If you want a big, three-row SUV with electric power in Australia, you don’t have many options – though one more is about to arrive here in the shape of the Hyundai Ioniq 9.
Launching during the second quarter (April to June) of 2025, the Ioniq 9 will take on the Volvo EX90 and the related Kia EV9 and… well, not much else.
Unlike the EV9 with which it shares its E-GMP platform, however, Hyundai Australia will launch the Ioniq 9 only with a top-spec variant, with the potential for the lineup to expand later.
CarExpert understands this flagship model will wear a price north of $100,000 before on-road costs. The top-shelf (for now) Kia EV9 GT-Line is priced at $121,000 before on-roads, with the upcoming GT set to be even pricier.
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Kia Australia also offers the EV9 in lesser Air and Earth trims, and offers a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains.
In Korea, the Ioniq 9 is also offered in three trim levels: Exclusive, Prestige and Calligraphy.
While local specifications have yet to be detailed, both the Korean-market Prestige and Calligraphy trims come standard with features like ventilated first- and second-row seats, 21-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone climate control, a head-up display, and a 14-speaker Bose sound system.
The EV9 and Ioniq 9 will face competition from the Volvo EX90 due in Australia this month, which starts at $124,990 before on-road costs in base dual-motor all-wheel drive guise.
Those not wedded to the idea of electric power will also be able to get the new Palisade Hybrid from later this year, which is almost certain to be considerably cheaper.
The new flagship Hyundai electric vehicle (EV) will be sold via dealerships, as all Ioniq models now are in Australia. Hyundai sells these through what it calls BlueDrive dealerships, of which there are over 100 across the country.
Despite Hyundai confirming only a single variant at launch, a wide range of Ioniq 9 models has recently been been approved for sale by the Australian Government.
This comprises Long Range rear- and all-wheel drive models plus an all-wheel drive Performance model, all with the choice of six- or seven-seat configurations.
Powered by a 110.3kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion battery, the Ioniq 9 delivers a WLTP-estimated range of 620km in Long-Range rear-wheel drive guise when fitted with the standard 19-inch wheels.
It supports ultra-fast charging, allowing a 10-80 per cent recharge in just 24 minutes using a 350kW charger.
| Long-Range RWD | Long-Range AWD | Performance AWD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power | 160kW | 70kW (front), 160kW (rear) | 160kW (front), 160kW (rear) |
| Torque | 350Nm | 255Nm (front), 350Nm (rear) | 350Nm (front), 350Nm (rear) |
| 0-100km/h | 9.4s | 6.7s | 5.2s |
The Ioniq 9 includes a Terrain Traction Control System and what Hyundai claims is an AI-powered Auto Terrain Mode that detects road surfaces and adjusts the drive mode accordingly.
Although it lacks air suspension like the top-spec Volvo EX90, self-levelling suspension dampers are fitted. There are MacPherson struts up front and multi-link suspension at the rear.
The electric SUV has a 2500kg braked capacity.
In trailer mode the vehicle automatically detects the trailer’s weight and adjusts the predicted range and performance balance, maintaining a 50:50 front-to-rear motor torque distribution.
The new SUV has a design that – like other vehicles from the brand – has its own character while still being recognisably part of the Hyundai family.
There’s a full-width front light bar like other recent Hyundai products, as well as the brand’s ‘parametric pixel’ lighting elements.
Hyundai Style head Simon Loasby notes the swoopy roofline has a clear design kinship with the Ioniq 6 ‘streamliner’.
The big SUV is fairly slippery, with a drag coefficient of 0.259 when fitted with digital side mirrors.
It’s available in 16 exterior colours, including new hues like Celadon Grey Matte and Cosmic Blue Pearl, and rides on 19-, 20- or 21-inch wheels.
Dimensions are as follows:
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | |
|---|---|
| Length | 5060mm |
| Width | 1980mm |
| Height | 1790mm |
| Wheelbase | 3130mm |
| Boot space | 620L (behind third row) 1323L (third row folded) |
| Under-bonnet storage | 88L (RWD models) 52L (AWD models) |
Inside, there’s a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen, situated within a curved display.
An eight-speaker sound system is standard, with a Bose 14-speaker system optional.
There’s a wide range of interior colourways available, including Obsidian Black; Dark Teal and Dove Grey; Dark Pebble Grey and Dove Grey; Obsidian Black and Dove Grey; Mud Grey and Creamy Beige; Cognac Brown and Creamy Beige; and Dark Wine and Dove Grey.
While the final specification for the Australian market is yet to be confirmed, in other markets the Ioniq 9 can be had with fully reclining first- and second-row seats with leg rests, plus a slidable front console and swivelling second-row seats.
100W USB-C ports across all three rows draw power from the vehicle’s high-voltage battery instead of a traditional 12V source, while a vehicle-to-load (V2L) outlet in the cargo area allows users to power and charge electrical devices and appliances through a standard power outlet.
Digital upgrades such as lighting patterns, streaming services, and customisable display themes can be downloaded via the car’s infotainment system, while there’s an AI-powered voice recognition system.
As with various other recent Hyundai Motor Group products, there’s also a UV-C steriliser for sanitising small items like phones and masks.
The Ioniq 9 features a raft of active safety technology, including:
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind-spot assist
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Driver attention warning
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear occupant alert
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Safe Exit Assist
- Intelligent speed limit assist
On the passive side, ten airbags, including third-row seatbelt pre-tensioners, are fitted to the vehicle.
Stay tuned for more coverage on Hyundai’s new flagship electric SUV on CarExpert.
