2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Changes, MSRP, Dimensions – With its largest battery to date and standard NACS, the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 SUV boasts a range of over 300 miles and a simpler charging method. Ahead of the 2024 LA Auto Show, Hyundai held a ceremony Thursday night to unveil the newest member of their electric vehicle family.
The largest battery the Hyundai Motor Group has ever produced will make the three-row 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 electric SUV the largest EV in the brand’s lineup when it makes its debut the following year. It should have a range of over 300 miles in all configurations. Additionally, it will charge natively using the Tesla-invented NACS connection, which has access to Superchargers. The SUV’s thoughtful design and exceptional features make it, in my opinion, the most appealing Ioniq model to date. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Changes
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior & Interior
Even though Hyundai has now chosen to call the three-row SUV the “Ioniq 9,” which likely permits growth in the middle of the lineup, the design is a production-ready distillation of the 2021 Seven concept. Despite being somewhat larger, the 9 has many of the same technologies as its smaller brothers and is based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). It is a substitute for the highly successful Ioniq 6 and the Editors’ Choice-winning Ioniq 5 small eSUV.
With a bumper-to-bumper measurement of 199.2 inches, the full-size Hyundai Palisade, which was once the biggest model in Hyundai’s US catalog, is half a foot smaller than the 2026 Ioniq 9. The 9’s expanded 123.2-inch wheelbase, which is a full 9 inches longer than the flagship’s combustion-powered equivalent, is even more remarkable. Despite having the same footprint on paper as Rivian’s R1S, the Ioniq has more head and legroom in the backseat. When I tested the Ioniq 9 myself, I did find the second and third rows to be really pleasant.
The chassis of the Ioniq 9 is encircled by a stunning profile and a roofline that swiftly drops off towards the abrupt, upright tail after gradually climbing to a peak just over the second row. Strong, flared shoulders above the rear wheel arches highlight the SUV’s aerodynamic boat tail, which is created by the width diminishing towards the back end.
I adore how the SUV makes use of proportion and size. From the back, it resembles a huge sportwagon rather than an upright SUV because of its broad haunches, convergent greenhouse, and low roof. (Look at that shoulder and those vertical taillights if you don’t remember the Volvo V70R from the early 2000s.) However, when viewed from the front, the SUV’s width and dimensions are emphasized and magnified by the huge glossy black grille and powerful horizontal pixel light visor. It makes the SUV seem to move, and I like how its size seems to change based on whether it’s moving or approaching.
The half-moon “eyebrows” etched into the wheel arches are the most unique and intriguing feature of the design. The original Ioniq Seven idea, which had open square wheel arches that would have interfered with the car’s aerodynamics, is honored by these. The purpose of the eyebrows is to provide the appearance of a circular, squared-off hole. How well they do it is greatly influenced by the hue; shiny black body trim colors enhance the appearance. (Hyundai also said that if it wants to, it can easily change the wheel arch by equipping an off-road vehicle with large knobby tires.)
The Ioniq 9’s interior isn’t particularly surprising. The SUV has two 12-inch panels on its traditional digital dashboard, but because the screens are curved rather than flat, it feels and looks more upscale. A smart twin hinge mechanism allows you to reach the center console from either the front or back seats. The entire console may also slide back up to 7.5 inches for improved rearward reach and to provide space on the flat floor for bags or purses up front.
The Ioniq 9 will be available with camera-based digital side mirrors that enhance aerodynamics in its native South Korea. In the United States, drivers will check their blind spots using standard optical mirrors due to regulations. Additionally, we won’t be able to provide the SUVs with swivel second-row seats, which provide a unique viewpoint on parked comfort. But the captain’s seats, which can be made to recline, are a pleasant extra. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Changes
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Specs
Engine & Performance
There will be three varieties of the electric drivetrain. A single 160-kilowatt (215 horsepower) motor that generates 258 foot-pounds of torque powers the rear axle of the Long-Range RWD model. By connecting a second 70 kW motor to the front axle with Long-Range AWD, the total horsepower is raised to 254 hp. Finally, for a 0- to-60 mph sprint in an estimated 4.9 seconds, the Performance AWD version boosts the front axle to a symmetrical 160 kW (about 429 total horsepower combined).
Due to its 110.3 kWh battery pack, which is the biggest E-GMP EV to date, Hyundai claims that the Long-Range RWD variant, which sports 19-inch wheels, will go up to 335 miles on the EPA test cycle. The carmaker claims that every configuration will go more than 300 miles between charges, though there will probably be a range penalty if you go for the bigger 21-inch wheels, all-wheel drive, or some of the more costly enhancements.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Fuel Economy
Since the North American Charging System (NACS) connector is provided as standard, North American Ioniq 9s will be able to connect to Tesla’s Supercharger network right out of the box. (An extra adaptor will also allow charging at CCS stations.) With a 350 kW DC fast charger, the EV should be able to be fully charged from 10% to 80% state of charge in around 24 minutes. The EV can be charged with up to 235 kW.
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Safety Features
There are also three rows of 100-watt USB type-C charging connections around the cabin. Since the ports are actually a component of the EV’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) system, which takes electricity straight from the high-voltage battery rather than the 12-volt auxiliary battery, you won’t be stuck if you want to charge six MacBooks while parked.
In terms of V2L, the Ioniq 9 will be able to receive power from an external source through the use of an adapter. (But as opposed to the CCS V2L dongle now found in E-GMP cars, a separate adaptor will probably be required for its NACS connection.) With the right hardware, bidirectional charging—which allows the EV to connect to household energy systems—and vehicle-to-grid energy management are also feasible. 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Changes
2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 EV Release Date & Price
In the first part of 2025, Hyundai’s Georgia facility will start producing 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 vehicles for the US market. In any case, Hyundai is delaying the final price and specific specifications until closer to the sale date. Because the Ioniq 9 has identical technology but a larger battery, I think its starting price will be slightly more than that of the Kia EV9 Long Range, which retails for around $60,000.
The Hyundai would be eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit if it were manufactured in the United States. I can only hope Hyundai would still sell the 9 at a competitive price without the incentive, though, as it might not even be available when deliveries begin.
Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.
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