Hyundai Ioniq 9: Promising electric SUV with weaknesses in the details

The Koreans also want a piece of the luxury-class pie: With the Ioniq 9, Hyundai is launching a large, all-electric SUV with up to seven seats, which is intended to compete with upscale brands, specifically the BMW iX7. Although it won't be launched until 2027, Hyundai is already making its presence felt.

Offering high levels of comfort and all-wheel drive at an affordable price, the Ioniq 9 is designed to appeal to a new customer base that typically drives Range Rovers. With a length of 5.06 meters and a wheelbase of 3.13 meters, it offers the potential to compete with established competitors, even in terms of size. And with a maximum towing capacity of 2.5 tons, it's a target for customers who rely on high pulling power for horse trailers or caravans.

The exterior of the new electric SUV already makes it clear what the Ioniq 9 is designed to meet. Generous surfaces, decorative elements on the wheel arches, polished aluminum accents, and plenty of glass on the front of the vehicle give the car a distinctive look – the Korean car isn't intended to be a copy of a Land Rover.

There's plenty of room inside for five people. Even the third row of seats is ample for adults. Getting in and out of the seven-seater version is a challenge, even though the middle row seats can be moved forward at the touch of a button. Those who prefer a more comfortable ride might prefer the six-seat, center-aisle version, which is also available.

The seats are very comfortable; the leather upholstery is pleasant, and the lateral support is just about adequate. The front passenger seat and the middle row seats are equipped with extendable leg rests as standard, but some of the backrests don't recline very far.

At least the two middle row seats can rotate up to 270 degrees, creating a sort of meeting room. However, the Ioniq 9 can't be driven in this position – for safety reasons, as the side airbags are deactivated. For the driver, comfort is even better, with a massage seat.

The modern interior features impressively: Seven USB-C ports are available, six of which offer 100 watts of power for fast charging of cell phones and small electronics. A storage compartment beneath the spacious infotainment system and climate control is specifically designed to clean objects of viruses and bacteria using ultraviolet radiation. A large compartment in the longitudinally sliding center console is also available, but it is neither cooled nor heated.

The trunk, at 338 liters in the seven-seater configuration, is too small for longer trips. But as a five-seater, it offers ample storage space, and with all the seats behind the first row folded down, the capacity is 2,494 liters, which is even enough for transporting medium-sized furniture.

However, the generous use of plastic on the door panels and seat trim detracts from the overall luxurious feel of the interior. This doesn't fit with the premium quality the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is supposed to fulfill.

An initial test drive shows that the driver can feel at home in the new electric SUV. The start button is integrated into the rotary gear selector, and all controls are generally easy to operate. However, even in the Ioniq 9, turning off unwanted warning sounds is only possible by selecting various submenus on the touchscreen. The competition, with simpler access, does this much better.

The drivetrain of the top model, which produces 315 kW (428 hp), with two equally powerful electric motors at the front and rear, delivers linear and powerful power delivery without slippage. This allows the approximately 2.7-ton electric vehicle to move quickly, but the large electric SUV is by no means a sporty vehicle. The entry-level model with rear-wheel drive produces 160 kW (216 hp), while a mid-range variant offers all-wheel drive with more power at the rear axle and 226 kW (308 hp). All three versions feature a generously dimensioned battery with 110 kilowatt hours of usable capacity.

The chassis is also one of the Ioniq 9's strengths, providing good ride comfort. The car allows for some body roll in curves, but it doesn't have electronic roll stabilization like its competitors. Effective sound insulation, enhanced by noise-cancelling technology, ensures exceptional comfort.

The Ioniq 9's range of up to 620 kilometers is among the best on the market, thanks in part to its sophisticated aerodynamics for an SUV with a high front end (Cd value of 0.27). There are some drawbacks in terms of charging performance. Although the Hyundai operates with an 800-volt on-board voltage, it can only be charged at a maximum of 232 kW – the competition already manages more than 300 kW. Therefore, the 24-minute fast-charging time from 10 to 80 percent capacity is below average by today's standards. Chinese manufacturers have already announced significantly higher power outputs, with up to 1000 kW.

One area where the new electric vehicle is likely to at least worry its competitors is its price. The entry-level Ioniq 9 model in the lowest trim level, "Amplia," is available from 76,900 Swiss francs. The all-wheel drive model starts at 84,400 Swiss francs, and the top-of-the-line model with the highest trim level, the "Vertex Calligraphy," starts at 89,900 Swiss francs. By comparison, the cheapest Range Rover with a comparable towing capacity starts at 146,000 Swiss francs, but it's not an electric vehicle. Only its electric sister model, the Kia EV9, can compete; it's even slightly cheaper, but also offers slightly weaker performance and range.

The test drive was supported by Hyundai.