Three-row Hyundai Ioniq 9 priced from $120K

HYUNDAI has crowned its Australian Ioniq battery electric vehicle (BEV) range with the Ioniq 9, a three-row large SUV that delivers 600km of claimed driving range and “lounge-like” comfort from $119,750 before on-road costs – or $9367 north of the brand’s next most-expensive model, the ballistic Ioniq 5 N.

Arriving in Australia as a single, fully-equipped Calligraphy grade with six- and seven-seat layout options, the Ioniq 9 is positioned as a premium alternative to electric people movers and three-row electric SUVs such as corporate cousin Kia’s EV9 and premium brand Volvo’s EX90.

Hyundai undercuts the entry-level Volvo EX90 Plus by $5240 while commanding a $22,750 premium over the base Kia EV9 Air although the Ioniq 9’s standard 110.3kWh battery pack eclipses the Kia for capacity across all three EV9 grades (76.1kWh base, 99.8kWh for Earth and GT-Line).

Against its most direct rival, the similarly specified EV9 GT-Line ($121,000 + ORC), the Ioniq 9 offers comparable luxury appointments and a larger battery for $1250 less, though Volvo’s EX90 Plus delivers slightly more battery capacity (111kWh) and Swedish prestige for those willing to stretch an extra $5240.

Those cross-shopping against electric people movers could look to the Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX (from $109,990 + ORC), Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer (from $136,898 + ORC) LDV Mifa 9 (from  $104,000 + ORC) or Zeekr 009 (from $135,900 + ORC).

Powered by twin 157kW electric motors, the all-wheel drive Ioniq 9 produces 314kW of power and 700Nm of torque, which Hyundai claims to enable 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.2 seconds and 80-120km/h for overtaking in 3.4 seconds.

It matches the most powerful EV9 grades for torque but is up 31kW on the Kia, although the Volvo EX90 in flagship Ultra Twin Motor Performance form outguns with 380kW and 910Nm.

Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s ubiquitous 800-volt Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the flagship SUV is said to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 24 minutes when connected to a 350kW DC charger.

The Ioniq 9 introduces several Australian firsts for the Hyundai brand, including ‘Digital Key 2.0’ technology and Google Places Search integration, joining Hyundai’s Bluelink smartphone-enabled connected car services and over-the-air update capability.

The interior combines a 3130mm wheelbase and flat floor to create what Hyundai describes as the most spacious cabin in its class, accommodating up to seven occupants in “lounge-like” comfort.

A curved dashboard display combine dual 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment interfaces, while Nappa leather upholstery, synthetic leather door panels and aluminium garnish promise to create a premium look and feel.

The six-seater configuration carries a $2000 premium and gains a ‘Universal Island 2.0 Centre Console’, which slides up to 190mm fore and aft to provide access to storage for both first- and second-row occupants plus ‘Relaxation Seats’ for second-row passengers, matching those at the front.

Front-row occupants get a claimed 1005mm of headroom and 1052mm of legroom, those in the second row have 996mm of headroom and 1086mm of legroom and third-row passenger space stats include 1000mm of headroom and 813mm of legroom, according to Hyundai.

Claimed cargo capacity also remains decent with all three rows occupied, offering 338 litres behind the third row and expanding to 908 litres behind the second row. Additional storage is provided by a front cargo area under the bonnet.

For comparison the EV9 has 333L of boot space with all seats in use and 828L when the third row is folded, while the EX90 offers 310L behind the third row and 655L with it folded.

The ‘Ergo Motion’ driver’s seat is designed to support optimal posture through air pocket control in the cushion, seatback and bolsters, while front occupants can adjust rear seat positions using the infotainment touchscreen.

Second-row seats feature one-touch tilting for easy third-row access, while the seven-seater configuration offers almost-flat rear-seat folding with inclines of just 7.5 degrees (second row) and 3.5 degrees (third row).

Third-row seats fold automatically with motorised headrests, accessible via buttons in the cargo compartment or side trim controls for recline adjustment.

The ‘Connected Car Navigation Cockpit’ infotainment system incorporates artificial intelligence voice recognition for handsfree control as part of the primarily touchscreen user interface, which also features personalised settings that sync across multiple vehicles.

Hyundai’s ‘Digital Key 2.0’ debuts in Australia with the Ioniq 9, featuring both near-field communication (NFC) and ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for automatic unlocking from approximately one metre away using a smartphone.

The digital key can be stored on one device and shared with up to 15 others, functioning

without mobile network signals and continuing to work even with a flat smartphone battery.

Google Places Search provides multiple destination search methods, including text-based searches like "restaurants near me" with type-ahead suggestions and detailed results including addresses, operating hours, and contact information.

The Ioniq 9 features comprehensive safety equipment including 10 airbags, with a driver’s knee airbag and front centre side airbag designed to prevent secondary collisions between first-row occupants.

Hyundai’s SmartSense technology suite includes second-generation forward collision avoidance, highway driving assist and lane following assist systems along with blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot camera views on the digital cluster, and key-operated remote parking assist.

Digital door mirrors are available for $3000 extra.

The Ioniq 9 rides on MacPherson strut front and five-link rear suspension with vibration-minimising hydro bushings and a self-levelling system to prevent sagging under heavy loads.

Aside from a slippery exterior design, noise-reduction measures are special tyre tread patterns, noise-absorbing tyre materials, reinforced body panels, sound-damping insulation, three-layered wheel arch padding, tight door seals designed to minimise  wind noise and double-laminated soundproof glass plus active road noise-cancelling sound waves generated by the audio system.

Ten exterior colours are available, including Serenity White Pearl, Abyss Black Pearl, Ionosphere Green Pearl, Biophilic Blue Pearl, Sunset Brown Pearl plus the matte options of Nocturne Grey, Celadon Grey and Gravity Gold.

Premium metallic or pearl paint costs $750, while matte finishes are $1000.

Hyundai provides a five-year unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty. A ‘Lifetime Service Plan’ with 30,000km service intervals is priced at $660 for 24 months and $685 for 48 months.

Bluelink connected car services are provided complimentary for the first five years of ownership, including automatic collision notification, emergency SOS function, connected

routing with live traffic, remote climate control, and vehicle diagnostics.

"As our first three-row, all electric SUV, Ioniq 9 is a milestone vehicle, underscoring Hyundai’s EV leadership and our continuing commitment to innovation," said Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive Don Romano.

"Ioniq 9 blends lounge-like space, distinctive aerodynamic design, and an advanced user experience to create a captivating and luxurious family vehicle."