive models will get a 214 hp motor, with AWD models adding an extra 94 hp motor up front. Performance models will have 214 hp motors front and rear for a (presumably) combined output of 428 hp. As you might expect, the Ioniq 9 is based on the successful E-GMP platform, as seen in Hyundai’s other EVs.
Those power figures won’t stun the world, but they were once considered totally adequate for a regular passenger vehicle. Indeed, the Performance model should be plenty swift, hitting 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The Long Range RWD model will be more sedate, taking 9.4 seconds to achieve the same.
Dimensionally, it’s a big vehicle, if not exceptionally so. It’s 199 inches long, and 78 inches wide. For comparison’s sake, this thing is a bit bigger than the Model X—about two inches wider and an inch longer. Notably, Hyundai hasn’t told us the weight—perhaps to avoid journalists wondering out loud if 200 horsepower is enough for a full-size SUV in this day and age.
Battery-wise, the Ioniq 9 will feature a 110.3 kWh battery. The Long Range RWD model is duly rated at 385 miles of range on the WLTP cycle; or 335 miles on the EPA cycle, with AWD models coming in somewhat lower. DC fast charging can be accomplished at 400 V or 800 V as required, and the Ioniq 9 will charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes if you hit up a 350 kW charger.
The styling is generally in line with what Hyundai’s been putting out of late, if a touch chunkier and more muscular. The Korean automaker calls this the “Aerosthetic” look, which is a word that’s easier to say the less you try and think about it. Meanwhile, the range figures are aided by the Ioniq 9’s drag coefficient of just 0.26, which is an admirable feat for a vehicle of this shape. The new model also makes good use of Hyundai’s now-trademark “Parametric Pixel” lighting design.
As a full-size, three-row SUV, the Ioniq 9 naturally aims to offer all the typical comforts and some of the excess that is common in this segment. To that end, it features a fully-flat floor, a unique virtue that’s easier to achieve with an EV drivetrain. It will also be available in multiple seating configurations to suit six or seven passengers. Hyundai will also offer swivel seats in the second row for select markets. This will allow those passengers in the second and third rows to sit facing each other “when the vehicle is stationary,” according to Hyundai.
Hyundai also touts the value of its special Universal Island 2.0 console. This design allows for a “walk-through” front row, since the console isn’t connected all the way to the dash. It also helps the cabin to feel more spacious and open. It has folding armrests for practicality, and it can be moved back and forth by 7.5 inches in order to give good access to both front- and second-row passengers as needed. There’s plenty of storage, too—0.2 cubic feet up top, and 0.45 cubic feet in the lower sliding tray.
Indeed, as a large SUV, big storage is the story all around. With all three rows of seating in place, you get a healthy 21.9 cubic feet of storage. Fold the third row, and that jumps up to 46.7 cubic feet. There’s also 3 cubic feet of storage in the frunk for RWD models, or 1.8 cubic feet for AWD models. North American models will also be able to tow up to 5,000 pounds if you’re thinking about pulling a trailer on your holidays.
Tech-wise, it’s the usual affair—you get a 12-inch display for the cluster and a further 12-inch infotainment screen as part of a panoramic curved display. Hyundai is also throwing in an AI voice assistant as is the current trend. Bose will supply a 14-speaker premium audio option, or you can stick with the basic 8-speaker setup.
There are also 100-watt high-output USB C ports for passengers in all three rows. Interestingly, Hyundai is running them straight off the high-voltage battery so they’re always available for use. There’s also a vehicle-to-load outlet in the cargo area if you want to run something off a standard power outlet.
Other nice touches include a panoramic sunroof option, and a UV-C sterilizer for cleaning small items like mobile phones and wallets. There’s even a fan cooler on the wireless charging pad for your smartphone, to keep it cool while it sucks up some juice. It’s clear Hyundai’s thinking about features people want, based on real user experiences in its previous vehicles.
What’s It For?
Fundamentally, the Ioniq 9 is well-equipped, as so many new cars are. What you’ll note is that I haven’t filled paragraphs with words like “opulent,” “artisinal,” or “bespoke.” This is a mainstream car, and it’s expected to land sub-$60,000 range. It’s perfectly nice, but it’s not trying to be a piece of over-the-top jewelry to show off your status.
Ultimately, the Ioniq 9 looks like… a solid large SUV for families wanting to go electric. It’s got solid range, enough power, and plenty of space. What it doesn’t have is anything magic to really catch your eye. Nothing on this car makes big headlines. Listen to me, though—that’s okay!
See, Hyundai isn’t trying to win over moneyed footballers and basketballers with this model. The Ioniq 9 isn’t dripping in exotic lion leather and fancy ass-massagers. It’s not an uber-luxury model built for stunting on people. It’s a big electric SUV to haul your family around in comfort and a decent amount of style. The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 showed Hyundai can get the fundamentals right for an electric vehicle. It just has to do the same with the Ioniq 9, and it should have a really solid vehicle on its hands.
If this is what Hyundai was going for, it looks like they’ve nailed it. All it needs now is to win over the market with good driving dynamics and its arguably solid aesthetics. I reckon they can pull it off.
Image credits: Hyundai
What is the separat horizontal elements on the wheel arches? Is it a rubber, non-slip material, so when the car is tipped over, it won’t slide?
Electric door handles…
Doesnt VW have an electric minivan on the market?
Can we get an EV version of the Staria minivan with a little bit of lift to deal with crappy American roads? Now that would be a sweet ride. This looks awkward, like Hyundai and Kia’s old styling attempts.
Wtf are those wheel arches?
Once again…nah. I’ll stick with the Pacifica hybrid. Looks better, better for loading/unloading kids, road trips harder. Does it drive as well as a pure EV? Of course not, but does that really matter when you’re driving six other loud and/or annoying humans around…
Man, is that thing ugly…
Such a waste. And that BMW-esque rectangular screen thrown on the dash…
A pity. The panoramic roof is a full and big one again, as opposed to the Palisade’s one.
I am curious of its V2L ability.. 100kW battery can power my house for a few weeks, would be handy if I can easily hook up to my panel some how in an emergency (like the Ford Lightning).
Isuzu called: they want their 2002 Axiom back.
Seriously, this is clumsily styled. Like many of Hyundai’s modern product, it will not age well and you’ll feel properly foolish for having kept it past 10 years. I pretty much only like the IONIQ 5 and face-lifted Sonata from them, at this point.
I see the Axiom cues, I was thinking a bit Chrysler Citadel concept in the shaping just less wagony.
Aside from the obnoxious wheel arch detailing that’s quite nicely styled. The interior for the front passengers also doesn’t have a bunch of random crap to get in the way like bizarrely shaped door pockets or a grab bar on the center console. The second row captain’s chairs might be a pain in the ass when it comes to small kids though, seeing as how they’ll drop stuff all under there and yank and push on the armrests. Though I guess with a flat floor that’ll be less problematic to clean.
The other manufacturers need to take note of this. I would set Hyundai as the current bar, at least in terms of aesthetics.
THANK YOU!! I was stuck behind a camouflaged one of these a few weeks ago in western Colorado. I couldn’t see any badging, but by the general styling I could tell it was a Hyundai. Even fully camouflaged it was butt ugly, especially when I passed it and saw how goofy the front light treatment was. Now that I’ve seen it without the camo…I wish they’d put it back on.
I generally try not to be too mean in the comments, but while I think they nailed the styling on the new Santa Fe, this is just…yuck, from every angle.
Am I the only one getting old-school boxy Volvo wagon vibes from the rear tailgate? It kind of looks like it’s been grafted on to an otherwise swoopy SUV ala a Tesla Model X.
I don’t mind it, but I think the 5, 6 and Kia’s take on the large EV SUV were more successful.
Yeah, I’d take the EV9 over this.
Kia Talisman and SsanYong Rodius lovechild. (Derogatory.)
I like parts, I don’t like parts. It’s way too busy in the sides, they well and truly overdid it trying to break up it’s slab-sided-ness.
Also, Minivans with hoods; SsanYong Rodius, Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna, the one that started it all, the Chrysler Voyager (I already said Dodge, but I was thinking of the newer one.)
It’s, a lot of them?
True! I think it’s the flat hood that throws me. Most minivans have a more continual-egg-like-shape in my eyes.
If you’re considering minivans with hoods, you gotta consider the minivans most infamous for it: the 2005-2007 GM U-bodies (Saturn Relay, Pontiac SV6, Buick Terraza, Chevrolet Uplander). They were GM’s attempt to beef up the U-body’s dismal frontal crash scores by grafting on a new bulky front end, and they actually had the temerity to market them as crossover-sport vans. That they were also the company’s laziest rebadges ever (they didn’t even change the exterior lighting) was lost on no one.
https://www.theautopian.com/gm-crossover-sport-vans/
I was just typing a reference to the Crossover Sport Vans too, down to the Autopian article link. Understandable that wouldn’t spring to mind for Lewin since they were spared even the CSV’s predecessor’s European cousin, the Sintra.
Kia Carnival is probably the most flat-hooded van we’ve seen since.
Yeah the sides are the most offensive part here. The surfacing and the wheel arches are all too much.
It shows a lack of confidence from the Hyundai designers. It’s difficult, but slab sides can be done well. The new Range Rover has almost no styling on its sides and it looks great.