November 21, 2024

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Hyundai Ioniq 9, the automaker's first all-electric large sport utility vehicle with the longest wheelbase ever, is showcased at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, South Korea on Wednesday. (Hyundai Motor Company)

Hyundai Motor is expanding its Ioniq lineup with the introduction of the Ioniq 9, its first large, all-electric sport utility vehicle. The Ioniq 9 made its global debut Thursday at the Los Angeles Auto Show, following a media event for South Korean reporters a day earlier at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang.

Originally introduced as the SEVEN concept in 2021, the Ioniq 9 has evolved into a production-ready model that prioritizes practicality, comfort, and versatility, with a clear focus on catering to North America’s strong demand for large SUVs. 

“We expect about 80 percent of sales to come from the US, with the remainder split between Europe, South Korea, and other regions,” said Ji Sung-won, Hyundai Motor Company’s head of brand marketing, at the vehicle’s World Premiere event held at the iconic Goldstein House in Los Angeles.

Interior designed for 'home-like coziness'

Hyundai’s designers set out to create a cabin that feels less like a car and more like a shared living space. “The Ioniq 9 was designed to provide the quietness of an EV with the spaciousness of a large SUV, while focusing on home-like coziness,” said Kim Sung-joon, the vehicle’s lead interior designer, at the media event in South Korea.

(Hyundai Motor Company)

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

A standout feature of this approach is the swivel seats in the second row, a first for Hyundai. These seats can rotate 180 degrees to face the third row, creating a lounge-like atmosphere where passengers can interact. Importantly, the Ioniq 9’s 3,130-millimeter wheelbase, the longest of any Hyundai passenger car, ensures that there’s plenty of space between rows, even when the seats are turned.

The third row, often an afterthought in SUVs, is surprisingly spacious thanks to Hyundai’s E-GMP, or Electric Global Modular Platform. The flat floor extends the cabin height and legroom throughout, making the third row more usable for adults. A reporter over six feet tall at the Korean event noted enough headroom for a fist to fit between his head and the ceiling. Accessing the third row is also straightforward: a button in the second row automatically tilts and slides the seat forward to allow easier entry.

Flexible features for passengers

The Ioniq 9’s interior was designed to adapt to a variety of uses. The swivel seats create a more social setting, but there can be creative uses, too. For instance, folding the third row and swiveling the second can transform the cabin into a makeshift movie theater with a portable projector. A 100W USB port and Hyundai’s V2L, or Vehicle-to-Load, system enable users to power devices like a projector or charge electronics directly from the car’s battery.

However, the swivel seats won’t come standard and will be offered as an optional feature in Korea and Europe. Hyundai is still determining whether this feature will be available in the US due to regulatory restrictions. Other second-row options include reclining seats that provide a “weightless” sensation by adjusting the seat back and bottom for optimal support, massage seats that use sensors to deliver targeted relief, and 6:4 split-folding seats for additional cargo flexibility.

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

The driver’s area is also designed for practicality, with a Universal Island 2.0 console that can slide back 190 mm, creating easier access for passengers in the rear. The driver’s seat features a “welcome function” that moves the steering wheel and seat automatically for easier entry and exit.

The Ioniq 9 is powered by a 110.3-kilowatt-hour battery, offering a maximum range of 532 kilometers per charge based on Hyundai’s internal testing. While final certification is pending, Hyundai expects all three powertrain configurations -- two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive performance -- to exceed 500 km per charge.

The SUV will be available in three trims -- Exclusive, Prestige and Calligraphy -- and in both six- and seven-seat configurations. Hyundai has yet to disclose pricing, but plans to launch the Ioniq 9 in Korea in the first half of 2025, with availability in the US and Europe to follow.

(Hyundai Motor Company)

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

Pressing a single button in the second row once automatically tilts and slides the seat forward to allow easier entry. (Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

(Moon Joon-hyun/The Korea Herald)

By Moon Joon-hyun (mjh@heraldcorp.com)