Hyundai revealed Wednesday the brand new Ioniq 9, an all-electric three-row SUV — and its largest EV up to now — 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 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 acquired 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 disillusioned by the omission of some key – and funky – components we noticed on the Seven idea automobile.
Not that I can fault Hyundai. I blame U.S rules for influencing Hyundai’s determination to choose out of second-row seating that may swivel to face the third row. I imply, how cool wouldn’t it be for large sister to swivel her second-row seat round to torture her child brother? As somebody who doesn’t have children, I’m into it. We additionally gained’t get the digital facet mirrors. When you see a automobile with out facet mirrors you’ll notice how unpleasant they are surely – like an unpleasant pimple on a supermodel’s face.
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 additionally gained’t get the pillarless coach doorways that have 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 in regards to the manufacturing Ioniq 9.
The design is gorgeous with the Ioniq line-up’s signature pixelated lighting. I beloved it after I first noticed it on the Ioniq 5 and I adore it 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 facet the windswept roofline seems nice, emphasised by the steeply raked windshield.
The fender design leaves me somewhat 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 high. Nonetheless, the blacked-out part appears out of proportion, making it appear 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. Until you understand the entire story it doesn’t make sense. The truth is, the primary notice I wrote once they took the quilt off the automobile 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 flooring. Though the second-row seats don’t swivel, they do have a footrest and can recline for fast naps. Taller of us may discover that their toes don’t fairly clear the again of the primary row, however I think about it’s nonetheless a comfortable option to spend a highway journey. The primary-row driver and passenger seats also can recline for a sleep whereas charging.
The second-row seats within the pre-production mannequin I sat in wouldn’t slide ahead, so the third row was significantly cramped, lengthy wheelbase however. Don’t anticipate to suit an grownup again there and have an grownup reclining within the second row. I gained’t be capable of 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 may be 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 loads roomy, however I want it have been cooled. Everybody wants a chilly highway soda, proper? As for bigger merchandise storage, there may be practically 47 cubic ft of house within the rear with the third row folded down and the Ioniq 9 has a frunk with as much as 3 cubic ft of extra stowage.
Like different Ioniq merchandise, the sprint design is smooth 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 any have to avert your gaze from the highway simply to up the temperature a number of levels.
Additionally listed below are 100-watt USB-C ports for all three rows and an ordinary outlet within the cargo space to make use of the automobile’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 offered a number of specs to whet my urge for food. The SUV shall be accessible in rear- or all-wheel drive with the flexibility to cost from 10% to 80% at a 350 kW charger in optimum circumstances through 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 have been supplied for all-wheel drive), or a Efficiency mannequin that favors increased horsepower and torque.
I seen 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 via 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 need 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 couple of theme for the infotainment display? Simply go to Hyundai’s on-line retailer and also you’ll be capable of 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 subsequent administration doesn’t lower these incentives to ribbons.
