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Hyundai is gradually building a complete lineup of electric vehicles. By 2025, the Korean brand will have expanded its offerings with the budget-friendly Inster and the massive Ioniq 9.
The electric SUV, a technical cousin to the Kia EV9, is laden with promises: over 600 km of range, 24-minute charging, 7 seats, and all sorts of luxuries. Is it enough to compete with the likes of Volvo EX90, Cadillac Vistiq, and Tesla Model X?
After an initial static introduction earlier in the year, we finally got a chance to drive this family-oriented electric SUV to find out more. Here are our thoughts.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Specifications
| Model | Hyundai Ioniq 9 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.06 m x 1.98 m x 1.79 m |
| Power (HP) | 217 HP |
| 0 to 100km/h | 9.4 s |
| Autonomy Level | Semi-autonomous driving (level 2) |
| Main Screen Size | 12 inches |
| Car-side Plug | Type 2 Combo (CCS) |
|
Try it out |
Product sheet |
This test was conducted during an event organized by the brand.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Exterior: A Unique Style
Measuring 5.06 m in length, 1.98 m in width, and 1.79 m in height, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a behemoth, seemingly more suited for the vast American roads than the narrow city centers of Europe.
Its boldness goes beyond mere dimensions: the design also breaks from convention. The front end is largely covered by a black mask that houses the driving aid sensors, flanked on each side by pixel-like headlamps (a hallmark of Hyundai’s electric vehicles) that can be matrix LED.
The pixel theme extends across the mandatory upper light strip. However, only the pixels at the ends are illuminated; a requirement in Europe, unlike the models sold in the USA.
The side profile surprises with an extremely slanted windshield and a sloping roof, as well as a broad chrome insert behind the windows and thick wheel arches, which vary in appearance depending on the trim level: full plastic at the base level, body-colored insert at mid-level, and full color in the high-end versions (the wheels also vary, ranging from 19 to 21 inches depending on the finish).
The rear pays homage to old Volvo station wagons: the perfectly straight tailgate framed by vertical lights and the bulging wheel arches recall the V70 of yore. The treatment is, of course, much more contemporary with LED lighting (in pixel form), and even a third brake light that spans the upper part: during braking, the Ioniq 9 thus has an entire upper arch illuminated.
An original yet charming presentation that also benefits aerodynamics, with an air penetration coefficient (Cx) of just 0.259.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Interior: Spacious and Versatile
A Flattering Presentation
The Ioniq 9’s very American feel is also evident inside, with a sense of grandeur. However, the interior design matches the premium ambitions of the large Hyundai.
The dashboard, dominated by horizontal lines, may feature wood-like or genuine aluminum inserts depending on the trim, while amenities abound: 100-watt USB-C ports, endless cup holders, a UV-C sterilizer, and more.
The thoughtful touches extend to the rear, where the second and third-row passengers enjoy the powerful USB ports, their own climate control settings, and a large glass roof.
The seats can be clad in leather or even a surprising leather/wool blend in the base model, with two-tone configurations that add brightness to the interior. Overall, it’s a well-crafted cabin.
A Customizable Interior
By default, all Ioniq 9 models come with a 7-seat configuration—a rarity these days. In this setup, the front and middle seats are heated and even ventilated starting from the second trim level; the second row slides and reclines for easy access to the third row, which is also tiltable and foldable at the push of a button from the trunk.
The top-tier Calligraphy trim adds the option to replace the rear bench with two independent seats, which can either rotate to face the third row or transform into reclining chairs.
The option costs an additional 1,000 euros; if given the choice, we’d recommend the reclining option: our test model had the “rotatable” configuration, and the legroom when the seats are turned backward is almost non-existent.
Regardless, the space is generous. In the second row, legroom is ample, even when the bench is moved forward, allowing plenty of room for the feet of those in the third row.
As for the cargo space, it ranges from 338 liters with all seven seats in use to 908 liters with five seats. Add to that a front trunk (frunk) of 88 liters for two-wheel-drive versions or 52 liters for the all-wheel-drive models. A real cavern.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Infotainment: Feature-Rich
All Hyundai Ioniq 9 models are equipped with a pair of curved 12.3-inch screens: one for the driver, which is readable and customizable via wheel-mounted controls, and another in the center of the dash dedicated to infotainment.
The operating system, common to all recent Hyundais, displays a tile-based menu that slides, providing access to all controls. It requires some getting used to, but becomes quite navigable once the basics are mastered.
For data enthusiasts, there are several menus brimming with information, especially concerning the electrical system. It’s a good thing physical controls have been retained, especially for climate settings, even if the touch-sensitive buttons at their center require taking your eyes off the road.
Connectivity is extensive, with the capability for over-the-air updates (OTA), voice control powered by ChatGPT-4, and even on-demand features like specific wallpapers, custom lighting activation, or a simulated gearshift, similar to the Ioniq 5 N.
These features might seem unnecessary to some. More practically, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is standard, and a digital key system on smartphones (available on iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung) allows sharing with up to 15 users.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Route Planner: Comprehensive
As expected for an electric vehicle with a large range, the Hyundai comes with an integrated route planner. This feature, which calculates necessary charging stops on long journeys, is included on all Ioniq 9 models.
This function is quite intuitive, automatically calculating necessary stops and clearly displaying stop locations and estimated charging times. It also preconditions the battery in advance, ensuring you arrive at the charging station with the battery optimally warmed up, minimizing charging time.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Driving Aids: High Level
A Comprehensive Package
Given its premium positioning, the Ioniq 9 is loaded with driving aids, even offering level 2 semi-autonomous driving as standard: adaptive cruise control and active lane keeping are included, along with a semi-automatic overtaking system.
The Hyundai goes further with a heads-up display, 360° cameras, a display of blind spots in the instrument cluster (a Hyundai signature), and an interior mirror camera on mid and upper trims, while the latter even includes cameras in place of external rearview mirrors.
Generally Pleasant Operation
The driving aids function quite well: on highways, there’s little to report other than smooth responses and overtakes.
While we continue to prefer traditional mirrors for their broader viewing angle and different perspectives depending on the viewing angle, Hyundai’s camera solution is less problematic than others.
The placement of the screens is more natural than what you might find, for instance, in Audi models, and the small ruler displayed when signaling helps gauge the distance to the vehicle behind us more effectively. Finally, let’s acknowledge better visibility in low light conditions.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Driving Experience: A Large Vessel
One Finish = One Powertrain
The Ioniq 9 lineup is straightforward, as each trim level comes with a specific powertrain.
The entry-level (Creative) is powered by a single rear motor producing 218 HP, propelling the 2.55-ton SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. The next trim level up (Executive) adds a 90 HP front motor, making the Ioniq 9 an all-wheel drive, reducing the 0 to 100 km/h time to 6.7 seconds, and increasing the weight to 2.65 tons.
The top-tier Calligraphy trim benefits from the Performance powertrain, where the front motor matches the rear—providing a combined output of 428 HP and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds. Both all-wheel-drive versions also allow towing up to 2,500 kg, compared to 1,600 kg for the rear-wheel-drive model.
A Long-Distance Traveler
We tested the Performance version… which is more about balanced power than outright performance. Indeed, while the acceleration and response are far from sluggish, the weight and overall tuning mean that power delivery is rather progressive; quite different, for instance, from the explosiveness of a Tesla. This makes us cautious about the entry-level model, which seems underpowered.
The absence of sporting pretensions is also evident in the very light steering, which provides little feedback in corners, and the SUV’s heft is noticeable with some body roll. Nothing perilous, but corners aren’t exactly joyful—though, is joyful cornering really expected from a 7-seater SUV? That’s debatable.
In terms of comfort, Hyundai chose not to include air suspension; only the rear axle features automatic level control. However, comfort is not neglected, thanks especially to the plush seating. Be wary below 70 km/h, where vibrations can be felt in the cabin, likely due to the 21-inch wheels.
The Ioniq 9’s inertia is also noticeable when braking, but the Hyundai can rely on advanced regenerative braking, which can switch from free-wheeling to a “one-pedal” mode (for a full stop without touching the brake pedal) via the steering wheel paddles, always practical to use. The brake pedal itself offers a very natural feel.
Its true forte, however, is highway driving. Its heft keeps it steady as if on rails, while comfort becomes top-notch and the cabin remains quiet; thanks to the laminated glass and a noise-canceling system linked to the 14-speaker Bose sound system, which is also of good quality. It makes for very comfortable long-distance travel.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Range, Charging, and Consumption: Thanks to 800 Volts
A Huge Battery
While each version of the Ioniq 9 comes with its own motor setup, the battery choice is uniform.
It’s a hefty pack, boasting a usable capacity of 110.3 kWh. And since the Ioniq 9 is built on the E-GMP platform of the Kia/Hyundai group, it benefits from an “800 volt” architecture (actually 610 volts), which improves consumption and charging times.
On paper, the hefty Hyundai can travel up to 620 km on a single charge according to the WLTP standard, with a consumption of 19.9 kWh/100 km including charging losses. For my Performance version, the range drops to an even 600 km WLTP with a linked consumption of 20.6 kWh/100 km.
The charging times, however, are impressive. Thanks to a peak power of 232 kW, the Ioniq 9 can charge from 10 to 80% of its battery in just 24 minutes, and 57 minutes to go from 10 to 100%.
These are very competitive figures; only the recently updated Volvo EX90 beats it with a 22-minute charge time, while the Xpeng G9 demolishes all competition with its 12-minute charge time, albeit at unreasonable power levels (525 kW).
Real-World Figures Are Average
We had the Hyundai Ioniq 9 for a day, starting in Paris and looping through the heart of the Perche region.
The outbound journey, on secondary roads with some urban and fast road sections, resulted in an average consumption of 21.0 kWh/100 km—offering 525 km of range under those conditions.
The return trip was mostly on highways. At 110 km/h, the SUV Hyundai stabilized at 20.4 kWh/100 km, allowing for 541 km on a full battery or 378 km focusing on the 10 to 80% range, representative of a journey between two charging stations.
At 130 km/h, consumption rises to 25.9 kWh/100 km, equivalent to 426 km with a full battery or 298 km on the 10-80% range. In practical terms, the 360 km journey consumed 71% of the battery.
While the consumption figures aren’t groundbreaking, they are generally in line with other large SUVs over 2 tons. The large battery maintains good versatility, managing to exceed 2 hours of driving between two charges, even at 130 km/h.
Hyundai Ioniq 9Pricing, Competition, and Range: A Limited Market
As mentioned earlier, each trim of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is paired with a specific powertrain, making the price list easy to understand.
The dimensions and features of the large SUV naturally come at a cost, with a starting price set at 69,900 euros for the rear-wheel-drive version. The entry-level model is well-equipped, featuring 7 seats, semi-autonomous driving, a rear
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Maya Singh is a senior editor covering tablets and hybrid devices. Her work explores how these tools reshape digital productivity and learning. She also contributes to feature editorials on emerging tech.