If you’re after a gigantic, super spacious, fully electric six- or seven-seat SUV that will travel 600km-plus on one charge, Korea has an answer for you with its new 5.0m-long 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9.
As Hyundai’s largest passenger vehicle ever, the new Ioniq 9 SUV will go on sale in Australia between April and June next year, when it will compete with the mechanically related Kia EV9 and European luxury offerings.
Powered by a 110.3kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery, the Ioniq 9 delivers a WLTP-estimated range of 620km in Long Range rear-wheel drive guise, when fitted with the standard 19-inch wheels.
Hyundai’s design principles of not having its range of vehicles look like clones of each other (hello, Audi?) have led the Ioniq 9’s design into new territory. While seemingly Ioniq in nature, it looks noticeably different from the brand’s other options from the rear and side.
There’s a full-width front light bar as seen other recent Hyundai products, as well as the brand’s ‘parametric pixel’ lighting elements, but there’s also a swoopy roofline, long wheelbase, and a distinctive ‘boat tail’ rear-end. It has a drag coefficient of just 0.259Cd when fitted with digital side mirrors – which are still to be confirmed for Australia.
Built on the company’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Hyundai Ioniq 9 joins Hyundai’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) lineup, which in Australia includes the smaller Ioniq 5 SUV and Ioniq 6 sedan. Once it arrives locally, it will serve as the brand’s flagship and most expensive model.
We flew to California earlier this month to test drive prototype versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 ahead of its local introduction.
How much does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 cost?
Despite riding on the same platform as the Kia EV9, the Ioniq 9 has a larger battery, and as such will likely be priced above its relative and rival.
For now, it’s unclear how much the Ioniq 9 will cost. For reference, the Kia EV9 is priced between $91,000 and $121,000 before on-road costs in Australia.
What is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 like on the inside?
Hyundai engineers told CarExpert they decided not to build an eight-seater variant because they wanted the Ioniq 9’s three rows of seats to feel spacious – as such, there are 2+2+2 or 2+3+2 configurations available.
Overseas model shown
If you only have two or three kids, we would absolutely recommend the six-seater variant because the ‘commander’ seats in the second row are fantastic and your kids will love you more for giving them their own space and a superior sense of comfort.
As for the driver, sitting inside the new Hyundai is akin to being in a full-sized Range Rover. There is an overwhelming sense of space and forward visibility in the driver’s seat.
At the same time – and not surprisingly given the size of the vehicle – there is a ton of storage space including clever features like a moving and cooled centre console bin that can serve both the front and second-row passengers.
We found the front and second-row seats to be comfortable and supportive, providing excellent outward visibility (both in 2+2 and 2+3 configuration); the third row is certainly big enough for large kids, but you wouldn’t want to stick a full-sized adult back there for long drives.
Although specifics for the Australian vehicles are yet to be confirmed, on a global level you can have the Ioniq 9’s lounge-like interior in a range of distinctive upholsteries.
These include:
- Dark Teal and Dove Grey
- Obsidian Black
- Dark Pebble Grey and Dove Grey
- Obsidian Black and Dove Grey
- Mud Grey and Creamy Beige
- Cognac Brown and Creamy Beige
- Dark Wine and Dove Grey.
The list of potential seat options also include:
- Relaxation Seats: Fully reclining seats in the first and second rows with leg rests
- Swivelling second-row seats, allowing passengers to face those in the third-row
- A slidable front console, which offers up to 190mm of movement
Note: Final specifications and options for the Australian market are still to be confirmed
Given the vehicle’s 800V electrical architecture and pure-electric drivetrain, the Ioniq 9 offers technology capabilities not often possible in internal combustion powered vehicles.
For example, the Ioniq 9 is equipped with high-output 100W USB-C ports for passengers across the first, second, and third rows, delivering consistent power directly from the vehicle’s high-voltage battery instead of a traditional 12V source.
This means even a modern power-hungry laptop can be charged using the vehicle’s power supply, much like using a conventional wall socket.
Additionally, a vehicle-to-load (V2L) outlet in the cargo area allows you to power and charge electrical devices and appliances using the EV’s battery through a standard electrical outlet.
The list of standard features include a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system situated within a single curved housing.
It would have been nice if Hyundai had adopted the same superscreen setup as its premium Genesis brand (which utilises one screen instead of joining two), but no doubt it has intentionally kept that exclusive to its more premium brand.
An eight-speaker sound system is standard, with a Bose 14-speaker system optional. Some other interesting features of the Ioniq 9 include the company’s so-called AI assistant, which is essentially a voice recognition system that will integrate with in-car functions.
Digital upgrades such as lighting patterns, streaming services, and customisable display themes can be downloaded via the vehicle’s infotainment system.
| Dimensions | Hyundai Ioniq 9 |
|---|---|
| Length | 5060mm |
| Width | 1980mm |
| Height | 1790mm |
| Wheelbase | 3130mm |
| Boot space | 620L (behind third row) 1323L (third row folded) |
| Under-bonnet storage | 88L (RWD) 52L (AWD) |
What’s under the bonnet?
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is available in three drivetrain configurations, and the company is yet to confirm the exact range figures for the entire lineup.
| Specifications | Long Range RWD | Long Range AWD | Performance AWD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 160kW | 70kW – front 160kW – rear | 160kW – front 160kW – rear |
| Torque | 350Nm | 255Nm – front 350Nm – rear | 350Nm – front 350Nm – rear |
| 0-100km/h | 9.4s | 6.7s | 5.2s |
| 80-120km/h | 6.8s | 4.8s | 3.4s |
The fastest variant can do the 0-100km/h run in just 5.2 seconds, which is frankly way faster than you will ever need to travel in a giant SUV such as this.
On the other hand, the variant with the longest range – the Long Range RWD – is more than 4.0 seconds slower at 9.4 seconds, which is probably just a little slower than you would like it to be.
As such, the mid-spec Long Range AWD is probably the one most buyers may go for, since it has a motor both on the front and rear axles and can do the 0-100km/h sprint in a very respectable 6.7 seconds.
From a charging perspective, AC charging maxes at 11kW, while the Ioniq 9 can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes using a 350kW DC fast-charger – which are virtually non-existent in Australia.
How does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 drive?
We came to Hyundai’s testing facility in California to drive the new Ioniq 9 – and although our time with the pre-production vehicles was limited, we got a general idea of how the car drives.
The Ioniq 9 is a big, big car. Despite being pressed multiple times, company executives would not give a weight figure, which suggests that it’s rather heavy – we think it’s probably heavier than it feels.
For context, the Kia EV9 weighs between 2312-2636kg (with a 76.09 to 99.8kWh battery), so we expect the Ioniq 9 to weigh a little more due to its larger battery.
Around Hyundai’s oval test track, the Ioniq 9’s weight was very much felt, with a noticeable balance shift around corners.
Ultimately, this is a car designed for families in suburban environments, and in those conditions which we attempted to mimic around a test track, the Ioniq 9 hides its size and weight well enough.
The Ioniq 9’s steering, throttle response, and general dynamics felt well-engineered in the Performance AWD prototype we drove, but it remains to be seen how Australian-delivered models fare on local roads.
The suspension system is specifically engineered for an electric SUV, with a MacPherson strut setup at the front and a multilink system at the rear. Although it lacks air suspension, self-levelling dampers are fitted and it certainly felt comfortable over bumps.
The all-electric SUV has a 2500kg braked capacity and offers several towing modes. For example, in trailer mode the vehicle automatically detects the trailer’s weight and adjusts the predicted range and performance balance, maintaining a 50:50 front-to-rear motor torque distribution.
Overall, our first impressions of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 were quite positive. If the company can get its suspension tuning right for Australian roads, there is no reason to think the EV’s expected near-3.0-tonne kerb weight would negatively impact its driving dynamics too much.
Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 safe?
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is yet to be tested by any safety authority. However, it does feature 10 airbags and three-row seatbelt pre-tensioners.
Standard safety features include:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot assist
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Driver attention warning
- Lane keep assist
- Rear occupant alert
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Safe Exit Assist
- Intelligent speed limit assist
How much does the Hyundai Ioniq 9 cost to run?
Australian figures are yet to be officially confirmed, but we believe Hyundai Australia will back the Ioniq 9 with its five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, and its high-voltage battery for eight years or 160,000km.
Like other Ioniq models, service intervals are expected to be 24 months/30,000km. We anticipate similar service costs to the Ioniq 5, which offers a capped-price plan for the first three services, at $610 per visit.
If you do service your Ioniq 9 with Hyundai, there are roadside assistance top-ups each time, following the first 12 months of coverage for free.
Furthermore, the new Ioniq 9 will come with a five-year subscription to Bluelink connected services, enabling a raft of net-based and remote features to be accessible via the infotainment system and the compatible smartphone app.
Hyundai Bluelink features:
- Automatic Collision Notification
- Emergency Call (SOS) function
- Connected Routing with live traffic updates
- Alert services including geo-fencing, valet, speed & time alerts
- Remote control of climate and vehicle functions
- Navigation Send-to-Car
- Voice recognition for POI lookup, vehicle controls
- Vehicle settings management
CarExpert’s Take on the Hyundai Ioniq 9
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a massive car – the biggest Hyundai has ever made. It won’t be cheap, and it will take the brand into new territory in terms of price and offerings.
In the first 10 months of 2024, Kia has sold just 490 examples of the EV9 in Australia, which suggests the appetite for these super large electric SUVs is not huge in our market (as a comparison, Toyota sold 13,464 LandCruisers in that same period).
The question remains whether the Ioniq 9 will attract additional buyers in this segment, or take sales away from sister brand Kia.
Either way, our first impressions of the car suggest it’s a more polished offering with better range, technology, and interior options – but likely also a higher price.
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