Hyundai Ionic 9 a versatile, spacious and handsome EV

HYUNDAI

The 2026 Hyundai Ionic 9 electric vehicle is the automaker's largest.

Hyundai is keeping up with its reputation of producing stylish, functional vehicles that offer a lot of bang for the buck. 

Its latest is the Ionic 9, the company’s largest vehicle to date. Not only is the Ionic 9 big, but it’s also an EV – a three-row EV. This kind of vehicle is still rare but gaining popularity quickly. The Ionic 9 can be configured to carry six passengers if you go for the comfortable captain’s chairs in the middle row or seven if you opt for the bench.

The Ionic 9 is a very handsome vehicle that avoids the slippery look by offering a very chiseled stance. The rear mimics a Volvo XC-90’s vertical brake lights, but larger. The front fascia has an LED strip that runs from side to side above the fog lamps. There is a body-colored strip separating the strip and lights. The headlamps are at the corners but are a cluster of small, square LEDs. Overall, the look is upscale and expensive.

The interior continues the upscale theme. The gauge display is a curved screen that flows into the touch screen which measures to nearly halfway across the dash. The gauge cluster is configurable, but the graphics could be a bit better. The touch screen portion is bright but a little slow to respond. This would have been a great opportunity for Hyundai to introduce a new graphics package but that may come next year.

My test car was a Calligraphy Performance model that was nearly loaded (there’s on model above this). The interior was covered grey leather and vinyl with soft touch surfaces in all the right places. Dark teal covered the seat backs with grey leather covering the seat cushions. It’s an elegant look that makes the Ionic 9 look posh.

There’s a bunch of standard tech that lets you know you are sitting in something special. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as is the Alexia AI assistant. You can do a lot of functions by voice control, but I look for switches and buttons first. 

There are not a lot of physical buttons but then touch was easy to use. Automatic climate control takes care of multiple seating zones. My only disappointment is the Bose Centerpoint audio system. It’s generally one of my favorite but I got spoiled by the Bang and Olufsen system used in a Ford vehicle I drove before. 

This is a good system, but the B&O belongs in a vehicle like this.

Hyundai has optimized every inch of space in the vehicle to provide outstanding passenger space. Front passengers usually get the best seats and the Ionic 9 continues that trend. The driver’s and passenger’s seat are power operated, included a switch on the passenger’s seat to allow the driver or rear passenger to move the seat. Second row passenger’s captain’s chairs with the driver’s side seat equipped with power controls for easy access to the third row.

The third row can be folded electronically for more cargo room which already generous. Yes, adults can fit in the rear and have good space. If more is needed the second-row seats can move forward. No matter which seats you choose, you’ll have adequate space for long-trip comfort.

The Ionic 9 Calligraphy is powered by two electric motors – one each on front and rear axles – to give it all-wheel drive. The motors are driven by a 110-kWh battery and make a combined 422 h horsepower. This vehicle can charge from 10% to 80% in about 24 minutes if you are using a Tesla supercharger. The vehicle comes with an adapter to use at non-Tesla chargers.  Overall range is listed at 334 miles but the Ionic 9 can get more than that depending on drive mode and temperature factors. I charged to 90% and the gauge displayed 350 miles range.

I didn’t empty the battery, but I can tell you I never feared being stranded. The Ionic 9 managed energy very well. It was also very quick and quiet on the highway. Power is available in an instant. Passing is certainly no problem and quick lane changers are insane. The steering may be a bit too light but just by a touch. 

Ride quality is great. I found the vehicle to be comfortable on a variety of surfaces. Bumps and thumps are suppressed as well as noise. Tire noise varies depending on the road surface, but it never gets loud. Wind noise is surprisingly low considering the wedge shape.

I’m still not completely sold on electric vehicles but with each passing vehicle I review I can see why buyers are adopting this type of transportation. The Ionic 9 is a winner, despite a few flaws. 

The Calligraphy model is expensive, but you get a lot of creature comforts for the price. You can drop down to the entry level S model and still get a lot of the best functions. Power would drop to 215 horses but step up to the SE and get AWD and 303 horses. If the Calligraphy is what you want, it starts at $74,990.

Pros:

• New for 2026

• Handsome, block styling

• Loads of horsepower

• Quick passing power

• Abundant passenger space

• Long list of standard equipment 

• Quiet, comfortable ride

• Exceptional build quality

• Quality interior materials 

• Safety features galore

• Useable tech

Cons:

• Steering could be better

• Stereo needs fine tuning 

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