First drive - The Hyundai IONIQ 9: the new reference for three-row SUVs?
- Alain Kuhn Von Kuhnenfeld
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
On British Columbia's west coast, Hyundai Canada recently invited us to drive the new Hyundai IONIQ 9 in Ucluelet, Vancouver Island. We respectfully acknowledge this land as unceded territory, long stewarded by Indigenous peoples for generations. Hyundai and its partners recognize and appreciate this history, as we experienced firsthand the beauty of this coast. It is truly a beautiful place, and it is a seaplane ride to get there; on a different note, you have to appreciate the skill and precision of the pilot when landing and taking off on the water!
Our first encounter with the Hyundai IONIQ 9 in the wild was a captivating experience, even if it was at a staged event. The vehicle's unique design, which may polarize buyers, makes a bold statement. Unlike most vehicles that emphasize their front end, the IONIQ 9's rear end is the real showstopper. The lighting signature, a hallmark of the IONIQ family, is a dazzling display of numerous small LEDs at the front and rear. Hyundai's engineers have also prioritized efficiency, achieving an excellent 0.269 drag coefficient to maximize range.
As Canada's first EV equipped with the new NACS (Tesla) charging port, the IONIQ 9 makes charging convenient - Hyundai even provides a free adapter for the CCS/Combo charging standard.
The IONIQ 9's cabin is nothing short of impressive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim's high-quality materials and plush seats could easily rival Hyundai's luxury division, Genesis. While the interior shares some familiarity with the rest of the Hyundai lineup, it perfectly balances intuitive buttons and modern screens for the driver and infotainment system.
Amenities abound, including heated and ventilated seats for the first two rows, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and power-folding second and third-row seats for effortless cargo space adjustments. Speaking of cargo, the IONIQ 9 outshines its gas-powered sibling, the Palisade, offering up to 1,323L of storage with the third row folded down.
On the road, Hyundai's latest EV continues to impress. Let's talk range first: with its substantial 110.3 kWh battery pack, the IONIQ 9 delivers up to 539 km (depending on trim)—an impressive figure for such a large vehicle and a notable upgrade over the Kia EV9 we tested last year. This substantial range provides reassurance for long journeys, making the IONIQ 9 a reliable choice for any adventure. The model we tested, the Calligraphy, has an announced range of 500km; some of my colleagues could even go beyond that announced range.
But the real standout is the ride quality. Smoother and more stable than its rivals, the IONIQ 9 delivers a genuinely luxurious experience—proof that Hyundai is pushing the boundaries of what a mass-market EV can be. It remains planted and composed even in high-speed corners, with minimal body roll. The steering, meanwhile, is perfectly weighted, offering confidence and precision in every situation.
In short, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 stands out as a superb, versatile three-row EV. Starting at just $59,999, it delivers exceptional value, likely making it Hyundai's best vehicle yet. This price point, combined with its impressive features and performance, makes the IONIQ 9 a smart investment for any car buyer. Though we only had a few hours behind the wheel, we're eager to put it through its paces in a full review!
