9 Reasons to Love Hyundai’s All-New IONIQ 9
Hyundai’s electric vehicles are quite popular in Quebec, so the company naturally picked the Montreal International Auto Show a couple of weeks ago to host the Canadian premiere of its brand new 2026 IONIQ 9. Did you check it out?
Based on the SEVEN concept that was shown at the Palais des congrès back in 2023—sporting a similar emerald green finish—the three-row electric SUV from South Korea will go on sale this spring, hoping to enjoy as much success or maybe more than its cousin from Kia, the EV9.
In the meantime, here are nine reasons to love the Hyundai IONIQ 9…
1. Unique Looks
Compared with the EV9, not to mention the smaller Hyundai IONIQ 5, the new IONIQ 9 is nowhere near as boxy. Heck, it looks like nothing else on the road right now, from the pixelated signature of the front fascia to the somewhat truncated rear end and everything in between, most notably the highly sculptural fenders. No fewer than 16 different body colours are available.
2. Lots of Passenger Space
With the longest wheelbase (3,130 mm) of any Hyundai model—longer even than the Palisade’s—the IONIQ 9 impresses with its expansive cabin designed to please large families. The available second-row captain’s chairs feature folding leg rests for maximum comfort. When the vehicle is stationary, they can even swivel 180 degrees, allowing the second- and third-row occupants to face each other and interact more easily.
3. And Lots of Truck Space, Too
With all three rows in place, the IONIQ 9 offers up to 620 litres of cargo room, but with the third-row seats folded flat, the rear cargo area can accommodate up to 1,323 litres of luggage. Additionally, the front trunk (under the hood) offers a maximum volume of 88 litres on RWD models and 52 litres on AWD models.
4. Versatile Centre Console
Dubbed “Universal Island 2.0,” the standalone, sliding centre console can be moved by up to 190 mm, allowing passengers in the second row to access it easily. The console also provides 5.6 litres of storage in the upper tray, as well as 12.6 litres of storage in the lower sliding tray. What’s more, the bidirectional armrests can be opened from the front and rear allowing easy access to the console from the second row. Convenient, isn’t it?
5. State-of-the-Art Interface
Facing the driver is a 12-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12-inch touchscreen as part of a panoramic curved display. The IONIQ 9 displays its charge status via green dots on the steering wheel and features Hyundai AI Assistant, an AI-enabled voice recognition system similar to a home virtual assistant.
6. Cool Breeze
The IONIQ 9’s climate system offers a rear-independent function optimized for leisure activities, such as car camping. This system provides air-conditioning for rear passengers and reduces unnecessary power consumption by independently controlling the front and rear climate zones. The vehicle also includes a slim roof air vent designed to work in conjunction with the Panoramic Sunroof package.
7. Three Configurations
The base RWD model is powered by a 160kW rear motor, the AWD alternative features an additional 70kW front motor, while the Performance AWD model boasts 160kW front and rear motors. If you prefer horsepower, that means 215 hp, 303 hp and 422 hp, respectively—not quite as much as the EV9 and EV9 GT, yet enough to tow 3,500 lbs or 5,000 lbs depending on the number of motors at work.
8. 500 km of Range
While the official ratings from Natural Resources Canada are not yet available, Hyundai has announced that all three IONIQ 9 configurations will be able to travel at least 500 km on a single charge. That’s impressive for such a large EV. The high-voltage, floor-mounted NCM lithium-ion battery offers 110.3 kWh of system energy, by the way. Of course, with several people and their luggage on board, range will be substantially affected.
9. Ultra-Fast Charging
Hyundai’s E-GMP platform enables maximum DC power of 235 kW. Under ideal conditions, using the fastest chargers available, you could charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 24 minutes, the company says. One more thing: the IONIQ 9 will roll out of the factory (down in Georgia, U.S.) with a built-in NACS charge port allowing direct access to Tesla’s Superchargers, no adapter necessary.
