The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a three-row electrical SUV with room to develop

Forward of the LA Auto Present this week, Hyundai confirmed off its brand-new three-row all-electric SUV with a collection of options that the Korean automaker is satisfied will enchantment to fickle American automotive patrons.

The Ioniq 9 is a battery-electric three-row SUV primarily based on the Seven idea that the corporate confirmed off in 2021. The brand new EV is constructed on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, which underpins all the opposite electrical Hyundais in the marketplace, together with the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 5N. And it’ll have a 110.3kWh battery that Hyundai stated ought to get greater than 300 miles of vary for all fashions.

The brand new Ioniq 9 will are available two variations: Lengthy Vary and Efficiency, every with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive choices. The Lengthy Vary RWD makes round 214hp (160kW) and simply shy of 260 pound-feet of torque (350nm). The Lengthy Vary AWD model will get a 70kW motor (with 255nm of torque) on the entrance and a 160kW (with 350nm of torque) motor on the rear, although Hyundai doesn’t say whether or not these shall be additive.

The Efficiency AWD (there isn’t a Efficiency RWD) will get a pair of 160kW motors on the entrance and rear. In response to Hyundai, solely the 600-plus-hp Ioniq 5N may have extra energy, however we’ll have to attend for the launch to get the ultimate horsepower and torque numbers from the corporate.

The Ioniq 9 will include Tesla Supercharger-supporting North American Charging System ports, however Hyundai stated that it’ll additionally supply clients an adapter for non-Tesla chargers. The port is situated on the passenger-side rear panel, which can current an issue at Tesla Superchargers with brief cords. For instance, homeowners could also be compelled to take up two or extra areas at crowded stalls. (Tesla V4 chargers have longer cables and will attain the charging port, however we’ll have to attend for a take a look at automobile earlier than we are able to affirm.)

Simon Loasby, senior VP and head of the Hyundai Design Middle, stated that the E-GMP platform decided the placement of the charging port on the Ioniq 9. 

The brand new EV may even get entry to the Ionna charging community, which is backed by eight automakers. And it’ll have bidirectional charging in order that homeowners with Hyundai’s Dwelling charging setup can maintain their dwelling powered throughout an influence outage.  

Different options embody a second row with “Leisure Seats” (within the Calligraphy line solely) that totally recline with a leg relaxation and therapeutic massage perform to permit as much as 4 individuals to loosen up throughout automobile charging. These second-row seats will swivel to face the third row to create what Loasby calls a “furnished area.”

Hyundai designers included a slidable heart console in fashions with the captain’s chairs that may transfer ahead and again to create space to stroll by to the third row or be accessed by second-row passengers. 

There’s additionally a UV-C sterilizer within the glovebox (in abroad markets, it will likely be within the entrance tray), which can be utilized to sterilize your telephone or pockets. The UV-C sterilizer and the sliding console are options that presently exist within the Hyundai Santa Fe. 

The brand new Ioniq 9 will get over-the-air software program updates in addition to a brand new app retailer that Hyundai is looking “Options on Demand.” Via the app retailer, clients can personalize their Ioniq 9 with issues like particular lighting patterns and digital sprint design in addition to content material and video games — for a payment.

“We need to evolve the options that folks truly inform us that they’re prepared to pay for,” stated Olabisi Boyle, senior VP of product planning and mobility technique at Hyundai Motor North America. Hyundai did intensive shopper analysis earlier than shifting forward with the plan, she added.

“Gaming was an enormous one, street journey video games and trivia, image taking and selfies contained in the automotive appears to be an enormous one too,” Boyle stated. “So issues that construct upon that contained in the automobile are issues we’d cost for.” Hyundai confirmed that it could not pull a BMW and cost a month-to-month payment for issues like heated seats. 

Hyundai’s present electrical lineup consists of the Ioniq 5 and 6 — and shortly the 9. The corporate stated that this unusual quantity soar leaves room within the lineup for potential future autos like an Ioniq 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and eight — although the corporate wouldn’t elaborate. Primarily, the nomenclature leaves room for the longer term. 

Hyundai hasn’t introduced closing pricing but, however the automobile shall be inbuilt Georgia at Hyundai’s new “Metaplant” in Bryan County. The Metaplant is a three way partnership between the Korean battery maker LG Vitality Answer (LGES) and Hyundai and represents a $7.6 billion funding within the state.

How President-elect Donald Trump’s threatened tariff plans will influence the manufacturing of the Ioniq 9 and the plant stays to be seen, however Trump has already stated he plans to kill the $7,500 federal tax credit score that’s helped thousands and thousands of People buy costly EVs. 

“Ioniq 9 pricing shall be introduced nearer to launch, however we are going to take all related market components into consideration to reach at aggressive numbers,” stated Chris Paukert, senior group supervisor of product public relations at Hyundai, when requested about Trump’s threats to kill the federal tax credit score for EV purchases and roll again tailpipe emission guidelines. 

No matter what Trump truly implements, Hyundai stated it’s dedicated to assembly clients the place they’re. 

“This EV journey was not one thing that we have been spurred into,” Boyle instructed a bunch of chosen journalists forward of the revealing. “It’s primarily based on our north star of progress for humanity and dealing in the direction of being a sensible mobility firm… Prospects need a alternative.”

Hyundai stated that it’s nonetheless finding out trim strains for the American market and that it could supply extra particulars when the automotive goes into manufacturing within the spring of 2025. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 shall be a 2026 mannequin with a deliberate on-sale date someday in Q2 of subsequent yr.