HYUNDAI IONIQ 9 2026
The comfort, luxury and silence of a Genesis... at almost the same price
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exceptionally smooth and quiet
- Stability at highway speed
- Impeccable fit, finish and assembly
- Fairly clear controls
- As spacious as a minivan
- Enough range for long trips
Cons
- Numb steering
- Notable body roll and understeer
- Large turning radius
- Small tailgate opening
- High price (Ultimate Calligraphy)
Overview
While other manufacturers are retreating, the South Koreans are forging ahead. The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 is only the second SUV from a popular brand to combine three rows of seats with a fully electric powertrain. The first to do so, in 2023, comes from the same group and is called the Kia EV9.
Toyota has already mentioned the arrival of an all-electric vehicle the size of its Highlander by 2027, but the other brands are maintaining radio silence. In the meantime, the two Korean cousins are well positioned to attract families looking for space and carbon neutrality – at least during the vehicle's operational phase.
A familiar platform
Just like the EV9, the IONIQ 9 is built on the Hyundai-Kia group's E-GMP platform. Designed exclusively for all-electric models, it features an 800-volt architecture that, according to the manufacturer, allows for a 10 to 80% charge in 24 minutes. Such speed requires connection to an expensive—and rare—350kW public charging station.
The IONIQ 9 is the first model Hyundai has assembled with a NACS charging port, compatible with Tesla Supercharger stations. Fortunately for Quebec buyers, the vehicle comes with adapters for J1772 connectors, which equip Level 2 residential and public charging stations, and CCS-Combo connectors, which are found on most fast-charging stations in the Electric Circuit network.
A Unique Battery
Unlike the EV9, which offers two battery sizes, the IONIQ 9 only offers one battery with a capacity of 110.3kWh, exceeding the maximum of 99.8kWh offered by Kia. This results in a 500 to 539km maximum range for the Hyundai, while the EV9's range is between 370 and 489 km.
The IONIQ 9 also stands out thanks to the inclusion of a heat pump in all versions. The entry-level EV9 Light, whose smaller battery limits its range to 370 km, does not have this feature.
Scroll down to the Review section to see our automotive experts' findings in video format.
Verdict
Coming soon...
Evaluation
Watch our video review soon (in French with YouTube-embedded English subtitles)