[Taboleo] Ioniq 9, Large SUV Electric Car for the Whole Family to Enjoy Together

Advanced Electrification Technology Meets Cutting-Edge Convenience Features
Flat Floor Extends to Third Row with E-GMP Platform
Largest Battery Capacity Among Hyundai Electric Vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company's first electrified large SUV, the 'Ioniq 9,' is positioned as a 'family car' that the whole family can enjoy together. The first impression from its massive size, exceeding 5 meters, was solid, and the interior space of the third row seemed tailor-made for comfortable family trips.

On the 11th, I test drove the Ioniq 9. I drove a round trip of 100 km from Grand Walkerhill in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to Iham Campus in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Provided by Hyundai)

When you first stand in front of the Ioniq 9, you are overwhelmed by its enormous size. It boasts a length of 5060 mm and a width of 1980 mm. It is the same size as the Hyundai Palisade (length 5060 mm, width 1980 mm) and larger than the Kia EV9 (length 5010 mm, width 1980 mm).

Despite its large size, it gives a sleek impression with a streamlined design resembling a boat cutting through water. Hyundai explained that it adopted an 'aerostatic' design. The volume wrapping around the wheels is a key point. By applying elegant design, it achieved an air resistance coefficient of 0.259Cd, the highest level among large SUVs.

Once inside the car, you feel an overwhelming sense of space. The wheelbase is 3130 mm, the longest among Hyundai passenger cars, boasting a spacious interior. As an electric vehicle based on the E-GMP platform, the floor is flat, allowing for even wider and more comfortable boarding and alighting. The third row was relatively cramped but still had enough space for an adult male to sit comfortably.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Provided by Hyundai)

The vehicle I boarded was a 6-seater, but a 7-seater model is also available. The second-row seats are swivel seats that can rotate 180 degrees with the door open. Adjusting the second-row seats to face the third-row seats allows maximum utilization of the interior space.

The Universal Island 2.0 console located in the center of the interior can move up to 19 cm forward and backward, designed for use by passengers in both the first and second rows. The console is equipped with convenience features such as a smartphone wireless charging system and storage space. Additionally, six 100W high-output USB charging ports are located throughout the vehicle, allowing you to charge not only phones but also laptops. The luggage capacity is 908 liters, capable of loading four golf bags and four Boston bags each.

Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Provided by Hyundai)

There are also many convenience features suitable for camping or car camping. Through infotainment software (SW) updates, you can enjoy various streaming services in the car. You can use online video services (OTT) such as Netflix and Watcha, as well as music streaming and podcast services.

The Ioniq 9 is equipped with the largest battery capacity among Hyundai Motor Group electric vehicles, a 110.3 kWh battery. With an advanced battery management system (BMS) applied, the Ioniq 9 is the first in its class of electric SUVs to secure a driving range of over 500 km on a single charge across all trims.

Pressing the accelerator pedal, it moves smoothly despite its large size. It responded quickly to the accelerator during acceleration. When you take your foot off the pedal, regenerative braking (a function that stores energy generated during deceleration) activates immediately. The model I rode was the performance AWD, with a maximum output of 315 kW (approximately 428 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 700 Nm (71.4 kgf·m).

Interior view of Hyundai Ioniq 9. The second-row seats can rotate 180 degrees, allowing them to face the third-row seats, maximizing the use of interior space. (Provided by Hyundai)

The low center of gravity of the electric vehicle and the reinforced suspension made me feel that shocks and vibrations from road bumps were blocked. Hyundai explained that when designing the Ioniq 9 suspension, they adopted a structure optimized to secure a smooth ride. To ensure ride comfort not only for the driver but also for passengers in the second and third rows, a 'self-levelizer damper' was also applied.

The interior was quiet even while driving. Double-glazed soundproof glass was applied to the front windshield and first and second-row windows, and noise-absorbing foam, triple-structure pads in the wheel houses, and active road noise control were applied to effectively block road noise and wind noise.

The selling price of the Ioniq 9 starts at 67.15 million KRW for the 7-seater and 69.03 million KRW for the 6-seater. With electric vehicle subsidies, it can be purchased in the low 60 million KRW range.

Interior view of Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 9. Online video services (OTT), music streaming, and podcast services are available. (Provided by Hyundai Motor)