PROS ›› Excellent inside, glorious efficiency, daring design CONS ›› Costly, heavy, hard-sell over Palisade
Electrical SUVs have come a great distance in a short while, however within the three-row house, progress has been surprisingly sluggish. Hyundai made a giant impression on the EV market when it unveiled the hanging Ioniq 5 in early 2021. A month later, Kia unveiled its associated EV6.
Nonetheless, following the debut of the Ioniq 5 and the later arrival of the Ioniq 6, Hyundai’s rollout of next-generation EVs has slowed, particularly in comparison with Kia. In the identical span, Kia has steadily grown its lineup, not too long ago including the EV3, EV4, EV5, and EV9 to its increasing electrical secure.
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This makes the launch of the brand new Hyundai Ioniq 9 all of the extra essential. You see, it’s associated to the three-row Kia EV9, however that mannequin was launched greater than 18 months earlier than it, which means Hyundai has to catch up floor.
QUICK FACTS
Working in Hyundai’s favor is the truth that not a lot has modified within the three-row electrical SUV phase because the EV9 launched. Few contenders have emerged on this specific bracket, particularly on the value level the place each the EV9 and Ioniq 9 are taking part in.
We not too long ago had the chance to spend a full week dwelling with the Hyundai Ioniq 9 in Calligraphy trim, placing it via its paces not simply to see the way it stacks up towards the EV9, but in addition to ask a harder query: can it justify its place as the most costly Hyundai ever bought?
What Does it Value?
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Whereas Kia gives a number of variations of the EV9 in Australia, Hyundai has solely launched a single trim variant of the Ioniq 9, often called the Calligraphy. Consumers can select between six or seven seats, and pricing begins at AU$128,413 (equal to US$84,000 at present trade charges) together with on-road prices.
There’s no denying that’s a variety of money for a Hyundai. Nonetheless, it’s surprisingly good worth in comparison with the Kia EV9 GT-Line, the closest equal to the Calligraphy, which is priced from AU$138,915 ($90,700).
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Consumers within the US seeking to decide up the keys to the brand new Ioniq 9 can buy it for as little as US$58,955. The flagship Efficiency Calligraphy Design tops out on the vary, beginning at US$76,490. Though Australia’s Calligraphy mannequin lacks the phrase ‘Efficiency’ in its title, it has the identical powertrain because the American mannequin.
Beneath the concept-car-like appears of the Ioniq 9 is a big 110.3 kWh battery, bigger than the flagship 99.8 kWh pack within the EV9. This battery feeds a pair of electrical motors, every rated at 157 kW (210 hp), or a mixed 314 kW (421 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. That provides it a wholesome edge over the EV9 GT-Line’s 283 kW (380 hp), though torque stays equivalent.
A Excessive-Class Cabin
Picture Credit: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
As you’d count on for a car at this value level, the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy’s cabin is exceptionally plush and feels extra premium than the EV9, which has an excessive amount of plastic for our liking.
Like different Hyundai fashions, there are two 12.3-inch screens in entrance of the driving force, housed inside a single curved show that helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Whereas Kia insists on persevering with to make use of an inconveniently positioned third display on the sprint for the local weather controls, the Ioniq 9 makes use of a devoted show beneath the sprint with a contact panel and bodily temperature dials.
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Our Ioniq 9 was geared up with the eye-catching Darkish Wine and Dove Gray two-tone Nappa leather-based, considered one of three out there two-tone choices for these not curious about the usual Obsidian Black trim. The Ioniq 9 is out there with digital wing mirrors, however happily, our automobile didn’t have them. By comparability, the EV9 GT-Line is bought solely with cameras as an alternative of mirrors.
There are many luxuries discovered throughout the cabin, making the Ioniq 9 completely suited to any form of journey. This features a heated steering wheel, heated, ventilated, and massaging entrance seats and a wi-fi cellphone charger.
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
There’s additionally a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone local weather management, configurable ambient lighting, and a head-up show. Tech fanatics can be happy to know that along with having two high-powered 100-watt USB-C ports within the sprint, there are additionally 100-watt USB-C ports on the backs of the entrance seats for rear passengers.
These searching for the final word in consolation can be clever to go for the six-seat model, because it replaces the second-row bench seat with a pair of captain’s chairs, that are similar to the entrance seats.
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Nonetheless, even in 7-seat guise, the Ioniq 9’s second row is greater than giant sufficient to hold three adults in consolation. Even the third row is surprisingly sensible. I’m 6’2” (189 cm) and my hair solely brushed the headliner, however I did have to slip the second-row seats ahead to get any leg room.
There’s no query this ranks among the many most premium interiors Hyundai has ever put collectively. Even so, it doesn’t really feel dramatically extra upscale than the much more reasonably priced Santa Fe. It shares fairly a couple of elements too, together with the twin screens, steering wheel, and HVAC controls. Cabin house is simply barely extra beneficiant as effectively. The newest Palisade, for that matter, feels each bit as polished because the Ioniq 9.
Efficiency and Consolation
Regardless of not being marketed as a efficiency car in Australia, that’s precisely what the Ioniq 9 appears like, no less than in a straight line. It could hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds, a formidable determine contemplating the seven-seater weighs a portly 2,721 kg (5,998 lbs). Pin the throttle and it lurches ahead, squatting on the rear and leaving sizzling hatches for lifeless.
Nonetheless, present the Ioniq 9 a set of corners, and it doesn’t match the stunning agility of the EV9 GT-Line. That isn’t to say it could’t be hustled via corners at spectacular speeds, as it could, thanks partly to the Continental PremiumContact tires. However the Ioniq 9 clearly prefers a calmer method, and with the massaging seats doing their factor, it feels most relaxed settling right into a clean cruise.
Hyundai has achieved an excellent job of calibrating the steering of its new flagship SUV and it’s fantastically gentle, good for a car of this dimension, guaranteeing it’s simple to park. Whereas driving the Ioniq 9, I rapidly forgot about its weight, though it was a bit of tougher to neglect concerning the sheer dimension of the factor.
Measuring it at 5,060 mm (199.2 inches) lengthy, it’s 50 mm (1.9 inches) longer than the EV9, and matches the Kia’s 1,980 mm (77.9-inch) width. It’s even 8mm (0.3 inches) longer than a full-size Vary Rover.
Vary to Match The Pace
Photographs Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Because of the large battery pack and respectable effectivity, the Ioniq 9 has good, real-world driving vary. Hyundai claims it could journey as much as 600 km (373 miles) between stops and quotes common effectivity of 20.6 kWh/100 km. Throughout my week with the Ioniq 9, I averaged 22 kWh/100 km, traveled 210 km (130 miles), and had 298 km of remaining vary (185 miles).
As with different EVs from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, charging is a robust go well with of the Ioniq 9. It helps charging speeds of as much as 233 kW, which means the battery will be topped up from 10-80 p.c in 24 minutes via a 350 kW charger. AC charging is capped at 10.5 kWh, which is sufficient for an in a single day cost at dwelling.
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Given the Ioniq 9’s appreciable weight, I anticipated the trip to be on the firmer aspect, as is commonly the case with electrical autos. As a substitute, it turned out to be surprisingly comfy and noticeably softer than the EV9 GT-Line. That mentioned, the lighter and extra compact Santa Fe nonetheless manages to ship an excellent smoother trip.
Brake regeneration is dealt with by paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, permitting you to cycle between 4 completely different ranges, together with a one-pedal driving mode which works fantastically.
Hyundai has additionally geared up the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy with its Freeway Driving Help 2 system, which incorporates radar cruise management and an automated lane-change operate. It could even shift the EV to the sting of the lane when passing a truck for added security. As we’ve come to count on from the South Koreans, the HDA2 system works flawlessly on the freeway.
Verdict
As a standalone EV, particularly when stacked towards pricier rivals just like the troubled Volvo EX90, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 makes a compelling case for itself. Sure, it carries a value extra generally tied to Hyundai’s luxurious arm, Genesis, however giant electrical SUVs come at a premium, notably those who mix consolation, refinement, and functionality in addition to this one.
Nonetheless, as we noticed with the Kia EV9, it’s the competitors from inside Hyundai’s personal lineup that may probably restrict the Ioniq 9’s attraction.
For roughly AU$50,000 (US$32,600) much less, you may get a seven-seat Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy. And for those who’re searching for one thing bigger, the all-new Palisade is out there as a seven-seater and even an eight-seater, and prices round AU$30,000 (US$19,500) much less. Nonetheless, for those who’re lifeless set on an electrical SUV for the household, the Ioniq 9 is a straightforward one to advocate.
