Three years after unveiling its Seven idea on the Los Angeles Auto Present, Hyundai is utilizing that very same present to debut the manufacturing 2026 Ioniq 9, a big three-row SUV that’s a sibling to Kia’s EV9. (The identify was modified from 7 to 9 to go away room for extra future Ioniq fashions.) It’s a wild-looking factor, with even wackier styling than the idea that helps it effectively glide by means of the air. Hyundai describes the Ioniq 9 as being aimed toward shoppers who worth house, privateness and rest.
Like practically all of Hyundai Motor Group’s new EVs, the Ioniq 9 rides on the modular E-GMP platform, with some new upgrades. Each model of the Ioniq 9 has a 110.3-kWh battery pack mounted within the ground, powering both a single electrical motor on the rear axle or a pair of motors, one for every axle. The bottom Lengthy Vary rear-wheel-drive mannequin makes 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, adequate to go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. Choosing the Lengthy Vary AWD trim provides a 94-hp motor to the entrance axle for a complete of 303 hp, bringing the 0-60 time down to six.2 seconds, whereas the highest-end Efficiency AWD trim has a bigger entrance motor that ups output to 422 hp and has a 4.9-second 0-to-60 time. All-wheel-drive Ioniq 9s can tow as much as 5,000 kilos, whereas the RWD one can pull 3,500 kilos.
It doesn’t matter what model of the Ioniq 9 you go for, it’ll have an EPA vary of a minimum of 300 miles. For optimum vary you’ll desire a RWD Ioniq 9 with 19-inch wheels, which may have a 335-mile vary, however even the Efficiency AWD mannequin with 21s will hit the magic 300-mile mark, one thing Kia can’t say for the EV9. Just like the facelifted Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 9 may have the Tesla-style NACS charger at launch. Hyundai says you’ll have the ability to cost from 10 to 80 p.c in 24 minutes when utilizing a 350-kW charger, and the Ioniq 9 may have vehicle-to-load capabilities.
You’ve the Ioniq 9’s design to thank for these vary figures. Hyundai says the Ioniq 9 has a drag coefficient of 0.269 (or 0.259 with the digital camera mirrors we don’t get within the U.S.), which is spectacular for such a giant automobile — as some extent of comparability, the Hyundai Palisade has a 0.33 drag coefficient, whereas the smaller and far much less spacious Tesla Mannequin X has a 0.24 determine. Lots of the Ioniq 9’s aerodynamic prowess has to do with its swept-back windshield and streamlined roofline that manages to nonetheless embrace roof rails and do with none type of spoiler, plus new energetic air flaps, a specifically formed underbody, hidden antennas and optimized wheel designs. In a primary for Hyundai the Ioniq 9 has aluminum fenders and quarter panels, which scale back weight and in flip additional improves its effectivity.
Past simply how aerodynamic it’s, I feel the Ioniq 9 is a standout design within the section. It appears like a contented robotic from the entrance, with a large pixel gentle bar stretching throughout the nostril and tall banks of pixel lights within the bumper performing as the primary headlights, and as a substitute of a grille there’s a darkish translucent panel hiding sensors and cameras. The fender flares give the phantasm of squared-off wheel openings, completed in black on common fashions with body-color inserts, whereas the Calligraphy will get all the cladding in physique colour — Hyundai says these fender flares may very well be changed with wider models on future off-road or efficiency fashions.
The rear haunch contains a “Hanbok Line” impressed by the collar of conventional Korean clothes, and together with the subtly flared arches and tapered roofline, it provides the phantasm of a a lot wider physique. I really like how the window trim kicks up on the D-pillar to kind the design of the roof rails, and all the glass is tremendous flush. The rear finish is the Ioniq 9’s standout design factor, with pixel lights that wrap across the tailgate like an arch and tapered-in glass that creates a spoiler lip hiding the rear wiper. The Ioniq 9’s design undoubtedly received’t be for everybody, but it surely’s completely for me.
Regardless of that sloping roofline, there’s a gigantic quantity of house inside, which is admittedly what’s necessary in a three-row crossover. The Ioniq 9 is 199.2 inches lengthy general, practically equivalent to the Mannequin X, however its 123.2-inch wheelbase is 6.5 inches longer than the Tesla (and greater than an inch longer than the EV9’s). It has extra second- and third-row headroom and legroom than the Kia as properly. You’ll have the ability to get the Ioniq 9 with both a three-across bench seat or a pair of captain’s chairs within the second row, and the center and again rows can each be power-folded up and down by way of controls within the cargo space. The second-row seats have a one-touch folding setup that makes it tremendous straightforward to climb into the best way again. With the third row of seats in place the Ioniq 9 has 21.9 cubic ft of cargo house, and folding the third row opens that as much as 46.7 cubic ft, each of which put it on the prime of the section. You rise up to three.1 cubic ft of house within the frunk, too.
The inside design isn’t as radical as that of the skin, however there are a bunch of cool components, just like the pill-shaped door card designs which have good textures and gentle ambient lighting. A big curved display screen combines the 12-inch gauge cluster and 12-inch central touchscreens, and there are a bunch of bodily buttons and knobs for the local weather controls, sound system and different incessantly used gadgets. There are a bunch of storage cabinets and trays and tons of high-powered USB-C ports all through, In prime Calligraphy trim the Ioniq 9 feels fairly luxurious, with recycled supplies and attention-grabbing materials being put to good use.
Along with entrance seats which have a rest mode with built-in leg rests like on the Ioniq 5, the second-row captain’s chairs recline tremendous far again and have their very own leg rests, and they are often lined up with a laid-back entrance seat for a really lounge-like expertise. (In addition they get a therapeutic massage perform, thank god.) The Common Island heart console could be slid again seven and a half inches for simpler entry by the second row, and it has a number of deep storage cubbies that may be opened from the entrance or the again. Sadly, the U.S. received’t get the Ioniq 9’s second-row seats that may swivel to face the third row. Blame our pesky security rules for that. If you wish to chill out whereas charging or ready in your children’ soccer sport to set free, or if you wish to do some in-car tenting, the Ioniq 9’s local weather management system can solely run within the rear of the automobile, saving you vitality.
Different tech options embrace over-the-air updates, a UV sterilizer for issues like your telephone or pockets, an improved EV route planner and journey data pages, an AI voice assistant, and a web based retailer that may promote downloadable upgrades like new gentle signatures and media streaming apps — don’t fear, Hyundai received’t be charging subscription charges for issues like heated seats. An elective 14-speaker Bose system has energetic sound deadening through the use of sensors within the wheel wells that sense noise and vibration. The Ioniq 9 additionally has each security function you’ll be able to consider each energetic and passive, together with a brand new rear-seat monitor that may detect the respiratory of a sleeping child beneath a blanket.
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 will enter manufacturing within the U.S. within the first half of 2025 on the firm’s plant in Georgia, happening sale shortly thereafter. We don’t have any phrase on pricing but, however a beginning MSRP within the low-$50,000 vary looks like a secure guess. Hyundai says it expects the Ioniq 9 will qualify for the complete $7,500 federal tax credit score, so long as that’s nonetheless a factor by then.
