Space Vehicle: The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9

I know what you're thinking:

"The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 may be flashy and, yeah, it's a contemporary design, but---space vehicle, Mike?"

I'm not talking about outer space. I'm talking about inner space. And so's Hyundai's ad agency:

2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 TV advertising

Arriving a year behind its corporate cousin, the Kia EV9, the IONIQ 9 shares the same platform, but tones down the EV9's radical styling to merely cutting-edge, while dialing up both interior space and range per charge.

It's an incredibly refined machine. And, intended as the electric companion to Hyundai's knockout new 2026 Palisade, that's no surprise.

A bunch of the credit for the otherworldly feeling of refinement goes to RANC---Hyundai's world's first Road-noise Active Noise Control. And it's not just quiet, it's smooth, with a MacPherson suspension up front and multi-link in the rear, with self-leveling dampers and hydro-bushing.

Precision isn't sacrificed for that ride comfort, either---its dynamic torque vectoring makes it a joy to drive on winding roads.

There are five trim levels of IONIQ 9, and they all get between 311 and 335 miles per charge (EPA estimates, your range may vary).

That means the IONIQ 9 picks up where the EV9 leaves off (its five trim levels get between 230 and 305 miles per charge). The trim level I drove, the IONIQ 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy, is a 311-miler (again, your range may vary).

Regular readers of my EV reviews will say "hey, that charging port looks different." That is an NACS (North American Charging Standard) port. Tesla developed it, and other automakers, including Hyundai, are contracting with Tesla and switching from CCS (Combined Charging System).

The IONIQ 9 is one of the first non-Tesla vehicles to have NACS as standard. Other automakers are keeping their CCS ports and including adaptors with their cars.

That move gives IONIQ 9 drivers a lot more flexibility in charging, allowing use of the 15,000 Tesla Supercharger locations nationwide.

There is a drawback, though. The Hyundai IONIQ line (IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6 and now IONIQ 9, as well as Genesis and Kia EVs) has an 800-volt charging architecture. It plays well with DC fast chargers, allowing 10%-80% recharges in under 25 minutes.

Tesla Superchargers are plentiful, convenient and considerably more reliable than the Electrify America, EVgo and ChargePoint DC fast chargers, but they are 400-volt and can't deliver power as quickly as the IONIQ 9 and its family can take it. A 10%-80% recharge on a Supercharger can take 40 minutes or more.

The good news---the IONIQ 9 comes with an adapter that lets you also use the DC fast chargers. So it was back to Electrify America (in the same parking lot as the Superchargers), where I found an available, working charger and went from 35% to 80% in 16 minutes.

That speed was thanks to the charger putting out the second-best sustained charging rate I've seen so far---213 kW.

About that "space" thing---there are 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seats of the IONIQ 9, topping the Kia EV9's 20.2.

That expands to 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded---and again, that beats cousin Kia's 43.5. Folding the second row bumps available space up to 86.9 cubic feet, while the EV9 manages only 81.

Not counted in the cargo numbers is the IONIQ 9's frunk (front trunk), because there really isn't one---it's just a small bin that's already packed with a tire mobility kit, 120-volt AC charger and adapters.

As is usual, things get tight in the way-back. Third row passengers get only 32 inches of legroom.

Folks in the second row, though, will think they're in first class, with more legroom than even the driver and front passenger (42.8 inches to the front row's 41.5) and their own climate controls, including heated and ventilated seats.

Prices start at $58,955 for the IONIQ 9 RWD S. Our test vehicle was the top of the line IONIQ 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy.

Starting price is $74,990 ($76,590 including destination, but you get a lot for that money, including a comprehensive suite of active safety features, 21-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights, proximity key with pushbutton start, synthetic leather seats, aluminum interior trim, a microfiber suede headliner, heated and ventilated power seats in the front and seconds rows, with ergomotion and meory for the driver's seat, power-folding second and third-row seats, a heated power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, three-zone automatic climate control, a head-up display, digital rearview mirror with HomeLink, a hands-free smart power liftgate with auto open, ambient interior lighting, a front console that can slide back to be used in the second row, rear side window sunshades, front and rear USB ports, a Bose premium audio system with a 90-day trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless device charging, digital key, a wi-fi hot spot trial, Hyundai's Bluelink Connected Services and a 120-volt AC outlet in the cargo compartment.

While it's not exactly a one-price deal, the only extra-cost options on our tester were carpeted floor mats ($230) and a Vehicle to Load (V2L) adapter ($220). That puts the as-tested price at $77,040.

That price can be offset a bit with a $7,500 EV tax credit, but the recently-passed tax and spending cut bill eliminates it after September 30, 2025.

That is not an insignificant price tag, but the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 is not an insignificant vehicle. This looks, feels and drives every bit of 80 grand. It and the gasoline and hybrid Palisades make a formidable lineup of three-row SUVs.