2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 All Electric 3-Row SUV: Everything Hyundai Does Well, Elevated
Not to be rude, but you might think of the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 as the ‘kitchen sink’ of cars. It has everything except the kitchen sink. Everything that Hyundai does well. Everything that family car buyers want. Everything that designers are adding to the hottest car designs. Everything that makes EVs more efficient and go further on a charge.
That’s because Hyundai is incredibly focused on the goal of selling 2 million electric cars a year by 2030. To meet that goal, the latest new model is the Ioniq 9, a 3-row SUV with a lounge-like feel defined by furniture-like details, a sleek exterior, and a design that makes this large car look and feel smaller.
I got a sneak peek at the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9, a 3-row all-electric SUV, and this is what it promises.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used. Additionally, I was Hyundai’s guest for this first-look opportunity.
Hyundai’s EV Commitment Continues
Yes, the news is correct when they say EV sales are slowing. But that’s slowing, not stalled or stopped. Even in a slow market, sales of cars like the EV9 are blowing up sales records. EV9 is Kia’s best-selling EV and represents a new market for the brand. Rivian, Ioniq 5, Tesla, and the Mustang Mach-E continue to grow in popularity. Hyundai sees the future of cars as electric-powered, software-focused, comfortable and chic.
Read: Kia EV9 First Drive: The Family Electric SUV We’ve Been Waiting For
Hyundai Ioniq 9 is Built With Family Time in Mind
Recognizing that families travel together, from short hops around town to bucket-list road trips, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is intended to make the most of that time with luxe features, lots of conveniences, and a quick-charging, long-driving infrastructure that will make travel easy.
Read: 2025 Volvo EX90 First Drive: The All-Electric 3-Row SUV You’ve Been Waiting For
Long Range, Fast Charging and Nice Trim Options
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 will be available in a number of trim options; we saw the SEL, pictured above, and the Calligraphy edition, Hyundai’s fully loaded model. Buyers will also be able to choose from 3 power train options: a rear wheel drive model that generates 215 HP and two dual motor AWD models, one that produces 303 HP and the most powerful at 422 HP.
All powertrains have a range of about 300 miles on a single charge and incorporate Hyundai’s fast-charging technology that allows it to replenish 80% of the battery in just 18 minutes at a DC Fast Charger. Buyers who charge at home can completely recharge overnight with a level 2 charger.
Read: VW ID Buzz First Drive: This 3-row 7 Passenger *Bus* Means No More Boring Family Cars
Easy Charging on the Road Is Included
The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 9 includes a great thing: NACS charge ports. This means that owners can charge at Tesla stations; this is the same tech that Teslas use. Hyundai will also include an adapter so that Ioniq 9 drivers can still charge at any charge station or use an older charging system installed at home.
To make charging on the go easier, the Ioniq 9 is outfitted with Hyundai Pay, a plug-and-charge system that also allows you to automatically pay for parking and a few other things; the list of auto-pay options will grow over time.
In addition, Hyundai is partnering with iONNA ‘rechargeries’ charge cafes, a collaboration among many carmakers to build out locations around the country.
Read: Minivans Just Got Really Interesting. Here’s Why You Should Check Your Ego and Take Look
The Best of All Hyundai Interiors
Aside from all the good news about the Hyundai electric lifestyle, the interior of the Ioniq 9 is fresh and modern. And, it takes from the best of all the things Hyundai has added to its cars in recent years. This includes the wide glass touch screen that houses the driver display and multimedia system, a comfortable steering wheel with driver assist and media function buttons, and a floating center console that opens up the space in the front seat.
The prototype models we saw were outfitted in a sustainably created leatherette, a modern way to emulate the performance of leather without the environmental impact. We also saw the use of novel and innovative materials on the dashboard, door panels, and other touch points.
This Center Console is a Highlight
Playing on the center console in the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 9 has a sliding center console that can be positioned to create space in the front seat and move the rear of the console back so rear seat passengers can more easily reach it. There’s also a nice cubby under the air vents where you can stow something small like a crossbody bag.
The moveable center console has a wireless charge pad, cup holders, and controls for the drive mode selector, parking cameras, and auto hold.
Updated Tech Now Includes “Hey Hyundai” Voice Assistance
Hyundai has completely updated the operating system on the touch screen adding even more features, including, “Hey Hyundai” voice assistance. Buyers will also find new functions for driver assist features, energy use feedback, Hyundai Pay, and more.
And then, there’s video streaming. When the car is in park you’ll be able to stream your favorite platforms right on the center screen.
Incredible Seating In Second and 3rd Row
This one stunned me: The seating in the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is fantastic. There are four full sets of child car seat LATCHes, and plenty of room for both rear-facing and front-facing car seats in all four seats, even in the 3rd row. I sat in all seats, measured, and here’s what I found:
- With center seats back, I measured 36” seat back to seat back with the driver’s seat set for me; I’m 5’8″. 36″ is 7″ more than the minimum for a rear-facing child car seat
- With center seats positioned in the middle of the rail I found 34” seat back to seat back;
- With center row seats all the way forward I measured 31” seat back to seat back
- Center row seats are slide and tilt so the 3rd row can be accessed with a forward-facing car seat LATCH installed
Built-in North America In Just a Few Short Months
You’ll see the Hyundai Ioniq 9 on the road shortly; it’s scheduled to go into production in Hyundai’s Georgia assembly plant this winter. If federal tax incentives still exist, it should qualify; it will probably qualify for other incentives by state or municipality, too.
Hyundai hasn’t announced pricing yet, but the guess is it’ll start in the high $50K range and top out at something around $75K—which is where its competitors are positioned too.
We’re excited to see this inventive and thoughtful all-electric 3-row SUV on our streets soon, and when we do we’ll hop in for an elevated, elegant ride.
Categorized:Car Reviews
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