Hyundai Ioniq 9: Pixel-Perfect Family Hauler?
Image Credit: Hyundai.
Hyundai's at it again with their pixelated EVs, this time in the form of the Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV that's vying for the title of Hyundai's flagship. I love a good electric car as much as the next gal, but I can't help but raise an eyebrow at this whole pixel thing. To me, it looks like they spent way too much time playing Minecraft, and then decided to design a car. But who am I to judge? Let's have a closer look at this pixelated paradise and see what it's all about.
The Ioniq 9 is a big departure from Hyundai's current flagship SUV, the Palisade. It's longer, taller, and has a much more distinctive design. The front end is dominated by a pair of vertical LED lights that wouldn't look out of place in a retro arcade game. And the back? Well, it's basically a giant pane of glass framed by more pixelated lights. It's certainly a head-turner, but I'm not sure if it's in a good way or a bad way.
Image Credit: Hyundai.
Inside, the Ioniq 9 is all about space and comfort. Hyundai calls it "lounge-like," and I can see why. The flat floor and long wheelbase create a cavernous cabin, and the optional "Relaxation Seats" let you recline like you're in first class. The center console slides back and forth, giving both front and rear passengers access to storage. And speaking of storage, there are USB-C ports in all three rows that are connected to the high-voltage battery, so you can charge your devices without draining the car's battery. Clever, huh?
The Ioniq 9 shares a lot of its mechanical bits with its cousin, the Kia EV9. It comes in three flavors: Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, and Performance AWD. The RWD model has a single motor on the rear axle rated at 215 horsepower. The AWD models add a second motor to the front axle, boosting power to 310 horsepower for the Long Range and 435 horsepower for the Performance model.
Now, let's have a look at that all-important range. Hyundai is aiming for an EPA rating of over 300 miles for all configurations, thanks to a massive 110.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack. That's enough for a road trip from New York to Boston without a hiccup. And if you do need to charge up, the Ioniq 9 can juice up from 10 to 80 percent in just 24 minutes on a 350-kilowatt DC fast charger. Plus, it's equipped with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, so you can even use Tesla's Supercharger network.
So, how quick is this pixelated beast? Well, the Performance model can sprint from zero to 60 miles per hour in a brisk 4.9 seconds. That's faster than many sports cars used to do just a few short years ago. The Long Range AWD model takes a bit longer, clocking in at 6.2 seconds, while the RWD model saunters to 60 mph in a leisurely 8.4 seconds. Not exactly neck-snapping, but it's a family SUV, not a drag racer.
Image Credit: Hyundai.
Now, the million-dollar question: how much will this pixelated palace on wheels set you back? Hyundai hasn't released official pricing yet, but they've hinted that it'll be in the same ballpark as the Kia EV9. That means you can expect to pay anywhere from $56,395 to over $80,000, depending on the trim and options.
The Ioniq 9 is set to hit the streets in Korea and the United States in the first half of 2025, with Europe and other markets following later. So, if you're in the market for a spacious, tech-laden, and slightly quirky electric SUV, the Ioniq 9 might be just the ticket. Just be prepared to embrace the pixels.
