Hyundai Motor Company launched the large electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) Ioniq 9 on the 13th. With its massive size and various advanced safety features, it felt solid throughout the drive.
On the 12th, I test drove the Ioniq 9 on a round trip of about 100 km from the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to Yangpyeong-gun. Although it was a day with swirling snow and heavy fog, visibility and vehicle control were not difficult. The spacious interior and range were also impressive. The Ioniq 9 is the largest model in the Hyundai Ioniq lineup, and its huge size stood out when positioned next to other cars on the road.
The Ioniq 9 measures over 5 meters (m) in length at 5060 mm, similar to the new Palisade, which is 65 mm longer than its predecessor. The wheelbase (distance between the front and rear wheel centers) is 3130 mm, the width (vehicle width) is 1980 mm, and the height (vehicle height) is 1790 mm. The vehicle interior seats can accommodate 6 or 7 passengers, with seating available up to the third row. The trunk has a capacity of 620 liters (L) by default, expanding to 2426 L when the third row is folded down, allowing sufficient space for four golf bags or four Boston bags.
As a vehicle targeting family and travel/leisure demand, it has a high degree of space utilization. The second-row seats can rotate 90 degrees to a maximum of 180 degrees, allowing them to face the third row. This feature would be convenient for multiple passengers getting in and out of the car or installing infant car seats by turning them 90 degrees. The backrest angles of both the second and third rows are adjustable, and massage functions are applied in the second row, reducing the burden of long-distance travel.
Thanks to the high body, visibility in the front was excellent, making driving easy. The digital side mirrors, which replace side mirrors with cameras and monitors, were particularly useful. Unlike traditional side mirrors, there were no raindrops forming or fogging due to the temperature difference inside and outside the vehicle, ensuring good visibility even in rain or snow. When changing lanes, the system measures the distance from the cars in front and behind and displays this on the monitor, making lane changes easy during high-speed driving.
Although electric vehicles do not have engine noise, outside noise may stand out, and the Ioniq 9 was relatively quiet. However, the road noise from underneath the body and the wind noise from the side windows were less bothersome than the faint creaking sound combined with vibrations from the front windshield. The smoother the road surface, the more noticeable the front windshield noise became.
Despite weighing 2.6 tons (t), initial acceleration is smooth, but there are limitations in agility when overtaking at high speeds or turning corners. The two-wheel-drive (2WD) version achieves a maximum output of 160 kW (218 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version achieves a maximum output of 226 kW (308 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 605 Nm. The test vehicle was a performance-oriented AWD model with a maximum output of 315 kW (428 horsepower) and a maximum torque of 700 Nm.
The Ioniq 9 is equipped with a 110.3 kW h battery, allowing for a range of 501 to 532 km on a single charge, depending on the model. This is the longest range among Hyundai's electric vehicle lineup, making it one of the best in its class. A Hyundai representative mentioned, "Even after arriving in Busan from Seoul, there is still 20% battery left. Equipped with a multi ultra-fast charging system, it can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes using a 350 kW charger."
The sales price of the Ioniq 9 for the 7-passenger model is ▲Exclusive 67.15 million won ▲Prestige 73.15 million won ▲Calligraphy 77.92 million won. For the 6-passenger model, the prices are ▲Exclusive 69.03 million won ▲Prestige 74.64 million won ▲Calligraphy 79.41 million won. When electric vehicle subsidies are applied, the 7-passenger base trim, the Exclusive model, is expected to be purchasable in the range of 60 million won.