Hyundai's 3-Row EV SUV Will Debut Next Month
Hyundai's family of Ioniq electric vehicles, which currently consists of the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, has altered the electric vehicle market in largely positive ways — ushering in refreshing designs, impressive range and even serious performance at reasonable prices. As of next month, the lineup is set to grow even further — as the Korean automaker will unveil the three-row Ioniq 9 SUV.
Details are light for now, but the automaker has been gracious enough to provide us with some teaser images of the incoming model. We can make out a vague silhouette from the primary image; from the looks of it, the Ioniq 9 will be a slicked-back, wide-hipped SUV with a slight resemblance to the Polestar 3.
If the teaser image is to be believed, then Hyundai will give the Ioniq a proper full-sized hatchback rear, not some sort of coupe-like rear end. A snippet of the front end shows off a scale-like light bar with the brand's "Parametric Pixels" — the kind of lighting arrangement found on the current Hyundai Ioniq 6 — visible. Flush-mounted door handles will be featured alongside a set of fan-blade wheels, all in the name of aerodynamics.
Hyundai says that the Ioniq 9's design is focused on a mix of aerodynamic performance and aesthetic appeal, bundled together into a design language it calls "Aerosthetic." A maritime theme is also at play, as Hyundai says it models the interior and exterior with boats in mind. Ample space for deckhands and captains alike appears likely included in the dimensional design, thanks to an elongated wheelbase and third-row seating.
The teased design of the Ioniq 9 is in stark contrast to its supremely boxy sibling model, the Kia EV9. (Both are built on the Hyundai-Kia group's Electric-Global Modular Platform.) The initial Ioniq 9 concept, which was unveiled at the 2021 L.A. Auto Show, featured a 126-inch wheelbase, which is a hair longer than the Kia's; that seems On top of that, we suspect Hyundai has likely built in a variety of small changes to the Ioniq 9 compared to the Kia EV9.
Hyundai has yet to reveal battery size, capacity, or power figures for the Ioniq 9, but we anticipate they'll be similar to the EV9; that SUV features a variety of pack sizes and horsepower levels, ranging from 76.1 kWh to 99.8 kWh and 215 to 379 hp. Similarly, pricing for Kia's EV9 should indicate what prospective Ioniq 9 owners can expect, with the Kia offering a base price of $56,395 and a top-end cost of $75,395. The official launch of the Ioniq 9 will come next month; we'll have more details to share about the electric SUV then. And hopefully, the rumored Ioniq 9 N version won't be far behind.
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