- Hyundai’s all-new seven-seat three-row crossover rethinks interior flexibility
- The Ioniq 9 boasts the company’s largest battery, with the longest range of any Hyundai yet
- The Performance AWD trim rocks 422 hp and a 4.9-second zero-to-100-km/h time
This past September, Hyundai celebrated the production of its 100-millionth vehicle since it was founded 57 years ago. The 1,000,001th vehicle off the line was an Ioniq 5. The powertrain in that milestone automobile syncs up nicely with the company’s plan to sell two million EVs a year by 2030. That’s a bold goal to say the least. But one new product that will help the cause is the Palisade-sized 2026 Ioniq 9 — Hyundai’s targeting following it up with 23 other new models between now and 2030.
What is the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9?
The Ioniq 9 is an all-new EV that takes Hyundai to places it has never been before. Its style is more organic than the current hard-edged Santa Fe; it totally rethinks the Hyundai cabin; and it earns the automaker’s largest battery and, if the target is attained, its longest driving range yet. It’s also the company’s first Software Defined Vehicle. The Features on Demand (FoD) service allows Ioniq 9 owners to buy digital upgrades from the online store — lighting patterns and different instrumentation looks being two examples.
What’s new with the 2026 Ioniq 9?
The Ioniq 9 is new from the road up. It is 5,060 mm (199.2 inches) long, 1,980 mm (78 inches) wide, and rides on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, with a long 3,130-mm (123.2-inch) wheelbase! It all serves to emphasize the proportions — it is a good-looking rig that’s far less boxy than other three-row, seven-seat EVs.
It also brings a tonne of interior space, something that has been totally rethought in a way so it can offer everything from business-class-like middle-row seats with leg supports; and 620L with the third row up, or 1,323L when folded flat. Fold down both the second- and third-row seats, and there is a lie-flat that measures 2,050 mm (80.7 inches).
The Ioniq 9 features a 12-inch instrument screen and a 12-inch infotainment screen in a the panoramic curved display. The base sound system uses eight speakers; the option is a 14-speaker Bose system. Of course, the “virtual driving sound” comes from the sound system. Ride-wise, the load-levelling suspension brings a smooth drive regardless of the number of riders, and the Terrain Traction Control System has an Auto Terrain Mode that uses Al to recognize the road surface and pick the optimal driving mode.
What powers the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9?
The Ioniq 9 will be offered three ways. All will share the 800-volt architecture and 110.3-kWh battery, and the goal is to deliver 480 km (300 miles) of driving range for all three models. The battery is charged through the North American Charging System (NACS), or Tesla-style, socket. It can be charged from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes when plugged into a 350-kW DC fast-charger.
The trim walk starts with the Long-Range rear-drive model, with a 215-hp rear-mounted electric motor. It runs to 100 km/h (62 mph) from zero in 8.4 seconds, and allows it to tow 1,588 kg (3,500 pounds) when properly equipped. The Long-Range all-wheel-drive (AWD) model gets a second motor that powers the front axle. It makes 303 hp, runs to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, and can tow a 2,268-kg (5,000-pound) trailer.
The third model is the racer of the bunch. The Performance AWD gets a meaty 422 hp, which is enough to spirit the riders to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and pull off the 80-km/h-to-120 km/h passing trick in 3.4 seconds. It, too, can tow 2,268 kg (5,000 pounds).
What are the 2026 Ioniq 9’s rivals?
The key competitors for the Ioniq 9, according to Hyundai, are the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X. If you ask us, the list should also include the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90.
When will Canada get the 2026 Ioniq 9?
The American-built 2026 Ioniq 9 goes into production spring 2025, and should be on sale shortly after.
Should I buy the 2026 Ioniq 9?
For a family of five or six, the Ioniq 9 makes perfect sense. It has the needed room, the demanded range, and, if desired, a fleet turn of speed. It is a compelling combination.