2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9

It's a rare day in hades that I don't have some kind of range anxiety while driving an electric vehicle - especially in a rural area. But as the temps skyrocketed up to 90 degrees in Georgia while driving the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9, that rare day happened. We started out at 8 a.m., had the air conditioning on high the entire day, and I didn't feel the need to nervously glance at the range estimator. I mean, sure, Hyundai isn't going to send us on a loop that fails us, but after 10 hours, a lot of idling and a few pit stops on the winding roads surrounding Savannah, we still had about 100 miles of range left. 

I'll consider that a win in the EV book. Then again, I think the new Ioniq 9 in general is a win. 

HOW IT DROVE 

We were in the top-tier, top-powered Calligraphy trim, and the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had all the instantaneous acceleration I wanted. This new three-row SUV is equipped with a 100.3 kWh battery, and the top trim delivers 422 total horsepower. I kind of felt like the pig in the Geico commercials sticking a windcatcher out the window when I punched the accelerator. In my head I was screaming: Weeeeeeee, wuh wuh weeeeeee! 

The Ioniq 9 also handles well on country roads and highways. Though this is a three-row SUV with a longer wheelbase, it doesn't drive big. And the wide-open window space creates excellent visibility out all the windows. 

Outside of that, the Ioniq 9 is super quiet. Wind noise, road noise and noise surrounding vehicles was remarkably absent. Hyundai did a great job mitigating the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) with sound-absorbing pads, active noise canceling , acoustic glass, structural enhancements and other insulation. 

WHAT THE 2026 HYUNDAI IONIQ 9 DOES RIGHT 

I know this may be an unpopular statement, but: I like the design of the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9. Yes, it's different. Polarizing, I think, is the word I've heard used to describe it. But I like that it doesn't look like anything else on the road, and I love Hyundai's new strategy to build purpose-driven vehicles. With a long wheelbase and boattail shape, Ioniq 9 puts the focus on interior space. Even the third row has excellent headroom, and the cargo area is big enough to fit athletic gear or strollers or even my mom's walker - without the need to put the third row down. 

We were driving the top-tier Calligraphy trims, and all the interior materials and design elements were on point. The seats in all positions were comfy - yes, that includes the third row - and I loved swiping my fingers across the high-end accents and trim pieces. 

I liked the available tech from the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the Digital Key that allows you to use your phone as the key fob. There's an enormous list of standard safety features including blind spot monitoring, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Available safety tech includes the blind view monitor, 360-degree camera, automatic reverse braking and "smaht pahk." 

RANGE & CHARGING 

Perhaps the biggest thing the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 gets right, however, is how it handles the EVness of the vehicle. First up, and this is a biggie, the Ioniq 9 gets up to 335 miles of range. To be clear, this is only with the base rear-wheel-drive S trim. However, the lowest estimated range for this three-row SUV is still above 300 at 311 miles. For a vehicle of this size, that's a big deal. In comparison, the Kia EV9 has a max range of 304 miles. 

Second, the new Ioniq 9 comes standard with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. ICYMI, that's the Tesla charging standard. Furthermore, each vehicle gets a Combined Charging Standard (CCS) adapter, which opens up your options in terms of charging. You'll be able to go from 10 to 80% in 40 minutes using a NACS Supercharger and about 24 minutes with a CCS adapter at a 350-kW DC faster charger. If you're using Level 2 at home, you'll go from 10 to 100% in less than 10 hours. 

A FEW HEAD SCRATCHERS 

I genuinely like the 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9, but there are a few things that need a mulligan. Let's start with the wireless charger. Why can't automakers get this right? General Motors has managed it, so it's doable. But Hyundai fails miserably with its wireless charger. In fact, at one point I was down to 15% charge, so I set my phone on the charger hoping it would juice me up to 20%. Instead, after a half hour, it overheated my phone, and my charge dropped to 13%. 

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! 

The next head scratcher is more of a Jill problem. I just can't get used to the way the Hyundai gearshift operates with a twist forward to drive and a twist backward to reverse. In the days of yore, drive was always a downward pull, no matter if the shifter was on the column or the console. So, it's a mind mess for me. I suppose an owner would get used to it, but I've never had Hyundai vehicles long enough for it to make sense to me. To further complicate the gearshift situation, the power on button is located on the shaft of the shifter. 

Finally, I'm not sure I'm a fan of the relaxation seats with the leg rests. In the front row, it elongates the seat bottom, which might be uncomfortable for shorter drivers. In the second row, I didn't quite see how you could activate them comfortably without moving the front seats to a far-forward position. When the seats are reclined and the leg rest goes up, even I didn't have room for my legs to extend. 

WHAT'S IT GONNA COST YAH? 

Impressively, the new 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 starts at about $60k - that's with the longest possible range. In comparison, the Kia EV9 starts at $57,090. The price breakdown for the Ioniq 9, including destination, is as follows: 

• S ($60,555): standard with RWD, includes curved display, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 7 passenger seating, cloth seats. 
  SE ($64,356): Adds AWD. 
• SEL ($67,920): Adds 20-inch wheels, leatherette seats, 360-degree camera, blindview monitor, ambient lighting.
• Limited ($72,850): Adds 21-inch wheels, panoramic roof, second-row captains chairs, power third-row seats, digital key.
• Calligraphy ($76,590): Adds unique exterior, sueded headliner, head-up display.
• Calligraphy Design ($78,090): This is an optional design trim. 

OUR TAKE ON THE 2026 HYUNDAI IONIQ 9 

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a solid vehicle with great range and adaptable charging options. While the design may not be everyone's cup of tea, the tech and roomy interior will serve active families on the go quite well. In sum: I liked it. 

Editor's note: Driving impressions in this "First Drive" review are from an invitation-only automaker launch event that allowed special access to the vehicle and executives. Hyundai covered our accommodations, meals and transportation costs.