Four years after the Hyundai Seven concept made its debut at the LA Auto Show, the production variant of the three-row EV has landed. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 brings the brand's style-forward design language to the mid-size crossover segment, offering both rear- and all-wheel-drive powertrains and seating configurations for either six or seven passengers. Thanks to the automaker's slick 800-volt architecture, the Ioniq 9 delivers some of the fastest charging speeds on the market. With every model promising to deliver more than 300 miles of range, this is an EV family hauler that promises to minimize sacrifices for those prepared to switch to electric.

How Does It Drive?, What's It Like to Live with?, Should I Buy One?, Highlights and Lowlights

2026 hyundai ioniq 9 rear three quarter in parking lot

The Lowdown

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is all-new, but it shares some of its hardware with existing models. The SUV sits on the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, as well as the Kia EV6 and EV9. But it isn't simply a reskinned EV9—the Hyundai has a slightly longer wheelbase and increased length. It's a bit bigger than the Palisade SUV as well.

The Ioniq 9 also packs a large 110.3-kWh battery as standard, ensuring every version provides impressive range. Hyundai offers the Ioniq with rear-wheel drive or a choice of two all-wheel-drive setups. The top-end Calligraphy version we drove featured the Performance AWD setup, which provides the truck with 422 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai says that allows this three-row to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds while also providing a maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds with trailer brakes installed.

Vehicle Tested: 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 Performance Calligraphy
Base Price: $76,590
Price as tested: $77,040
Location: Savannah, Georgia

More Specs

Powertrain: Dual-motor, all-wheel drive

Power: 422 hp (total system peak)

Torque: 516 lb-ft (total system peak)

0–60 mph: 4.9 sec (mfr est)

Battery Capacity: 110.3 kWh

Weight: 6008 pounds (mfr claim)

EPA Range: 311 miles (mfr est)

How Does It Drive?

2026 hyundai ioniq 9 front three quarter under spanish moss trees

Hyundai has already proven it is capable of building segment-leading EVs, and the Ioniq 9 quickly shows that this expertise has extended to a new part of the market.

A McPherson-strut front- and multilink rear-suspension setup works in tandem with self-leveling dampers to provide a cushy ride, despite my test car rolling on a set of 21-inch rims. I found the truck genuinely comfortable on the highways surrounding Savannah, though Georgia's excellent pavement quality certainly helped. All but the largest of bumps were masked before reaching the cabin. The overall ride is much closer to luxury offerings than it is to three-row SUVs from Ford or Chevrolet, which is a major plus at this price point.

More good news is that the comfort-leaning dampers didn't bring the same handling penalties you might find in more traditional three-rows either, owing in part to a torque-vectoring system to help the car turn and the low center of gravity that comes with an underfloor battery pack. The Ioniq 9 drives much smaller than its dimensions suggest it should.

2026 Hyundai ioniq 9 first drive in savannah georgia front wheel closeup shot

Although the 9 was confident on its feet, the direct steering was unsurprisingly lacking much in the way of feedback. This is certainly no Ioniq 5 N when it comes to the driving-joy department, but the SUV remained well-mannered and effortless around town. It's a straight-line bruiser too, with the dual-motor powertrain dispensing torque in a way most gas-powered rivals could never match. Given that Kia has already laid out plans for a GT version of the EV9, an even more potent variant of the Ioniq 9 is surely due in the future. That said, I'm sure most potential customers will be more than satisfied with the current level of performance on offer.

I found the truck's regenerative braking system to be a suitable stand-in for the friction brakes in most instances, with adjustments available through steering-wheel paddles. The system is quite aggressive in its highest setting, rapidly bringing the Ioniq 9 to a halt when the accelerator was lifted. It would even do this at a rate that was uncomfortable for passengers at times, although some additional practice would doubtlessly smooth things out.

What's It Like to Live with?

2026 hyundai ioniq 9 interior highlight shot from rear seats

The interior of the Ioniq 9 really highlights Hyundai's efforts to improve overall quality. The Calligraphy trim features a unique two-tone layout, which brings a handsome green hue to the seats and door cards. The front two rows feature Hyundai's Relaxation Comfort Seats, which come with advanced recline and lower leg rest functions, as well as heating and ventilation. Those in the third row have to do without such luxuries.

I enjoyed the interior's "nature-inspired" shapes, although some materials looked better than they felt to the touch. The large rock-like appliqué above the glove box also came across as somewhat gimmicky in full daylight, but the effect was admittedly cool in the dark.

The sense of luxury was further driven home by Hyundai's use of acoustic glass in the front two rows, which eliminated much of the wind noise you'd expect from a large SUV. The brand has also borrowed Genesis's Active Noise Control system, which utilizes anti-phase sounds to further cancel out any unwanted tones before they reach your ears. The result is an almost eerily quiet machine.

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 infotainment screen closeup

Dual 12.3-inch displays make up the gauge cluster and infotainment system and are supported by wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A superfast-charging 100-watt USB-C port and a wireless charging pad ensured my phone never faltered. Hyundai plans to roll out Vehicle-to-X charging features, though I didn't have an opportunity to see that in action. And while the truck employs NACS charging ports, Hyundai does stick an adapter in the front trunk for use at non-Tesla stations.

Should I Buy One?

2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 launch photos profile shot near pier

The electric three-row SUV segment is still in its infancy. The Hyundai will face off against the likes of the Tesla Model X, Lucid Gravity, Volvo EX90, Cadillac Escalade IQ, and Rivian R1S. Even in range-topping trim, the Hyundai is more affordable than all those offerings. That's impressive given its upmarket feel and punchy 800V architecture. It's a three-row SUV that just so happens to be an electric vehicle, and one that doesn't really ask much of you for that switch. It's exactly the sort of machine that could convert EV skeptics.

But its most obvious rival is closer to home, with the related Kia EV9 being notably more affordable than the Hyundai, although without a corresponding amount of range or features. While I loved the added niceties brought by the Performance Calligraphy trim, the SE AWD model is a genuine bargain at $64,365 with destination. It may only provide 303 hp, but it still retains the 5000-pound maximum tow rating and promises up to 320 miles of range.

2026 Hyundai ioniq 9 charging point close up

Highlights and Lowlights

We Love:

Near-silent cabin.
Plush ride quality.
Potent 800V architecture.

We Don't:

Aggressive one-pedal setup.
Polarizing styling.
Third-row legroom.

Favorite Detail

2026 hyundai ioniq 9 comfort seats extended leg rest close up

I wish that every EV came equipped with a version of Hyundai's Relaxation Comfort Seats, which offer a one-touch extra-deep recline. They are designed to improve the charging experience, offering occupants a more homey place to sit during those extended top-ups. The seats adjust quickly, and the driver's side also motors the steering column forward to increase space, although I did wish the leg rest was slightly longer to better suit tall drivers.