The Hyundai IONIQ family has just grown to include a full-size, no-hold-bar (in interior space, that is) SUV. The 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 9 arrives as if Hyundai whispered, “What if we made an EV so big and comfortable, people might just start hosting dinner parties inside it?” (Read: It’s enormous on the inside!)
This three-row electric SUV boasts seating for seven, with enough legroom to rival some studio apartments. The flat floor and swanky features, like Relaxation Seats with massage functions and second-row swiveling seats (yes, they turn to face the third row), practically scream “road trip luxury.”
On the outside, Hyundai’s “Aerosthetic” design philosophy is at play, which might sound like jargon until you see the sleek, minimalist styling, low drag coefficient, and clever integration of antenna functions into the windshield and tailgate glass. It’s so streamlined you’d half expect it to glide into a room without touching the floor. And with a 620 km (385 miles) range (WLTP) courtesy of a 110.3 kWh battery, it could drive from LA to Vegas and back—assuming you can resist the urge to stop for selfies with the car.
Inside, the IONIQ 9 continues the posh vibe. The panoramic sunroof invites natural light, while eco-conscious materials like recycled PET fabrics and tire-derived paint nod to sustainability. A 5.6-liter (1.48-gallon) Universal Island 2.0 console slides to accommodate your storage needs, doubling as a fancy gadget organizer. And speaking of gadgets, the 12-inch panoramic curved display keeps you digitally pampered, with optional BOSE surround sound for audiophiles.
For the speed-inclined, the Performance AWD model hits wipes the century sprint (0-62 mph) in 5.2 seconds, thanks to a dual-motor setup delivering 320 kW (429 hp) and 605 Nm (446 lb-ft) of torque. Other variants are slightly less sprightly but no less capable. The IONIQ 9 doesn’t just drive—it coasts with a whisper, thanks to noise-reducing glass and a robust chassis that absorbs road vibrations like a yoga mat for the soul.
In the back, cargo space expands to a whopping 1,323 liters (46.7 cubic feet) with the third row folded. And if that’s not enough, the front trunk holds an extra 88 liters (3.1 cubic feet) or 52 liters (1.8 cubic feet) in AWD models. Perfect for, say, a picnic or hiding snacks from the kids.
Driver aids abound, with every acronym you can imagine: FCA, RCCA, SEA. Translation? It basically watches the road better than you ever could. Add in AI voice recognition and a UV-C sterilizer (because germs don’t take days off), and this SUV starts feeling like a Swiss Army knife with wheels.
It’ll hit roads in Korea and the U.S. in early 2025, with Europe and beyond to follow. As for the price? Let’s just say it’s TBA, but start saving your nickels—I suspect that it may take a few more than expected.
Images: Hyundai Motor Group.
