Hyundai's latest model is the largest car in its lineup here in Singapore, and it is also likely the largest SUV that I have ever driven in my life. The Ioniq 9 is the brand's first full-sized luxury all-electric SUV, and the brand calls it The Master of Space.
While space is always appreciated by passengers, large cars can be a handful for drivers, and especially so in tight spaces. Hence, for an accurate and holistic review of a large SUV like the Ioniq 9, the experience has to be collated not just from the driver's perspective, but from passengers as well.
Naturally, I've taken the opportunity to ferry quite a few friends and colleagues during the time I had the car, and even driven it in rather tight spaces. Even though I faced some difficulties with parking, I've got to say I've grown quite fond of the car.
A new, oversized addition to the Ioniq family
Looking at the name of the Ioniq 9, it is easy to figure out its relationship with Hyundai's Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 models that are also being sold here. And indeed, the Ioniq 9, like the other two models, is also built upon the brand's E-GMP architecture.
However, one might not make the connection upon the initial glance at the Ioniq 9 - the Ioniq 5 is known for its boxy shape, while the Ioniq 6 has a streamlined shape, but the Ioniq 9 looks quite different. That is, until you notice the abundant presence of Hyundai's 'Parametric Pixels' design elements that can be found throughout the car, especially in its lighting elements.
Inspired by nautical designs, the Ioniq 9 starts off with a bold front end, though corners on the body are all smoothly rounded. Muscular lines break up the over five metre-long body, while the greenhouse area tapers towards the rear to create a distinct 'Boat Tail', which improves aerodynamics for better efficiency. The result is a tough and imposing SUV with more than a touch of refinement due to its curves and pinched rear-end.
Built to ace the field of Noise, Vibration and Harshness
The first concern when looking at the car from the outside is the effect of the tapering roofline on the headroom, and I'm pleased to say that the second row isn't affected at all, and the third row still has sufficient headroom for most Asian adults. With a length of over five metres and being almost two metres wide, the Ioniq 9's interior is expectedly spacious - however being an SUV (and not a boxy MPV), legroom at the third row is understandably limited.
Now, let's dive into the highlight of the Ioniq 9 - the cabin's comfort. The variant that we have here is the range-topping Calligraphy in the six-seater configuration. This means that second-row passengers get individual captain seats, which are electrically adjustable and ventilated. The front-row gets the same treatment, while the driver also gets the Ergo Motion Seat function, which uses air bladders to provide support and massage-like features.
Although the Ioniq 9 lacks massage seats for the passengers, it makes up for it with incredible ride comfort. Equipped with a set of specially designed suspension that features self-levelling and frequency-controlled dampers, along with hydro bushings, the Ioniq 9 manages a ride quality that trumps even the most luxurious EV MPVs that you can get here.
The cabin is also incredibly tranquil when on the move - Hyundai has made sure that noise will never be a concern as the Ioniq 9 features triple door seals, acoustic glass, and Active Noise Control-Road (ANC-R) technology to suppress wind and road noise. With everything in place, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) characteristics are sublime with the Ioniq 9.
Meanwhile, a premium 14-speaker Bose sound system takes advantage of the adequate environment to offer an enjoyable listening experience on the go.
And it isn't just marketing spiel - I've brought my colleagues out to lunch and several friends for supper, with the car, and everyone loved how comfortable the ride was and some also commended the sound system.
It's so high tech that there aren't any side mirrors!
There's plenty of tech and effort that went into engineering the comfortable environment, but that isn't all. The Ioniq 9 is well-designed and equipped as well.
The cabin is designed well, with ergonomics and comfort in mind. It also features clever little components such as the slidable Universal Island - the centre console can slide back and forth by 190mm, with an armrest that can be opened from the front and the rear to access the storage compartment.
With wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, a UV-C sterilising compartment, and enough USB-C ports for everyone on board to charge their phones, the Ioniq 9 is definitely well-equipped when it comes to tech. Like the other Ioniq cars, there's a large Panoramic Curved Display, featuring a 12.3-inch cluster and a similarly-sized infotainment display.
But the party trick has got to be the Digital Side Mirrors, which replace conventional side mirrors with cameras and displays mounted inboard. While it takes a little getting used to, I quickly adapted to them and didn't face any issue while driving the car - the image is sharp, clear and responsive. Furthermore, the cameras actually work really well in low-light conditions - better than conventional mirrors.
There's no escaping it, a large car will definitely require more caution to drive, but tech and engineering can make things slightly easier. Being equipped with a full suite of driving assist systems and a very comprehensive 360-degree camera sure helps with positioning the car in tight spaces; meanwhile, the relatively tight turning radius (for a car of its size) also makes things easier.
When it comes to the drive, the Ioniq 9 exhibits the same well-judged controls that can be found in the rest of the Ioniq range - steering is well-weighted (not too light, not too heavy, just right and feels natural for a car of this size), brakes are powerful yet easy to modulate (regenerative braking can be adjusted to your liking with the paddles), and acceleration is smooth and controllable.
Unlike many EVs that have been tuned to give you that instant 'kick-in-your-back' kind of acceleration, the Ioniq 9's accelerator is slightly stiffer, with a response curve that allows precise low-speed throttle control. If you prefer a more excitable drive, simply set the drive mode to Sport and give the throttle a hard shove, and you'll get 226.1kW (303bhp) and 605Nm of torque sent to all four wheels, managing a century sprint of just 6.7 seconds.
While that doesn't seem to be very quick, you need to consider that this is a massive SUV packing a 110.3kWh battery and manages a real-world range of around 550km, which is pretty impressive.
This might be the large SUV for you
The Ioniq 9 is well-made, filled with tech, spacious (especially when there isn't anyone in the third row) and extremely comfortable. The only question is if you are comfortable with driving such a behemoth around, as all the technology can only help you so much. Being an SUV with a substantial front segment (unlike MPVs which places the driver closer to the front wheels), it takes some time to get attuned with manoeuvring the Ioniq 9 through tight spaces.
At $356,999 for the Ioniq 9 Calligraphy 6-Seater that you see here, the price is comparable to luxurious Chinese EV MPVs such as the XPENG X9 Grand Seat ($356,999) and the Zeekr 009 Deluxe ($342,999).
But the Ioniq 9 is of an SUV body style and offers a more engaging drive, while featuring clever and well-sorted ergonomics and cabin design. If you are someone who's confident of driving large cars, want to ferry your family around in comfort, but prefers the stylish and rugged character of an SUV, the Ioniq 9 might be a good choice. And it isn't just me who feels so - the colleagues and friends who've sat in the car would attest to it as well.
Are you in the market for a large car to ferry your family and friends? Here are some cars that you might be interested in:
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