Hyundai revealed Wednesday the brand new Ioniq 9, an all-electric three-row SUV — and its largest EV so far — based mostly on the Seven idea that we noticed in 2021. (Look, no person stated car-naming protocol needed to make sense.)
The SUV, which made its debut on the Los Angeles Auto Present and can come to the U.S. market in spring 2025, joins the smaller Ioniq 5 SUV and Ioniq 6 sedan as Hyundai works in the direction of its purpose of 23 all-electric fashions by 2030. And with Hyundai skipping the 7 and eight nameplate, the automaker has left itself open for future merchandise.
I received a glimpse of the Ioniq 9 forward of its debut on the Los Angeles Auto Present. Whereas I didn’t get to drive it, I used to be impressed by the inside house and general design, and upset by the omission of some key – and funky – components we noticed on the Seven idea automotive.
Not that I can fault Hyundai. I blame U.S laws for influencing Hyundai’s choice to choose out of second-row seating that may swivel to face the third row. I imply, how cool wouldn’t it be for giant sister to swivel her second-row seat round to torture her child brother? As somebody who doesn’t have youngsters, I’m into it. We additionally received’t get the digital aspect mirrors. When you see a automotive with out aspect mirrors you’ll understand how unpleasant they are surely – like an unsightly pimple on a supermodel’s face.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 additionally received’t get the pillarless coach doorways that had been teased on the Seven idea; and the one nod to the SUV’s “hygienic interior” is a UV-C sterilizer that may decontaminate smaller objects like telephones, wallets, and masks.
What does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 have? Fairly a bit.
Right here’s what the Hyundai Ioniq 9 does have
Nonetheless, there is sufficient to like concerning the manufacturing Ioniq 9.
The design is gorgeous with the Ioniq line-up’s signature pixelated lighting. I cherished it once I first noticed it on the Ioniq 5 and I find it irresistible right here. The rear boat-tail design is equally interesting with only a contact of Volvo XC90 styling within the tail gentle form. From the aspect the windswept roofline seems nice, emphasised by the steeply raked windshield.
The fender design leaves me a bit of perplexed. On decrease trims, the fender is blacked out, giving the phantasm of a squared-off design, highlighted by a body-colored eyebrow on the prime. Nevertheless, the blacked-out part appears out of proportion, making it seem like the wheels are too small. Additional, in higher trims with out the blacked-out fenders, the separate eyebrow piece stays, protruding like a sore thumb. Except you recognize the entire story it doesn’t make sense. The truth is, the primary be aware I wrote after they took the duvet off the automotive was, “What’s up with the fender?”
The Ioniq 9 has the longest wheelbase of any Hyundai in the marketplace, and that interprets to loads of inside house and a flat ground. Though the second-row seats don’t swivel, they do have a footrest and can recline for fast naps. Taller of us would possibly discover that their toes don’t fairly clear the again of the primary row, however I think about it’s nonetheless a comfortable strategy to spend a street journey. The primary-row driver and passenger seats also can recline for a nap whereas charging.
The second-row seats within the pre-production mannequin I sat in wouldn’t slide ahead, so the third row was notably cramped, lengthy wheelbase however. Don’t count on to suit an grownup again there and have an grownup reclining within the second row. I received’t be capable to make a judgment on how the second and third rows share the inside house till I get right into a manufacturing car with fully-baked seats.
There’s loads of room for cargo inside, with a cool sliding middle console that may be opened from the primary or second rows. The 2-tiered construction is lots roomy, however I want it had been cooled. Everybody wants a chilly street soda, proper? As for bigger merchandise storage, there may be almost 47 cubic toes of house within the rear with the third row folded down and the Ioniq 9 has a frunk with as much as 3 cubic toes of further stowage.
Like different Ioniq merchandise, the sprint design is modern and pleasing. There’s a 12-inch digital gauge cluster augmented by a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen all beneath one pane of glass. The HVAC system will get guide buttons and dials so there isn’t a have to avert your gaze from the street simply to up the temperature a number of levels.
Additionally listed here are 100-watt USB-C ports for all three rows and an ordinary outlet within the cargo space to make use of the automotive’s 110.3 kWh battery to energy exterior home equipment if want be.
Though I didn’t get an opportunity to drive the Ioniq 9, Hyundai supplied a number of specs to whet my urge for food. The SUV will likely be out there in rear- or all-wheel drive with the flexibility to cost from 10% to 80% at a 350 kW charger in optimum situations by way of its NACS charging port. Patrons can select a Lengthy Vary mannequin that gives 335 miles on a cost with rear wheel drive (no vary specs had been supplied for all-wheel drive), or a Efficiency mannequin that favors larger horsepower and torque.
I observed that the standard drive modes of Consolation and Sport are augmented with a Terrain mode, with additional sub-modes for Mud, Snow, and Sand. I can’t think about of us driving this factor by the desert, however then once more Hyundai has fielded the Telluride within the tough-as-nails Rebelle Rally and are available up on the rostrum greater than as soon as, so who is aware of?
For individuals who desire a little bit of customization, Hyundai has a brand new Options on Demand system. Searching for a cool lighting signature upon opening the door? How a few theme for the infotainment display? Simply go to Hyundai’s on-line retailer and also you’ll be capable to buy and obtain digital upgrades to your coronary heart’s content material.
No phrase on pricing but however Hyundai says the Ioniq 9 will qualify for the complete $7,500 tax credit score, assuming the following administration doesn’t reduce these incentives to ribbons.
