2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9

Until quite recently, getting an electric vehicle with three useable rows of seats meant springing for an expensive luxury model. The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 (formerly and briefly known as the Ioniq 7) is among the first 3-row all-electric SUVs from a mainstream manufacturer. It builds on the virtues of the Hyundai Palisade, the brand’s stellar gas-powered midsize 3-row SUV, with an even roomier interior, a whisper-quiet ride, and, of course, electric efficiency. This aerodynamically designed EV achieves excellent range ratings, going over 300 miles on a full charge regardless of the trim or motor configuration. With an interior that’s both practical and upscale, a pleasant driving experience, class-leading warranty coverage, fast charging, and excellent range, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is simply one of the best 3-row EVs money can buy.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric SUVs, including the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is an all-new model for 2026, expanding the brand’s lineup of electric offerings from the Ioniq subbrand. It shares a platform with the also-awesome Kia EV9.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is priced close to the Kia EV9 when similarly equipped, and the Hyundai has a slightly lower cost of entry if you want all-wheel drive. It’s a more affordable alternative to 3-row electric luxury SUVs like the Rivian R1S and Volvo EX90. Another option worth mentioning in 3-row EVs is the similarly priced Volkswagen ID. Buzz.

Before buying an Ioniq 9, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. It’s too early to predict the resale value of the Hyundai Ioniq 9, but the similar Kia EV9 enjoys resale value that’s above average for an EV. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is powered by a 215-horsepower electric motor with rear-wheel drive in its base configuration. The SE and SEL models use a 303-hp dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive, and the trims with “Performance” in their name turn up the heat with 422 hp and all-wheel drive. The one we drove was a Performance Calligraphy model, and we were impressed with the electric powertrain’s confident acceleration, both from a standstill and at speed on the highway. Most families will be well served by the mid-range 303-hp powertrain, and in our experience driving the single-motor version of the Kia EV9, it was a bit underpowered for an SUV this size.

One of the things that stood out to us the most in our testing of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is that it’s remarkably quiet. Most EVs are quiet, but even by EV standards, the cabin of the Ioniq 9 is a sanctuary with minimal mechanical noise from the motors or road noise from the tires. This hushed ride contributes to the generally serene experience of driving the Ioniq 9. The handling and braking are adequate and predictable for a midsize SUV, and we noticed the steering firming up quite a bit when we switched to Sport mode. Overall, for daily commuting and long-distance cruising, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is one of the most comfortable and peaceful ways to get around, this side of a luxury SUV.

Range and Charging

Range is a strong suit of the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9. It’s rated at 335 miles with the single-motor, rear-wheel-drive powertrain, 320 miles with the dual-motor setup in the SE and SEL models, and 311 miles with the Performance trims. In the small world of non-luxury 3-row EVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 has the best range, and it’s the only one with a 300+ mile range in every configuration.

The charging speed is similarly impressive. With public DC fast charging, a 350 kW charger can charge the car from 10% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes. With a Tesla V3 Supercharger, it takes 41 minutes. With Level 2 charging, which can be installed in your garage, charging from 10% to 80% takes an estimated nine hours and 40 minutes.

The sleek and futuristic design of the Ioniq 9’s exterior carries over into the interior. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, and although you can’t get real leather, the H-Tex upholstery in the SEL trim and up feels premium. Two-tone interior color schemes are optional, and we’re especially fond of the Dark Teal two-tone look available in the Calligraphy trims.

A few features that are standard across the board include heated front seats, dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, and tri-zone automatic climate control. Upgrade to the upper trims to unlock luxury features like an Ergo Motion driver’s seat (derived from the Genesis luxury brand), a panoramic sunroof, power-folding third-row seats, Bose audio, and a head-up display.

Seating space is impressive in all three rows, by midsize SUV standards. The second row is comfortable for adults of just about any size. The front center console is accessible to the second-row passengers thanks to a dual-hinged lid, and a big drawer slides out on the bottom to hold the passengers’ tablets, headphones, snacks, or other sundries. Second-row captain’s chairs in the Limited and Calligraphy models make the second row more comfortable and the third row easier to access.

The third row has 32 inches of legroom, which is a little more than the Kia EV9 and the gas-powered Hyundai Palisade. It’s a little tight for adults but suitable for kids. There’s 21.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.9 cubic feet behind the first row. These dimensions also beat the EV9 and Palisade. In the case of Hyundai SUVs, going electric comes with no compromise on interior practicality.

The striking exterior design of the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is smooth, slippery, and aerodynamic, contributing to its efficiency and outstanding range ratings. Although its body is curvy, it has blocky design elements in the light signatures front and back. Hyundai told us the blocky look was partially inspired by Minecraft (no, really). We think it’s a great marriage of squares and curves to create an interesting design that doesn’t look quite like anything else outside of Hyundai’s Ioniq subbrand, strengthening the unique visual identity of Hyundai EVs.

300+ mile range
Some EVs have a big gap between the max range rating and the range of the one you actually want. Not so much with the Hyundai Ioniq 9. Its max range in the rear-wheel-drive configuration is 335 miles, and even its least efficient variant goes 311 miles on a full charge.

DC Fast Charging
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 charges from 10% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes with DC fast charging in ideal conditions. This greatly reduces the waiting time involved with keeping your EV charged up on a long drive.

NACS port
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 comes native with a Tesla-style North American Charging System (NACS) port. This makes it easy to charge up at Tesla charging stations, and you can use any other fast charging station with a CCS adapter, maximizing the charging network that’s available to the owner.

Highway Driving Assist 2
Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist 2 is one of our favorite semi-autonomous highway driving systems. You still have to keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, but this natural-feeling system makes the drive safer and more relaxed by keeping you centered in your lane at a safe distance from the car in front of you.

Dual 12.3-inch displays
The Ioniq 9 has a pair of 12.3-inch displays in a single housing, so they look like one wide screen. The one directly in front of the driver handles instrument cluster duties. The one in the center is a touchscreen for infotainment functions. The look is becoming common, but it’s common because it looks great, and more upscale than this car’s price tag.

Wireless smartphone connectivity
This SUV comes standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. These features make it easy to bring maps, music, and more to the screens in the car without removing your phone from your purse or pocket.

Every 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 uses the same lithium-ion 110.3 kWh battery pack. The base single-motor configuration with rear-wheel drive makes 215 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Upgrading to the SE and SEL trims brings a dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive producing 303 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, and the range-topping Performance models pump out 422 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The combined efficiency ratings for the Ioniq 9 are 92 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) for the S trim, 88 MPGe for the SE and SEL models, and 85 MPGe for the Performance trims. For reference, the Kia EV9 gets between 80-89 MPGe, while the VW ID. Buzz gets 83 MPGe with rear-wheel drive and 80 MPGe with all-wheel drive. In this competitive set, the Ioniq 9 gets the most miles out of the juice in its battery, translating to low fuel costs compared to similar 3-row EVs.

Class-Leading Warranty

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This is tied with the Kia EV9 for best-in-class warranty coverage for a midsize electric SUV.

Safety

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 hasn’t been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A long list of standard Hyundai SmartSense safety tech features includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention warning, Highway Driving Assist 2, and parking sensors. Optional safety features include a surround-view monitor, a blind-spot camera, and reverse automatic emergency braking.