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
Where’s the mention of the tiny side mirrors? They are so small I’m assuming they are cameras. Too bad there is no dash picture to see where they’d stick the side camera displays.
Update: Other pictures show bigger side mirrors, but seems digital is an option. Car and Driver has a picture of the dash with monitors for the side mirrors
Other than the fenders, I like it. And I’m with Lewin on this and its non-resemblance to a minivan.
only having rear facing seats when stationary? Boo.
over in Europe there’s a minivan they offer there that the second bench row of seats comes facing forward, or rearward.
when the 2nd row faces backwards, the bonus is, everyone can get in and out comfortably without having to move seats around, or awkwardly climbing.
I think it looks oddly proportioned, and I’d likely avoid it just because I think I’d smack my head every time I tried to get in the driver’s seat with that steeply raked back windshield.
21.9 cubic feet behind the seats isn’t bad for a 3-row! I’m actually impressed – my Odyssey has 38.4 and that’s an INCREDIBLY large volume, My Outback’s aound 34…
This actually stands a chance of being an actual, functional family vehicle.
I wonder how much range you lose if you throw a cargobox up on the roof…
Why are the wheel well arches made up of so many parts? That’s the most bizarre thing about this to me
Between this and the new Santa Fe I feel like Hyundai’s designers have been kidnapped or something. These hideous things are clearly a cry for help.
I love square butts and I cannot lie
Mucho cargo room ya’ can’t deny
When you’re hauling construction waste
Key fob in hand the rear gate gets sprung
Wanna pull up tough ’cause you notice that back was stuffed
Deep in the mulch I’m carryin’
Tulip bulbs I can’t stop buryin’
Oh, baby, I wanna plug you in
And charge your battery up
My homeboy tried to warn me
That’s a minivan! (It’s so corny!)
I’m tired of magazines
Sayin’ crossovers are the thing
Take the average driver and ask him that
It’s gotta’ pack much back
So, drivers! (Yeah!)
Drivers! (Yeah!)
Your daily driver got much trunk? (Hell yeah!)
Tell ’em to drive it! (drive it!)
Drive it! (drive it!)
Drive that pseudo-van
Hyundai’s got back!
I really love the rims that look like the old Alpina Ronal rims. BMW should really bring those back.
They look undersized for some reason.
No sliding door, no dice.
Thanks Lewin, I needed a laugh this morning!
I applaud the dual tone seats, but …. shouldn’t they have flipped the scheme and put the dark color on the seats, and light color on the seatbacks?? you know, for “spills” and “such” ?
I think the large, 90% of a minivan is a smart move for the US. Minivans are dead here and will never be a big thing again. The stigma is too strong.
Just design a perfectly good minivan, then start making it less functional until you get a SUV form factor. Slope the rear roofline downwards! Give it a long(er) hood! Take away the sliding doors! There you go. Honda Pilot.
I love minivans. But I know that sentiment is there. My wife literally says no to minivan and instead wants an SUV so that she won’t look like a soccer mom. Which is hilarious, because more 80% of them are driving SUV’s.
Wish it could change.
Drive her to a practice soccer field and ask her what all those women there are driving and if they are soccer moms or not lol
Oh believe me. The point has been backed up with evidence, but the mindset is locked..for now. I will not give up my goal.
while this does seem to be the case on dealer’s lots, there are tons and tons of minivans driving around everywhere I go, and they aren’t all that old. Such a strange development.
I think we can all agree it looks a lot like a Volvo V70 in the back, but am I the only one seeing a little second gen Fiat Panda? The tall door and the equal window part, the license plate and the lights, it just looks a lot alike to me.
Yeah, the Volvo V70 lights, 100%. I also see Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in the rear window and the overall side profile makes me think of a Nissan Stagea that’s had an allergic reaction to a bee sting. That sounds negative but I actually don’t mind it.
I can see the Staega, but which Pajero Sport are you talking about? The first gen or a newer one? I don’t really see it yet. Unless you’re talking about the rear side windows, which do have the same upcut to them.
Yep, the current one and the rear side window upcut is exactly what I meant.
Yeah, I see it. This is an interestingly styled car for sure. I don’t hate it, but I don’t love it either.