Hyundai Ioniq 9 Review: Hyundai’s Biggest, Boldest EV Yet

What Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9?

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a large electric SUV and the most luxurious car Hyundai has built. It offers six or seven seats, a maximum range of 385 miles and the kind of cabin space usually found only in the very largest SUVs. Its closest relative is the Kia EV9, and its main rival is the Volvo EX90.

What makes the Hyundai Ioniq 9 stand out:

• Six- or seven-seat layout, with captain's chairs available in the middle row
• Up to 385 miles of range, and 24-minute 10-80% ultra-fast charging
• An aerodynamic figure comparable to that of a McLaren Speedtail, despite the car's size
• A 2,500kg towing capacity, level with the Kia EV9
• Seats that heat, cool, massage and recline almost flat
• Hyundai's first AI assistant, plus vehicle-to-load capability for powering equipment

What Does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Look Like?

Depending on the angle, Vicki sees hints of a Volvo, a Bentley, a Rolls-Royce and even a spaceship in the Ioniq 9's shape. The body is dominated by smooth surfaces and rounded corners, and pixel-style LED lights run across the front end, so it is not a car that goes unnoticed.

• Flush door handles that extend as you approach with the key
• Compact door mirrors, each with small blades to help the airflow
• A relatively flat tailgate framed by an arch of lights
• An aerodynamic efficiency similar to the McLaren Speedtail's, which helps range

How Much Boot Space Does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Have?

Boot capacity runs from 338 litres to 2,419 litres, which is slightly more than the Kia EV9 offers. A button in the boot folds all five rear seats flat, and a fitted carpet covers the resulting load floor. The same button raises the two rearmost seats again, although the middle row has to be moved back by hand, which is not difficult.

A small frunk under the bonnet is best used for charging cables and the vehicle-to-load accessory, which turns the car into a power source for camping gear or other equipment.

What Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9's Towing Capacity?

The Ioniq 9 can tow up to 2,500kg. That matches the Kia EV9 and is 300kg more than the Volvo EX90's rating.

How Does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Drive?

Performance and Powertrain

The all-wheel-drive Ioniq 9 weighs 2,610kg unladen and is powered by electric motors producing 427hp and 700Nm of torque. That is enough for 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds, which is swift for such a large car, and the delivery is smooth all the way to a 124mph top speed. Hyundai also sells less powerful versions, including a rear-wheel-drive model that gives up some pace in return for the longest range.

Driving Modes and Handling

Eco, Normal and Sport modes cover everyday driving, while Snow, Mud and Sand settings add help on slippery surfaces and can be selected with a single switch. The Ioniq 9 is not designed for attacking corners, but it steers through them easily and at a respectable pace when asked.

Ride Comfort and Cabin Noise

Ride quality is the Ioniq 9's strongest dynamic trait. Self-levelling air suspension keeps the car settled whether it is fully loaded or nearly empty, even on a bumpy, undulating road.

The cabin is quiet once everyone is settled in or occupied with a personal screen. Vicki says it does not quite match the serenity of a big electric BMW, but noise-cancellation technology uses sensors, microphones and the speakers to cancel tyre and road noise almost instantly.

What Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9's Range and Charging Time?

The maximum range is 385 miles, achieved by the rear-wheel-drive version. The Calligraphy is rated 12 miles lower, at around 373 miles. Charging that car fully from a 7kW home wallbox takes about 15 hours, while an ultra-fast charger takes it from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes.

Regenerative Braking

The regenerative braking is easy to use. Pulling the left paddle increases the braking in stages, much like dropping down a gearbox, and it can bring the car to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal. That is handy in town traffic. You can also turn regeneration off, so the car coasts freely when you lift off the accelerator.

What Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Interior Like?

Space is the first thing you notice inside the Ioniq 9, and the cabin has the relaxed feel of an executive lounge. The leather seats can heat, cool and massage their occupants and recline almost flat with leg support, which makes a short nap between journeys possible.

Materials, Storage and Tech

• A soft, eco-friendly headlining that is Vicki's favourite material in the cabin
• Ambient lighting in a range of colours, glowing gently from the doors
• A large centre console with cup holders, a phone charger and driving controls
• A box that sanitises small items with a 10-minute blast of UV light
• A gently curved screen that is simple to navigate and can fold the rearmost seats with a press
• Hyundai's first AI assistant, which can find local restaurants and suggest the best route to them
• Driver aids from downhill braking assistance to semi-autonomous motorway driving and remote parking

Not everything is perfect. The silver trim ahead of the front passenger may not suit every taste, and the glovebox door has more play than it should.

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Good for Rear Passengers?

Yes. Second-row passengers get large doors with a long section to grab when closing them, although soft-close would have been a welcome addition. The seats slide, recline, heat and cool, and there are plenty of cup holders and storage spaces. The flat floor means the middle passenger has room for their feet, and the panoramic roof lets in light, with side blinds for shade and privacy.

Is There Room in the Third Row?

It depends on who is sitting where. If the second-row passenger has not reclined fully, a person of Vicki's height can fit in the third row, but not for a long journey. The bench does not slide, although the backrests recline slightly. Cup holders, air vents, charging points and a light are provided, and the 14-speaker sound system with subwoofer and amplifier includes speakers back here too. Buyers wanting more room can choose the six-seat layout with captain's chairs in the middle row.

What Wheels and Tyres Does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Have?

The largest wheels available are 21-inch alloys, and the car tested here has them. They are fitted with Continental PremiumContact C tyres. The tyres use Continental's ContiSilent technology to lower road noise inside the cabin, and an EV-compatible marking shows they were developed for the extra weight, torque and efficiency demands of electric cars.

Tyre details:

• Continental PremiumContact C on 21-inch alloy wheels
• ContiSilent technology to reduce noise in the cabin
• EV-compatible marking for the weight and torque of electric vehicles

How Does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Compare to the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90?

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 is the Ioniq 9's closest relative. It has a different shape and drives in a more dynamic way, and for those reasons it is the one Vicki would choose. The Ioniq 9 counters with slightly more boot space and a very relaxed, spacious cabin.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Volvo EX90

The Volvo EX90 is the alternative that may suit families who want a more sophisticated feel. The Ioniq 9 has the higher towing capacity, 2,500kg against 2,200kg.

Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 Worth Buying?

The Ioniq 9 delivers what large families need: space, comfort and an easy-going character. Vicki's view is that everyone aboard will arrive after each journey in good shape and ready for the next. If she were choosing between the big electric SUVs herself, though, she would go for the Kia EV9.

The case for the Hyundai Ioniq 9:

• Huge interior with six- or seven-seat options
• Excellent ride quality from self-levelling air suspension
• Up to 385 miles of range and 24-minute ultra-fast charging
• 2,500kg towing capacity and vehicle-to-load capability
• Quick for its size, with 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds

Before you buy:

• The third-row suits shorter passengers on short trips
• No soft-close on the large rear doors
• Not as serene as the quietest big electric rivals, and not built for fast cornering
• The Kia EV9 offers a sharper, more dynamic drive