There are a few odd or interesting additions, depending on how much you’re into ‘digitised faux marble’, and some of the silver glossy materials across the facia are rubberised for no obvious reason.
Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo
In terms of tech, the dual 12.3-inch screen set-up is one we’ve seen before from Hyundai and it’s easy to navigate, without feeling too simple. The driver’s display has a reasonable amount of personalisation, but doesn’t feature the clever blind-spot camera view that we find useful on other Hyundai models.
This is likely due to the digital side-view cameras, which feed a clear and accurate image to two high-resolution screens mounted on the door cards. Whether you like them is down to personal taste, and while there are benefits such as good night vision and no worries about condensation on cold mornings, it can be difficult to gauge depth when merging into other lanes.
The main touchscreen incorporates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the embedded navigation system is also very good, and has accurate traffic information and easy-to-follow instructions. If, however, you’re after that cutting-edge feel of a much larger screen, Hyundai is starting to lag behind rivals that offer brighter displays and more functionality. There’s plenty of physical buttons and controls, though, plus a chunky head-up display.
There’s huge amounts of room in the boot, but the rear seats aren’t quite as spacious as some rivals.
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The boot capacity is an impressive 610 litres with all three rows of seats in place, and there’s a small underfloor storage area for the charging cables. Drop the third row and the volume jumps to 1,321 litres, and the second row also folds down, unlocking a truly van-like level of space.
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 5,060 |
| Width (inc mirrors) | 1,980 |
| Height | 1,790 |
| Number of seats | 7 |
| Boot space | 1,321 litres 5 seats up, 620l with 7 seats up |
Dimensions and size
While the Ioniq 9 might have a similar footprint to its key rivals, its use of interior space is definitely best in class. This is thanks to Hyundai’s designers pushing the windscreen forward as much as possible, creating the car’s somewhat eccentric styling. Hyundai’s decision to design its EVs in an eclectic manner is on full display here, with the Ioniq 9’s look diverging from the Ioniq 5’s and 6’s quite dramatically.
Driving position, seats & space in the front
Hyundai will offer the Ioniq 9 with seven and six-seat configurations, with the second row optionally configured with captain’s chairs. There’s enough room between them for kids to make their way to the third row without needing to move the seats, but they slide forward with the press of a single button for better access.
Seats & space in the back
The room in the second row is vast, with additional storage cubbies, plus two more USB-C ports. The third row is a little tight, but the space can be opened up a little by sliding the second-row seats forward.
Boot space
The boot capacity is an impressive 610 litres with all three rows in place, and there’s a small underfloor storage area for the charging cables. Drop the third row and the volume jumps to 1,321 litres, plus the second row also drops, unlocking a truly van-like level of space.
This is an all-new model, so the Euro NCAP rating hasn’t been set yet, but active safety is comprehensive.
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Hyundai’s reliability record is typically very good, however its EVs haven’t generally been as strong. Whether this is down to bugs in the new-generation platforms, or something more sinister we can’t say, but the very strong warranty and roadside-assistance packages should alleviate too much stress.
In terms of safety, the Ioniq 9 is on track for a full five-star rating, but we’ll have to wait until it’s officially tested in Europe for a full result.
| Key standard safety features | Euro NCAP safety ratings |
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Buying and owning
For now, the Ioniq 9 feels like an extremely polished and capable family EV that will satisfy your needs as a hauler and be kind to your tax bill. Putting the firm ride to one side, it’ll be a hard car to overlook if you’re in this part of the market. However, how long it holds that lead in this fast-moving space is another question.
