Hyundai has just unveiled its entry in the three-row electric SUV segment and the 2026 Ioniq9 looks to be a great competitor for shoppers already eyeing corporate sibling Kia’s well-received EV9 – or almost any other largish midsize three-row EV.
There are a few of them out there right now, including the venerable Tesla Model X and the Rivian R1S, the two Hyundai considers the Ioniq 9’s prime competitors. Others that three-row EV shoppers might consider include the upcoming Cadillac Vistiq. Pricing gets a pretty hairy after that as the segment enters luxury territory: Volvo’s EX90 starts at $81,290 and Mercedes’ EQS SUV starts at $105,550.
The Ioniq9’s targeted range of 300 miles-plus in all trims puts it at or near the front of the pack in that all-so-important category, while its upscale interior, abundant technology and smooth, sculpted exterior kick it into the premium or near-luxury classes – even if its expected pricing doesn’t.
While Hyundai and Kia have the same parent and often share a lot of things under the skin between models, the two have done a great job of separating their offerings based on looks, interiors and even power output.
That remains the case with the Ioniq9 and EV9.
Kia’s EVs typically are a bit sportier, Hyundai’s a bit more mainstream, and Hyundai usually prices its models slightly lower than Kia’s.
The Ioniq9 shares some of the of the EV9’s slab-sided, muscular exterior design language, but is much smoother and more cleanly sculpted. The Hyundai is almost two inches longer and with an inch more wheelbase than the Kia. It also is almost an inch taller.
Pricing
Hyundai hasn’t released Ioniq9 pricing, but the base long-range 2025 Kia EV9 starts at $61,395, including destination charge, so we expect the Hyundai to start at around $58,000 when it goes on sale in Spring 2025.
It will be offered as a 50-state model and will be built at Hyundai’s U.S. plant in Georgia, so should qualify for the full $7,500 federal clean vehicle tax credit if the incoming Elon Musk-influenced Trump administration doesn’t do away with it, as some pundits worry might happen given Musk’s antipathy toward programs that might help competitors of his Tesla EV operation.
Power and Stuff
The Ioniq9 will be available with three drivetrains: a single-motor, rear-drive layout and two dual-motor, all-wheel drive version, one labeled “performance.” There will be a least two trim levels, Luxury and Calligraphy.
The single-motor rear-drive version is rated at 215 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, the dual-motor all-wheel drive at 303 hp, and the dual-motor AWD performance version at 422 hp.
Hyundai said the Ioniq9 with performance powertrain will be capable of a 4.9-second sprint from zero to 60 mph while the standard AWD version will cover the distance in 6.2 seconds. The single-motor trim will need 8.4 seconds.
Battery, Range and Charging
The Hyundai’s’ battery is a tad larger that the EV9 long-range battery: 110.3 kilowatt-hours versus the Kia’s 99.8 kWh. Hyundai said all trims of the Ioniq 9 should get 300-mile (or greater) range ratings from the EPA. Only one EV9 trim tops the 300-mile mark.
Hyundai also has equipped the Ioniq9 with a Tesla Supercharger-compatible NACS charging port – no adapter needed – for access to Tesla’s industry-leading nationwide network of DC fast chargers. An adapter will be needed, of course, to access CCS (non-Tesla) chargers, including Level 2 home chargers using the CCS standard – which is most of them, although many home charging station makers are now offering a choice of CCS or NACS connections. The CCS adapter comes with the vehicle.
With its 800-volt system, the Ioniq9 can make use of DC fast chargers of up to 350 kilowatts and, when hooked up to one that’s running at full capacity can bring a 90% depleted battery back to to 80% of capacity in 24 minutes.
We expect it will come equipped with 11 kW Level 2 charging capacity for home charging.
Here’s What Else We Know
As with other Hyundai EVs, a pair of 12.3-inch digital driver info and infotainment screens in a curved glass housing dominates the dash.
Vehicle-to-load power is standard with an adapter, and vehicle-to-home capability is available.
There will be multiple driving modes including “Terrain” for snow, mud, and sand, as well as the usual economy, everyday driving and sport settings.
Rear-drive versions can tow up to 3,500 pounds while AWD versions can handle up to 5,000 lbs.
All photography courtesy Hyundai.