Hyundai Ioniq 9 brings seventh heaven to the streets

Time was if you thought about a premium large Sports Utility Vehicle, the images 
collecting in your mind-bank would be of Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQE, ID Buzz LWB, 
BMW iX, Audi Q7 and of course, the family of Range Rover. In the large SUV 
segment, others like Peugeot’s 5008, Skoda’s Kodiak, Citroen e-Berlingo, SEAT’s 
Tarraco and VW Tayron vie for your Euros 
Then in mid 2023 KIA introduced us to their EV 9, all electric, 7-seater and 
impressed everyone with its easy way and quality. 
Now, complementing its considerable success in other EV segments, Hyundai have 
just released their Ioniq 9 from captivity, and on first impressions, it is more than 
capable of playing on this pitch with the established combatants. 
First Impressions 
Now, Hyundai have joined the fray, their new Ioniq 9, ready to state its claim on the 
premium 7-seater segment, with no small amount of well-founded audacity. While 
many will focus sales on the larger than average family and their needs, the space 
and ambience of the Ioniq 9 will certainly appeal to Hotels and Golf Clubs in equal 
measure. 
Following the launch of its cousin-car, the KIA EV 9, Hyundai have gone some way to 
distance the immediate relationship. The Ioniq 9 looks different, carrying Hyundai’s 
panametric lighting back and front, its street presence less boxy than the KIA, 
courtesy of a sloped roofline and rear wheelarch design, combining to somewhat 
camouflage its length of 5,060mm and 3,130mm wheelbase. It stands 1,790mm tall, 
is 1,980mm in width, so, at over five metres long, not a small vehicle and certainly 
not one to try and hussle through mountain passes without due respect for its circa 
two and a half tonnes. 
Inside Story 
The external identity of the Ioniq 9 is enhanced by the aforementioned panametric 
LED lighting, which make it instantly recognisable amid other metal. New owners 
can alter this lighting pattern via the Digital Features and Services (DFS) to 
personalise their presence. Stepping into the drivers’ side, the seat and steering 
wheel greet you with the tactility of a long lost relative, wonderfully bright, clear and 
yet, calm. It is wonderfully bright, the panoramic roof taking little away from 
headroom, as it endeavours to bring the sky into the cabin. A very handy centre 
console that sits between the two front seats provides 160mm of movement, wireless 
charging and walk through access. 
I must admit to liking how Hyundai deliver information to the driver, and here in the 
Ioniq 9, it is of such volume, that they cleverly allow for the majority of its access via 
voice command, thereby dismissing the need for screen searching and button 
location on the move. Six USB-C ports are in situ across the three seat rows, ensuring 
those who play or who are on business, don’t run out of power. 

Internal space, bearing in mind my 6’2” frame, allowed me size each row, where even 
the rear two seats and sloping roof did not intrude on my comfort. Luggage space is 
equally impressive, the front trunk, (frunk) delivering 88 litres of very usable space, 
while at the rear 338 litres are on offer with three rows in place. Fold down second 
and third rows and 2,494 litres are available. 
Road Drive 
On a short launch drive, the comfort factor was excellent, certainly planting the seed 
for a longer drive when I get access for a full test. My test model came with 
electrically adjustable steering and seating, including all three rows, allowing for the 
small and the tall to acquire the optimum comfort and viewing position for them. Fit 
and finish, together with materials used are difficult to criticise, the overall feeling 
within one of premium ambience. 
In our social and varying motor word, where family and business demand require 
specific vehicles to satisfy the need, Hyundai’s introduction of a 620km full electric 
7-seat premium offering, will be welcomed enthusiastically. Powerful enough to 
satisfy all bar those who need NASA assistance, the Ioniq 9 does not camouflage its 
intent, your seven passengers being glided along in spacious comfort to a far-away 
destination - very impressive 
A drag coefficient of 0.259 may be lost on many, but great effort has gone into 
allowing the Ioniq 9 slip through the air with minimum resistance, lower noise and 
increased fuel efficiency. 
The large driver console and centre screen combination, 2x 12.3,” deliver a vast 
amount of information, that thankfully can be accessed via Hyundai’s voice 
command AI assistant, a truly helpful and safe advantage over the distraction of 
wandering eyes and fickle fingers. 

It cannot be overstated how advanced the safety systems are on modern vehicles, and 
here with the Ioniq 9, the umbrella that covers your every move is worthy of 
acknowledgement. While it is hoped we may never need their intercession, the fact 
that Hyundai have them acting as our guardian angel, is definitely something to 
consider and specify when buying in any segment. Here, Hyundai are up to and 
above many. 
 Forward Collision Assist 
 Lane Keeping Assist 
 Blind Spot Collision Assist 
 Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist 
 Safety Exit Warning 
 Smart Cruise Control 
 Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control 
 Highway Assist 2 
 Lane Following Assist 
 Surround View Monitor 
 Rear Parking Collision Avoidance Assist 

 Forward/Blind-Spot Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist 
 Side Parking Distance Warning 
 Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 
Add to this the activation of cameras when turning left or right and the very 
informative Head-up Display, and the human frailty of driving is well covered. 
Ioniq 9 Long Range RWD 
Power output: Single e-motor, 215bhp, 387Nm torque 
WLTP combined range: 620Km 
Charging time: 10 – 80% in 20 minutes (350kWh) 
10 – 80% in 1hr 49minutes (50kWh) 
AC charge; 0 – 100% in 10 hours 
Elegance Trim 
110.3kwh 
€78,495 
Coming in 2026 
Ioniq 9 Long Range AWD 
Power output: Two e-motors, 309bhp, 605Nm torque 
WLTP combined range: 606Km 
Ioniq 9 Performance AWD 
Power output: Two e-motors, 429bhp, 700Nm torque 
WLTP combined range: 600Km 
Last Word 
It would be all too easy to grab the thesaurus and fling adjectives at the Ioniq 9. 
Should you be in the market for a comfortable, refined, true 7-seater, that comes with 
every comfort, convenience and safety feature your connected world desires, a test 
drive in the Ioniq 9 is not just recommended, it deserves to be mandatory.