Meet the Hyundai Ioniq 9: Big, Bold, and Electric SUV

KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated Hyundai Ioniq 9 recently made its global debut in the international market. It is a three-row, all-electric SUV that sits above the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. Touted as Hyundai’s largest vehicle ever, the EV shares its underpinning with the Kia EV9. 

Also read: Kia EV9: All you need to know

Designed to compete in the luxury electric SUV segment, the Ioniq 9 takes electric luxury to a whole new level. It comes with a range of innovative features that are not commonly found, even in high-end luxury vehicles, making it a standout option in the market.

Let’s know this new Hyundai EV in detail - 

Exterior

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 has a length of 5,060 mm, a width of 1,980 mm, and a height of 1,790 mm. It spans a wheelbase of 3,130 mm. Compared to the EV9, the Hyundai EV is 45 mm longer, 10 mm taller, and has a 30 mm longer wheelbase.

Along with the platform, the Ioniq 9 also borrowed the boxy design language of the EV9. It features an upright bonnet with a black bar incorporating an LED light stripe, which consists of several pixel-shaped LED light elements. Striking headlight units are positioned on either of the front bumper, featuring vertically stacked pixel LED elements. The grille is sealed and holds the ADAS radar at its centre.

On the sides, we can find body-coloured rearview mirrors and 19-inch wheels as standard fitment. However, customers can opt for camera-based ORVMs and 20- or 21-inch rims.

Just like the front, the rear profile is also adorned with vertically stacked tail lights with pixel LED elements. These are connected via a high-mounted stop lamp positioned above the rear windshield. 

Interior

Dubbed “Big on Space and Bigger on Innovation,” the Ioniq 9 boasts a spacious cabin, offering a lounge-like atmosphere with 1,899 mm of headroom, 2,050 mm of legroom, and a panoramic roof.

The EV features three rows in the following layouts - 

• 6-seater option with the captain seats in the second row, which can be rotated 180 degrees when the EV is stationary. Hyundai calls them “Swivelling seats.”
• 7-seater version with a bench seat in the second row. 

The first and second-row seats are power-adjustable, fully reclinable, and feature a massage function. All seats are wrapped in leatherette upholstery and come with adjustable headrests.

The dual-tone cabin of the EV is equipped with a bucket load of creature comforts, including - 

• Curved display incorporating dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment unit
• Universal Island 2.0’ sliding centre console (can move up to 190 mm) 
• Wireless phone charger
• 14-speaker Bose sound system with an e-Active Sound Design system, generating a ‘virtual driving sound of an EV’ 
• Hyundai-first Digital antenna
• Features on Demand (FoD), allowing customers to buy digital functions like dynamic lighting patterns, escort lights, and more
• 100-watt USB-C ports in all three rows

Drivetrain and range

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 comes in different powertrain options -

Variants	Long-Range RWD	Long-Range AWD	Performance AWD
Motor	Single rear motor	Dual motor	Dual motor
Power	218 PS	95 PS (front)/218 PS (rear)	218 PS (front/rear)
Torque	350 Nm	255 Nm (front)/350 Nm (rear)	350 Nm (front/rear)
0-100 kmph acceleration	9.4 seconds	6.7 seconds	5.2 seconds
Battery	110.3 kWh NCM lithium-ion	110.3 kWh NCM lithium-ion	NA
Range	620 km	NA	NA

Availability 

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is set to launch in Korea and the U.S. in 2025, followed by Europe and other markets. 

Will the Hyundai Ioniq 9 come to Malaysia?

While there is no official confirmation yet, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is likely to make its way to Malaysia, as its platform sibling, the Kia EV9, is already available in the local market.

Also read: Hyundai Motor to build first plant in Malaysia with RM2.16 Billion Investment