2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9: Green and Definitely Not Envious

For families needing three rows of seats and looking for a fuel-efficient vehicle, Hyundai now delivers with not one, not two, but three options. In addition to the Santa Fe Hybrid and the second-generation Palisade, the latter arriving this fall with an available hybrid powertrain, the lineup includes the all-new, all-electric IONIQ 9.

The Car Guide’s Julien Amado got an exclusive opportunity to test drive the IONIQ 9 in South Korea back in March, and then we spent a full week with it on the roads of Quebec just a short while ago. With so few electric three-row SUVs available at relatively decent prices right now, this Hyundai is looking to take the lead that its cousin, the Kia EV9, first grabbed last year.

• Also: 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 to Start at $59,999 in Canada
• Also: Hyundai Opens Mega U.S. Plant That’ll Build Up to 500,000 Vehicles a Year

How impressive is the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9? A lot. Styling is questionable, for sure, but we have to say it makes a very convincing case. The hardest part is choosing the right model at the right price. More on that later.

Not Everyone’s Cup of (Green) Tea

On the outside, the big brother of the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 is just as bold and unapologetically polarizing. Ironically, while the IONIQ 5 boasts a very angular, boxy exterior and the Kia EV6 looks stretched and curvy, it's the opposite with the IONIQ 9 compared to the EV9. We definitely prefer the latter, mind you. Hyundai has designed a more aerodynamic silhouette, which does help with range, but it’s one that’s more akin to a minivan than an SUV.

The plethora of pixels at both ends of the vehicle, the few unnecessary lines and the typically Korean, in-your-face metallic accents on the sides, as well as the seemingly truncated rear end aren’t so easy to like. The same goes for the gloss black trim applied to the fenders when selecting the Luxury package ($11,500), which incidentally is one of only two ways to get the panoramic sunroof that nicely brightens up the cabin, the other being the Ultimate Calligraphy package ($16,500).

The wheels range from 19 to 21 inches depending on the model, and standard content includes a power liftgate and handy roof rails. That’s great. You know what isn’t? The only body colour available with the base Essential RWD model (the one offering the longest range) or even the Preferred AWD+ model is a hideous Sunset Brown. On the other hand, the Nocturne Grey Matte option with both of the aforementioned packages is pretty handsome, while Ionosphere Green (pictured here) doesn’t look as garish as the Santa Fe’s Ocado Green.

A Peace Haven

Open the doors, and you’ll instantly find one of the best attributes of the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9: an ultra-welcoming, quiet, comfortable and versatile interior. There’s a combination of quality materials and varying textures that gives the cabin a more dynamic look and feel, although the optional two-tone trim is not really recommended for a family because of all those light grey surfaces that are easy to tarnish and damage. In fact, our press vehicle with barely 6,000 km on the odometer appeared as though it was already two years old. Consider yourself warned.

We loved the IONIQ 9’s super-practical centre console with a dual-opening armrest and sliding mechanism. Storage is plentiful all around and convenient. If your budget allows, the relaxation seats in the first two rows, which recline and offer a leg rest, as well as the Ergo-motion driver's seat, which can make slight posture adjustments and prevent aches and pains, are fantastic extras—including during charging sessions on the road.

The third row is comfortable enough to accommodate normal-sized adults or teenagers, if necessary, but is primarily intended for children. Our various passengers were able to attest to this. As for cargo, there is a large 620-litre trunk behind, larger than that of the new Palisade or the Kia EV9, so it has no real problem hauling a week's worth of groceries. Let's not forget the trunk under the front hood, which offers 88 or 52 litres of extra storage (depending on the number of motors) and is well suited to carrying a charging cable, emergency kit and a few tools.

Back up front, the dual 12.3-inch displays (supplemented by an optional head-up display) are clear and easy to use. The infotainment touchscreen is oriented toward the driver yet remains a bit out of reach, so you have to stretch. We’re grateful for the shortcut buttons and knobs below the screen.

On the other hand, the touch-sensitive climate and ventilation controls (except for the temperature settings) are not intuitive and cause distraction—as in the Santa Fe and Palisade. Visibility is mostly good all around, and a digital rearview mirror is available to make up for the slight lack of rear visibility.

Super-Smooth and Long-Lasting

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 shines with a very comfortable and quiet ride, even at highway speeds, thanks to a skillfully tuned suspension, excellent noise insulation and low-rolling-resistance Hankook iON evo tires. It compares favourably to some luxury SUVs costing considerably more.

The steering wheel, which is shared with its three-row siblings, could offer a slightly better grip in our opinion, but that's obviously no deal-breaker. The gear selector on the steering column and the practical steering wheel paddles for adjusting the level of regenerative braking are very much appreciated. Incidentally, one-pedal driving is possible and generally quite effective, although the system could be a tad smoother just before coming to a full stop.

Sure, there are more agile SUVs out there, but thanks to its low centre of gravity and firm enough steering (especially in Sport mode), the IONIQ 9 handles surprisingly well. For a large family, the RWD model seems to be rather short on power with 215 hp/258 lb-ft. We’d need another test drive to confirm that. Without a doubt, it's better to pay the extra $5,000 to upgrade to all-wheel drive and get either 303 hp/446 lb-ft or 422 hp/516 lb-ft depending on the model, particularly since the difference in range is minimal (from 539 km to 515 or 500 km). Having two motors also increases maximum towing capacity from 3,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs.

Our top-of-the-line IONIQ 9 Preferred AWD+ with Ultimate Calligraphy package didn't let its hefty weight of 2,729 kg and large 21-inch wheels hamper the driving experience or the range. Granted, the weather conditions were ideal, highway travel was limited to about a third of the test drive, and we didn't carry or tow any heavy loads, but we still recorded an average consumption of 20.2 kWh/100 km when Natural Resources Canada lists 24.7 kWh/100 km for this luxurious IONIQ 9. We could have covered more than 540 km in total. In fact, the computer suggested 544 km after a full charge. Impressive, we must admit.

Speaking of charging, Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP architecture continues to enable some of the fastest charging speeds in the industry. Capable of extracting up to 235 kW, the IONIQ 9's large 110.3kWh battery (compared to 99.8 kWh in the EV9) can go from 10-80 percent in 24 minutes—at least when plugged into one of the few 350kW public chargers available.

We took advantage of the fact that Hyundai's new electric SUV has a built-in NACS port (a CCS adapter is included) to connect it to a Tesla Supercharger. The process is quite user-friendly using Tesla's mobile app, although you have to know that not all Superchargers are compatible. Furthermore, while the Supercharger we used had a capacity of 250 kW, the maximum power drawn by our IONIQ 9, while remaining constant, did not exceed 121 kW due to a voltage difference between the vehicle's 800V system and the Supercharger's 400V system. Here, you’re looking at around 40 minutes to charge from 10-80 percent.

Our Verdict

Manufactured in South Korea for the Canadian market and not at the brand new Metaplant Georgia down in the U.S., the 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 certainly has an edge over the EV9 when it comes to battery capacity as well as interior convenience and luxury. It’s super-smooth and comfortable, too, with a driving experience that will satisfy the majority of families looking for a three-row SUV.

Pricing starts at $59,999 (MSRP) for a base Essential RWD model or $64,999 when opting for AWD. From there, the IONIQ 9 can get as expensive as 80+ grand. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy packages sure are tempting, but when you really think about it, a Preferred AWD model offers better value. The main problem is the high interest rates (currently a minimum of 4.99% when financing and 6.49% when leasing)—and the fact that the Kia EV9 gives you more for your money.