Hyundai Ioniq 9 Is a Big, Bold, and Almost Budget-Friendly Electric SUV

Hyundai is finally throwing its hat into the electric vehicle ring with the 2026 Ioniq 9. This three-row electric SUV promises to offer a spacious interior, a long driving range, and a relatively affordable price tag. But can it compete with the likes of Tesla, Rivian, and Kia?

The Ioniq 9 is a big vehicle, measuring 199.2 inches in length. That’s slightly longer than the Tesla Model X and just shy of the Rivian R1S. But the Ioniq 9’s wheelbase is the longest of the three, measuring 123.3 inches. This means a mighty, spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers and cargo.

Speaking of the interior, the Ioniq 9 offers 41 inches of headroom and 42.8 inches of legroom in the second row. Third-row passengers have 39.7 inches of headroom and 32 inches of legroom. Cargo space is equally generous, with 46.7 cubic feet of hauling capacity with the rear seats folded flat.

Hyundai has also paid attention to the design of the Ioniq 9. The company calls the design “aerosthetic,” which is a mix of aerodynamic, innovative, and sophisticated styling. The front of the Ioniq 9 integrates Hyundai’s parametric pixel design into the LED lights and lower fascia, while a wide skid plate draws attention to the crossover’s low and wide stance.

The Ioniq 9 will be available in three different configurations: long-range rear-wheel drive, long-range all-wheel drive, and an all-wheel-drive-only performance model. All three configurations will use a 110.3-kilowatt-hour battery.

The long-range rear-wheel-drive model is expected to deliver 335 miles on a single charge. Hyundai expects every trim to deliver over 300 miles. Thanks to its 800-volt architecture, the Ioniq 9 can recoup 80 percent of its battery capacity in just 24 minutes when hooked up to a 350 kW DC fast charger. It also has vehicle-to-load capabilities, which means it can power external devices such as computers and televisions or even charge other EVs.

Hyundai has not yet announced pricing for the Ioniq 9, but it is expected to be more affordable than the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S. The Kia EV9, which shares its architecture with the Ioniq 9, starts at around $57,000. It’s possible that the Ioniq 9 could have a similar starting price.

The Ioniq 9 will face stiff competition from the Tesla Model X, Rivian R1S, and Kia EV9. The Model X is the most established player in the segment, and it offers a luxurious interior and impressive performance. The R1S is a more rugged option with a focus on off-road capability. The EV9 is a more affordable option, but it still offers a spacious interior and a long driving range.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 is shaping up to be a compelling option in the electric SUV segment. It has a spacious interior, a long driving range, and a relatively affordable price tag. It’ll be a while before we see how does it really stack up against the competition, but it certainly has the potential to be a success.