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 set 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 based mostly 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 available on the market, together with the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Ioniq 5N. And it’ll have a 110.3kWh battery that Hyundai mentioned 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 will likely be additive.

The Efficiency AWD (there isn’t any Efficiency RWD) will get a pair of 160kW motors on the entrance and rear. Based on Hyundai, solely the 600-plus-hp Ioniq 5N could 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 mentioned that it’ll additionally provide prospects an adapter for non-Tesla chargers. The port is positioned on the passenger-side rear panel, which can current an issue at Tesla Superchargers with brief cords. For instance, house owners 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 Heart, mentioned 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 house owners with Hyundai’s Residence 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 folks to chill out 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 way of to the third row or be accessed by second-row passengers. 

There’s additionally a UV-C sterilizer within the glovebox (in abroad markets, will probably 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 asking “Options on Demand.” By the app retailer, prospects 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 wish to evolve the options that folks really inform us that they’re keen to pay for,” mentioned Olabisi Boyle, senior VP of product planning and mobility technique at Hyundai Motor North America. Hyundai did intensive client analysis earlier than transferring forward with the plan, she added.

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

Hyundai’s present electrical lineup contains the Ioniq 5 and 6 — and shortly the 9. The corporate mentioned that this unusual quantity leap 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 will likely be in-built Georgia at Hyundai’s new “Metaplant” in Bryan County. The Metaplant is a three way partnership between the Korean battery maker LG Power Answer (LGES) and Hyundai and represents a $7.6 billion funding within the state.

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

“Ioniq 9 pricing will likely be introduced nearer to launch, however we are going to take all related market elements into consideration to reach at aggressive numbers,” mentioned 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 really implements, Hyundai mentioned it’s dedicated to assembly prospects the place they’re. 

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

Hyundai mentioned that it’s nonetheless finding out trim traces for the American market and that it might provide extra particulars when the automotive goes into manufacturing within the spring of 2025. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 will likely be a 2026 mannequin with a deliberate on-sale date someday in Q2 of subsequent 12 months.