Hyundai Ioniq 9

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is the brand's largest and most ambitious electric vehicle to date — a three-row family SUV built on the 800-volt E-GMP platform and engineered to compete directly with established luxury EV haulers. With seating for up to seven, ultrafast charging capability, and a wheelbase stretching past 123 inches, it targets buyers who want genuine all-electric range without sacrificing practicality, space, or the premium feel that justifies its sticker price.

Hyundai didn't ease into the three-row EV segment — the Ioniq 9 arrives as a fully formed statement. Riding on the same 800-volt E-GMP architecture that underpins the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, this SUV stretches to nearly 200 inches overall and delivers a wheelbase that gives all three rows meaningful breathing room. The flat floor throughout the second row is a particular highlight, and the sense of airiness inside the cabin is something that gasoline-powered three-row SUVs at this price point routinely fail to match.

On the road, the Ioniq 9 is more composed than its footprint might suggest. The dual-motor AWD Performance variant — rated at 422 horsepower — reaches 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds, a figure that will embarrass many sports cars at a stoplight. Buyers opting for the single-motor RWD trims get a more relaxed 7.5-second sprint but gain meaningful range as a trade-off. Ride quality across the lineup is supple and well-damped, handling potholed city streets and long highway slabs with equal aplomb. The steering is light and confidence-inspiring rather than sporty, which suits the vehicle's family-first character perfectly.

The interior is where Hyundai earns its asking price most convincingly. A sweeping dual 12-inch curved display anchors the dashboard without overwhelming it, and Hyundai retained physical shortcut buttons for climate and volume — a small but genuinely thoughtful decision in an era of all-touchscreen cabins. Second-row captain's chairs, available as an option, offer heated and ventilated surfaces plus a relaxation mode that reclines nearly flat. USB-C outlets span all three rows, and over-the-air update capability means the software ecosystem improves over time without a dealership visit.

Range and charging infrastructure are the Ioniq 9's strongest selling points for road-trip families. The Long Range RWD variant targets up to 320 miles on the EPA cycle — enough headroom to handle most U.S. driving days comfortably. On a compatible 350 kW DC fast charger, the 800-volt system can add roughly 60 miles of range in approximately five minutes under optimal conditions. Pair that with BlueLink navigation that pre-conditions the battery before planned charging stops, and the Ioniq 9 makes long-distance electric travel feel genuinely mature rather than merely possible.