2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 first drive: Efficient, for a big one


Solely the $58,995 Ioniq 9 S is accessible with a rear-wheel drive powertrain. On this case, one with 215 hp (160 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) and a variety of 325 miles (539 km) from the 110.3 kWh (gross) battery pack. All different trims function twin motor all-wheel drive, however you quit little in the way in which of vary.

The $62,765 SE and $68,320 SEL supply a mixed 303 hp (226 kW) and 446 lb-ft (605 Nm) and 320 miles (515 km) of vary, and the $71,250 Efficiency Restricted, $74,990 Efficiency Calligraphy, and $76,490 Efficiency Calligraphy Design use a extra highly effective entrance motor to generate a complete of 442 hp (315 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), and a variety of 311 miles (500 km).

Hyundai Ioniq 9 charge port

Sure, that may be a NACS port.

Jonathan Gitlin

Hyundai Ioniq 9 middle row, captains chairs

We have been solely in a position to check the Ioniq 9 in six-seat configuration.

Hyundai

Whereas a brief first drive is just not the most effective place to judge an EV’s vary effectivity, pushed everyday in Eco mode, I would not be shocked in case you have been in a position to simply exceed 3 miles/kWh (20.7 kWh/100 km). Different drive modes embody Regular, which makes use of the entrance motor way more typically and due to this fact is markedly faster than Eco; Sport, which has numerous preliminary throttle tip-in and can head-toss your passengers if in case you have any; Terrain, first seen on the Ioniq 5 XRT; and Snow.

The journey is sort of agency on floor streets however much less so at freeway speeds over seams and enlargement gaps. As you begin to nook quicker you’ll be able to anticipate to come across understeer, however since this can be a three-row SUV weighing between 5,507-6,008 lbs (2,498-2,725 kg), one has to marvel what else was anticipated. At wise speeds, it is simple to see out of and place it on the highway, and in case you’re caught in a tailback with a few grumpy kids within the again, it is a calming sufficient atmosphere to maintain you from being over-stressed.

Hyundai has properly priced the Ioniq 9 between the associated Kia EV9 (which additionally makes use of the E-GMP platform) and EVs from premium OEMs just like the Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQS SUV, or the aforementioned Rivian.