Hyundai has pulled the wraps off its newest and largest electric vehicle, the Ioniq 9, which will now serve as the brand’s electric flagship. Highlights include three rows of seating for up to seven people, up to 335 miles of range, and charging fast enough to move the needle from 10-80 percent in 24 minutes with 350kW fast charging.
With the Ioniq 9, Hyundai is hoping to build on the success of the smaller
and
models, aiming at those that design more space, more technology, and an even more premium experience. Here’s how it will live up to that name.
The Ioniq 9 Is Actually Big
The Ioniq 9 rides on Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), but this time it has been pushed to its limit with much longer dimensions. In short, the Ioniq 9 has a wheelbase of 123.23 inches, which is nearly half an inch longer than the
(122.8 inches) and more than an inch longer than the
(121.0 inches). This is the longest wheelbase ever on a Hyundai vehicle, and this translates into a more elegant exterior appearance and more passenger space.
Aesthetically, the Ioniq 9 adopts what Hyundai calls an ‘Aerosthetic’ design approach, achieving a remarkably low drag coefficient of 0.259 when equipped with digital side mirrors. The exterior features Hyundai’s signature Parametric Pixel lighting elements, while the streamlined silhouette and flush surfaces contribute to both style and efficiency.
Performance Is Decent, But That’s Not What The Ioniq 9 Is For
The Ioniq 9 is powered by a 110.3 kWh battery pack. This might give you the initial idea that we’re talking about oodles of range here, but in reality, it has been rated with an EPA-estimated 335 miles of range or 385 miles of range is you follow the overly generous WLTP ratings. This is, of course, for the most efficiency configuration, long-range, RWD model with 19-inch wheels. Opting for the AWD model, larger wheels, or any other trim levels will result in less real-world range, though, Hyundai has yet to reveal range specs for any other models. The brand does say that it can be charged from 10-80% charge in just 24 minutes using a 350 kW DC fast charger.
There will be a total of three powertrain configurations at launch, with the entry-level long-range, RWD model featuring a 160 kW (214 horsepower) motor, while the all-wheel-drive version coming with an additional 70 kW (94 horsepower) front motor. For performance enthusiasts, a dual-motor AWD variant boasts a 160 kW motor on each axle, which is enough for a 4.9-second sprint to 60 mph (or 5.2-second sprint to 100 km/h). Top speed for the AWD model with 21-inch wheels is 124 mph or 200 km/h.
A First-Class Passenger Cabin
The Ioniq 9 features what Hyundai refers to as its vision of premium electric mobility. The flat floor architecture brings with it features like “Relaxation Seats” in the first and second rows, complete with leg rests and Hyundai’s first massage system. Hyundai has even go so far as to include swiveling second-row seats, allowing face-to-face interaction between second and third-row passengers when stationary.
The vehicle’s Universal Island 2.0 console can slide up to 7.4 inches to provide easy access to storage for both front and rear passengers. Cargo space is also pretty decent as much as 46.72 cubic-feet of cargo capacity with the third row folder or nearly 22 cubic-feet with all seats in their standard configuration. As is standard in this space, the Ioniq 9 has a frunk that is good for 1.8 cubic-feet on AWD models or just over 3 cubic-feet on RWD models.
Technology And Safety
The most obvious piece of technology is the panoramic curved display that combines a 12-inch digital instrument cluster with a 12-inch infotainment screen. New features to the Hyundai brand include a UV-C sterilizer for small items, high-output USB-C ports powered directly from the high-voltage battery, and an AI-enabled voice recognition system. The vehicle also supports features on demand, which means you can buy more options after leaving the dealer on the fly if you want.
On the safety front, the Ioniq 9 comes with 10 airbags and Hyundai’s latest suite of advanced driver assistance systems. This includes things like Blind-spot collision avoidance, Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control With Stop And Go, as well as a number of other systems. You can learn about the entire offering at Hyundai’s dedicated Smart Sense portal
Pricing, Availability, And Why It Matters
The Ioniq 9 will launch first in Korea and the United States in the first half of 2025, followed by European markets later that year. While pricing remains unannounced, the vehicle’s premium positioning and extensive feature set suggest it will compete in the luxury electric SUV segment. We suspect it will undercut the competition by a fair margin in typical Hyundai style, but we’ll be watching for official pricing details early next year.
With the Ioniq 9, Hyundai continues its aggressive push into the electric vehicle market, targeting 23 EV models by 2030. This latest offering demonstrates the brand’s growing confidence in the premium space, combining practical innovation with luxury appointments in a package that should appeal to larger families looking to make the switch to electric mobility.
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