2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 First Look
This all-new three-row electric crossover offers flexible seating options and 300-plus miles of driving range on a single charge.
Hyundai
Hyundai is adding yet another electric model to its stable, this one a three-row crossover. The 2026 Ioniq 9, unveiled at the 2024 Los Angeles auto show, will join the compact Kona Electric, the Ioniq 5 crossover, and the Ioniq 6 sedan in Hyundai's growing EV lineup.
In addition to the model's standard rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrains, the largest and newest Ioniq will feature unique interior features and a projected driving range of 335 miles on a charge.
Hyundai
The Ioniq 9 Has Original Styling and a Versatile Interior
Just as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 wear highly differentiated sheetmetal, the Ioniq 9 strikes out on its own stylistically. Its exterior is clean, with a light bar across the front and vertical taillights. The headlights feature an intelligent front-lighting system that helps you avoid dazzling the drivers of oncoming vehicles. The fenders are accentuated with horizontal creases above the wheels and muscular surfacing.
A curved roofline adds some character and is said to improve the vehicle's aerodynamics: Hyundai claims a 0.27 coefficient of drag for models equipped with conventional side mirrors. In selected markets only, the automaker will offer the Ioniq 9 with cameras in place of the side mirrors, which further reduces aerodynamic drag. The company also claims this is its first model without visible antennas.
The Ioniq 9's interior is punctuated by elliptical elements, such as those on the dashboard and door panels. Narrow air vents are almost hidden in a dark band below the instrument panel. Hyundai is also using sustainable materials, including wool upholstery and fabric made from recycled plastic. Available two-tone upholstery puts one color on the top portion of the seats and another on the bottom, rather than the traditional color blending of an insert within the seatback or seat bottom.
There will be room for six or seven occupants, and the combination of a flat floor and extended wheelbase — the longest of any Hyundai model — makes for ample space in the cabin. The first and second rows can be equipped with what Hyundai calls Relaxation Seats; they can recline fully and have built-in leg rests and a massaging function. Hyundai suggests these could be used while waiting for the vehicle to charge.
The second-row seats can also rotate 180 degrees so that occupants can face rearward toward the third-row bench when the vehicle is stopped. Plus, there's a minivan-like Universal Island 2.0 console between the front seats that can slide rearward so second-row passengers can access it.
Hyundai
The Ioniq 9 Features All the Tech You'd Expect
A wide, curved display panel houses two 12.0-inch screens — one for digital gauges and the other for the infotainment system. An eight-speaker sound system comes standard, while a Bose setup with 14 speakers and 5.1-channel surround sound is optional. The speakers are also used to play virtual driving sounds in the cabin, as well as for an active noise-cancellation function that reduces perceived road noise.
For device charging, there are 100-watt USB-C ports for occupants in all three rows, plus a wireless charging pad with a nonslip surface and an integrated cooling fan to prevent device overheating. In some markets, Hyundai will fit the Ioniq 9 with a UV-C sterilization compartment, which can accommodate and clean the surfaces of small items like cellphones and keys.
Moreover, the Ioniq 9 is capable of receiving over-the-air (OTA) software updates. This enables Hyundai to offer a "features on demand" service, wherein owners can purchase personalized OTA upgrades through a digital store. Options may include special lighting animations when a door is opened and additional audio streaming options including Amazon Music and Soundcloud.
And of course, this SUV will boast all of Hyundai's driver-assistance tech, including blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic assist, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beams.
Hyundai
The Ioniq 9's Pack Is Sizable and V2L Capable
The Ioniq 9's battery pack has a capacity of 110.3 kilowatt-hours that is said to provide about 385 miles of range as measured on the European test cycle. The EPA-estimated range is expected to be lower, as it typically is compared with the European test cycles. That said, Hyundai is still targeting ratings of more than 300 miles of range for all variants.
The battery can charge at a rate of up to 350 kilowatts, allowing it to go from 10% to 80% in a claimed 24 minutes of charging time. In some markets, green lights integrated into the steering wheel will display the battery's charge status. The Ioniq 9 will launch with a NACS charging port, making it compatible with Tesla Superchargers as well as the forthcoming Ionna network.
Like other Hyundai EVs, the Ioniq 9's battery can be used to power devices; while the Ioniq 5 and 6 require an adapter that plugs into the external charge port, the Ioniq 9 provides juice using a household-style outlet in its cargo area.
The Ioniq 9 will also support vehicle-to-home power delivery, which, with the right equipment, can provide power from its battery to the building when the electric grid is down.
Three powertrains will be offered. The Long Range RWD model has a motor making 215 horsepower in back, while the Long Range AWD model adds a 94-hp front motor. The Performance AWD version has 215-hp motors on both axles and is said by Hyundai to accelerate to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds. The Long Range RWD and AWD versions take a claimed 6.7 and 9.4 seconds, respectively, to reach the same speed.
An Auto Terrain mode is designed to use AI to identify road conditions and select the ideal drive mode for the situation. The Ioniq 9 is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds and has a feature that automatically detects the trailer's weight, taking it into account when calculating the remaining driving range.
Hyundai
By Early 2025, Hyundai's New Electric SUV Will Be on Lots
Hyundai said the Ioniq 9 will be available in the first half of 2025. Pricing hasn't been disclosed, but it is likely to be an expensive model in Hyundai's lineup. It will be assembled at a new Hyundai factory in Georgia and is expected to qualify for the federal EV tax credit.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
David GluckmanDavid Gluckman has over a decade of experience as a writer and editor for print and digital automotive publications. He can parallel park a school bus, has a spreadsheet listing every vehicle he’s ever tested, and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. When David’s not searching for the perfect used car, you can find him sampling the latest gimmicky foodstuffs that America has to offer.
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